After working in a coffee shop for over four years there is nothing I hate more than having customers come in like they know exactly what they are talking about when in reality they know nothing. So, here I will give you a variety of coffees that you can get at your local Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Dunkin, and wherever else you can find these lovely creations.
First, before I dive into the coffee, let’s start off with decent manners. I despise nothing more than people coming into the cafe like they are God’s grace and can’t give a simple “hello” before they start barking off their order, “yea, I need a Venti hot Mach-ee-otta with four shots, extra caramel, and no foam. Oh, and make that half-caf.” To be clear, “motch-ee-otta” isn’t even a thing, it’s a Macchiato, pronounced “moc-he-oto.”
So, if you want your barista to be nice to you, the right thing to do would be to say hello and continue on with the conversation. Let them ask you questions, let them try to help you. If you really don’t know what the hell you are doing when you order your drinks, just say so. We would much rather you ask us to explain something than to have you think you know what you want, order, and get the complete opposite of what you thought you were going to get. I can’t tell you how many times I have stood there and explained a few drinks to someone and they walked away satisfied, why? Because, they asked questions.
On the other hand, if you tell me exactly what you want with no hesitation, then I am going to ring you up, with no hesitation. If you then proceed to watch me like a hawk while I make said drink, give it to you, and then you tell me “oh, that’s not what I wanted, I wanted hot not iced.” I’m sorry, but did you not just watch me the entire time I made your iced beverage, and you didn’t think to tell me until I was done that you wanted a hot one? I can assure you, I may want to rip your head off at that point. Mistakes are always made, but if you watch someone grab a cup that is clearly used for an iced beverage, take a moment to clarify with your barista so we can both walk away happy.
Manners aren’t hard, saying “hello”, “may-I-please”, and “thank you”, are the beginning to a very happy exchange. Use the manners your parents taught you, or that I am teaching you, and I can assure you things may go much more smoothly for you.
Now that’s settled, let’s get down to the coffee-grind. Cheesiest pun you’ve ever heard? I know, but I couldn’t help myself. Let’s get started.
Your basic coffee- This, my friends, is the cheapest and easiest thing you could possibly order from just about anywhere. However, there are different roasts of coffee which give your coffee a different flavor. To keep things simple I am just going to tell you the four different, basic, types (Decaf, Medium, Light, and Dark.)
Decaf- Usually a medium roast coffee. Most places only carry one type of decaf. However, some might have a lighter roast of as well, just ask.
Medium roast- It is pretty much what it sounds like. It is the middle of the road flavor. It isn’t as “watered-down” tasting like most people consider the light roast, but has a nice balance between that and the dark roast which has a stronger, bolder flavor.
Light roast- This is one of my favorite regular coffees but it depends on your taste buds. This coffee actually has more caffeine than your regular medium or dark roast coffee. I know, mind blown. It is actually quite simple. The lighter the roast, the less caffeine. This is due to the fact that the longer the beans are roasted, the more caffeine is stripped from them. So, if you want a lighter flavor for your coffee, go with the light roast but just remember that it does have a little more caffeine than the medium roast you might be used to.
Dark roast- This is my least favorite. Personally, I hate the smell and taste of dark roast. In my opinion it smells like an ash-try. I know that sounds terrible but that is my take on it. However, if you like bold flavors I highly suggest trying the dark roast. As I was explaining before, this roast would have the least caffeine out of the three regulars (Light, Medium, Dark).
**If you want the coffee but not as much caffeine, or perhaps the caffeine but want the stronger flavor, ask your barista if you can do "half and half". For example, half regular, half decaf; half dark, half light. The latter of the two examples would give you the caffeine but also the bolder flavor of the dark.
Iced Coffee vs. Cold Brew Iced Coffee- These are both great iced coffee beverages. The main difference is the way they are brewed.
Regular Iced Coffee- This is mainly the same wherever you go, it is brewed double strength (usually medium roast), poured over ice and refrigerated.
Cold Brew Iced Coffee- Cold Brew is essentially steeped like tea. It is placed in a big filtered bag, tied, and immersed in cold water. From there it is set aside, kept at room temperature, to steep for as long as 10-20 hours. Depending on where you are getting it from determines how long it is steeped. Starbucks steeps theirs for 20 but their retail versions are for less time. As said before, just ask, that way you know how strong your caffeine/ flavor intake will be before you buy it. Cold brew is also diluted, unlike regular iced coffee, due to its concentrated caffeine. This gives it a lighter, smoother taste.
Lattes- These can be hot or cold, it is completely up to how you like your drinks. They are actually quite simple, they are just espresso and milk. You can add whatever flavoring you want to them. As always, ask how many shots of espresso go into your beverage because every place is different. Same goes for the type of milk. We use two percent milk in our lattes but I know some places use whole milk.
**Espresso is coffee, just another variation. Consider it like a smaller, concentrated version. One shot of espresso is approximately one quarter of a cup of regular coffee.
To break it down a little more-
*Hot lattes- Flavoring is added to your cup (if desired).
Total amount of shots of espresso are added.
