Order Coffee

When you order coffee, are you continually surprised by what comes out at the pick-up window? Don't worry, with just a little bit of knowledge, you'll be on your way to "caffeine city" in no time.

Steps

  1. Order the size of your coffee. Stick to the terms small, medium or large for brewed coffee and single, double or triple for Pull a Shot of Espresso drinks. When ordering espresso drinks, usually, a small comes with 1 shot of espresso, a medium comes with 2 shots, a large comes with 3, though you can ask for any amount of shots in any size cup. If you want something unusual, like 3 shots in a small cup, be sure to specify. If you are at an independent coffee house, do not speak Starbucks language. Everyone knows the terms small, medium, and large, but not everyone knows the terms tall, grande, and venti. Tall is an especially confusing term, as at many coffee houses, it means a larger cup size than typical (ie. one espresso shot in a large cup may be called a "single tall" drink.) An unadvertised short at Starbucks exists which is 8 ounces.
  2. Ask for decaffeinated coffee if that is what you want; emphasize, if necessary, that you want a decaf coffee. Most of the fancy drinks can be made with decaf, so ask.
  3. Be prepared for milk-free coffee. Restaurants and coffee shops in North America generally serve coffee without milk already added. (There are regional exceptions - a "regular" coffee in Manhattan will contain cream and sugar.) Coffee houses usually have a self-service stand with sugar and cream or milk - as well as other additions such as cinnamon - that you can add to your coffee if so desired.
  4. Specify the type of milk and coffee you'd like for espresso drinks: decaf, low fat, whole or non-fat.
  5. Decide how you want your milk.
    • If you want no milk at all, you want an Espresso.
    • If you want just a dab of foam, you want a Macchiato (mock-e-ah-to).
    • One part foam and one part milk is a 'Cappuccino'.
    • Mostly foam is a 'dry Cappuccino' and all foam is an "extra-dry cappuccino".
    • A lot of milk and a little foam is a latte.
    • A lot of milk and no foam is a flat latte.
    • A mocha is a latte with chocolate syrup.
    • Brewed coffee with steamed milk is a café au lait.
    • An Espresso with whipped cream is a Con Panne.
  6. Think also about what type of milk you want: whole, non-fat, soy, organic, half and half (breve), or heavy whipping cream.
  7. Add a flavoring to taste. If you like, order a flavoring. Chocolate, vanilla, caramel and hazelnut are the most popular.



Tips

  • In busy places that announce your name or drink when it comes up, or write it on your cup, please make sure you listen closely and grab the right drink. Taking someone else's drink will only cause everyone more trouble. Just ask if you are unsure.
  • Be aware that Starbucks is very different than independent coffee houses, mostly in the language they use. If you regularly order a drink at Starbucks, don't think that you will get the same thing if you use the same language at another shop. A good example is their "Caramel Macchiato", which isn't really a macchiato at all, it is more a vanilla latte. (A brilliant brand-recognition marketing move on their part, a huge headache for the rest of the coffee-serving world.) Take time to look at the menu if you go somewhere different, and feel free to ask questions if you are unsure of anything. Most baristas would prefer to answer questions about their drinks than try to decode Starbucks-speak.
  • Don't forget to tip your barista. It takes knowledge and skill to run the perfect shot and foam milk just right. If you want your favorite coffee house to keep good baristas (so you can keep getting great lattes,) show them you appreciate them.
  • All coffee servers know the terms small, medium, large, single, double and triple. Even the ones who work at Starbucks.
  • Software can make this process far easier than traditional ways. iPhone apps such as "Coffee Order" take all of the trouble out of ordering complex drinks.

Warnings

  • Caffeinated coffee is always the default. If you prefer decaffeinated, ask for it.

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