A nicely steamed frothy milk is poured to about 1/4 inch from the top.
Topped with a slight layer of foam (frothed milk).
*Iced lattes- Flavoring is added to your cup (if desired)
Total amount of shots of espresso are added.
Cold milk is poured and topped with ice.
Cappuccino- Similar to a latte, but if you want a real cappuccino, it cannot be cold. It’s actually impossible. A cappuccino is an espresso beverage (like a latte) but with steamed milk half way up the cup. The rest of your cup is filled with a frothy layer of foam. This is another drink that you can add any flavor if you want to jazz it up a bit. However, just know that if you go somewhere and get a “frozen cappuccino” you aren’t really getting a cappuccino but probably a powdered mixture blended together
The break down- Desired shots of espresso.
Steamed milk half way.
Foam (frothed milk) topped off the rest of the way.
Macchiato- This is one of my favorites, but not quite the favorite. I like to explain this one as an upside-down latte. Macchiato means “marked with a shot”, so if you see this word then I can bet you the shot of espresso is sitting on top of the foam of your hot latte. That being said, your first sip with be the taste of espresso, followed by the frothy milk. There are other variations of this drink as well, the most popular being the Caramel Macchiato.
To break it down a little more-
*Hot Macchiato- Steamed milk is added directly to your cup.
Shots of espresso are poured on top of a slight layer of foam.
Caramel Macchiato- **Starbucks version- This is just one variation of the basic Macchiato but since it is so popular I figured I would add it in. This is made the same as the regular macchiato except for the fact that there is a vanilla syrup added to the bottom of your beverage and a caramel drizzle circled and zig-zagged on top of the espresso and foam. The caramel will be the first thing you taste with this version, followed by the espresso and milk, finished with the sweet vanilla flavor at the end.
*Hot Caramel Macchiato- Vanilla syrup is added to your cup.
Steamed milk is added until 1/2 and inch from the top along with a slight layer of foam.
Espresso is "marked"
Caramel drizzle is circled around the rim two times. Followed by a layer of zig-zags crisscrossed in a hatched pattern.
**If you take your first sip and you think it's "too strong" please stir it. If you are used to a regular latte, the first thing you usually taste is the milk, and the espresso later. I assure you the reason it might taste "strong" is because the first thing you drank was the espresso. Please try it again after you stir it, if it is still not to your liking, let us know and we will do what we can to make it perfect for you.
Frappuccino- These, my friends, are both a love and hate for me. Frappuccinos can be with or without coffee and you can add whatever flavor you want, just like the others I listed above. The reason why I love these are because they are a deliciously cold beverage when it is hot out. I hate them because they are very sweet and tasty but filled with calories; but who's counting, right?
Easiest way to explain these is that they are a blended ice beverage that can come with the added “instant coffee mixture” or it can come without so you can enjoy it with the kids. Or, as I failed to mention earlier, you can ask for decaf. If you’re looking for something cold with a small amount of milk and caffeine (if at all) I say go ahead and try out the Frappuccino. This is what I consider closely related to those beverages that they try to claim as “frozen cappuccinos”, just without the powder.
**Decaf shots can be added to your beverages of any kind depending on the place you are at. The one main thing that is difficult to get decaffeinated is Chai. As always, ask your barista.
Chai- My favorite beverage ever. This is certainly one of those drinks that is different everywhere you go. Some places, like Dunkin, make their Chai very sweet and from a powdered form. Some use a tea-bag, and some use a concentrate. As for Starbucks’ Chai, they use a concentrate for the most part which is then diluted with water (if made hot). If you purchase a Chai from Starbucks you will receive a beverage that is (in my opinion) equally sweet as it is spicy.
For those of you who don’t know, real Chai is a black tea with different spices added to make it a subtly sweet and spicy beverage, slight emphasis on the spicy.
When I get Chai I always add flavors to it and ask them to keep out the added water. This makes it creamier yet leaves the spicy after-taste. Each time I have gotten it with the water I have noticed it is a little too “thin” and not as spicy for my liking. If you get an iced Chai, however, the water will not be added due to the fact that there will be ice in it. As you can probably gather, the ice acts as the water and therefore dilutes the beverage. If you would like, you can ask for more Chai concentrate or ask for less ice.
**Always keep in mind that most places have dairy substitutes now, including soy and coconut milk. We can also give you less ice in your iced beverages, steam your milk to a lower temperature so it’s not as hot, and add almost anything you would like to your drink (within reason of course).
So, as I have been preaching throughout this guideline, always ask your barista if you have any questions. We are more than happy to help you find the perfect drink. Please don’t wait until after we have already gone through the whole process just to find out that it is the exact opposite of what you wanted. Ask all your questions before we complete your transaction so we can all walk away satisfied.
I hope this has helped narrow down your search for the perfect drink! Keep in mind that not every place is the same but this is definitely a basic start to your creation. Ask questions, learn, and create. Some of the best drinks are made up by people who brainstorm along with the barista. Give it a shot!
P.S. It never hurts to use good manners. We will always use ours as long as you give us the same in return.
Good luck with your next cup!
