Anyone who knows me knows about my love for coffee and tea. As a natural introvert, I love the idea of being able to go somewhere aesthetically pleasing, watch my surroundings and simply breathe-- uninterrupted. Not only can coffee be enjoyed by yourself, but it can also serve as a great activity for a small group of people. What could be better?
Within the past year, I've been introducing my friends more and more into my coffee colored world, but with one, repeated dilemma... they don't know what to order. Full of long, italian sounding words, phrases like 'pump' and 'shot', and strange size names, coffee menus can be overwhelming and confusing. Or-- even worse-- sometimes there isn't even a menu in sight. So, how do you know what it's saying? And how do you know what you'll like?
So, let's break down coffee shop menus-- from the extra shots to the additional pumps.
tip one // the basics
In the words of Maria from The Sound of Music, "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...". Ordering coffee starts with knowing what you're getting into. What is espresso? Is it different from just plain coffee? Does it matter how much foam there is on top? For goodness' sake, who care what kind of milk?!
First thing first: espresso and coffee are very, very different. It's like comparing grape juice to red wine-- normal, brewed coffee just can't compare. Espresso is made by forcing very hot water through finely ground coffee beans at high, high pressure. This means that espresso had a richer, more bitter taste and a much thicker consistency. Brewed coffee is similar, except the temperatures and pressures are relatively lower; thus, brewed coffee is less rich in taste and thinner in consistency.
Ok, so we've covered what's in the drinks. But... what are they?
Sometimes, pictures explain things better than words ever could, which is why I chose to use this infographic from coffeeontheside.info. Take a look at how they break down specialty drinks:
tip two // know your roast
Different coffee shops use different coffee beans-- usually called "roasts"-- to make their drinks, which it why you might like one vanilla latte more than another. Think about it this way-- all bottled water is bottled water, but Dasani tastes different from Ice Mountain. Additionally, many coffee shops have different kinds of roasts by the same provider, or "roaster". Usually, there are around three roasts-- light, medium and dark. At Starbucks, their light roast is called "blonde roast" or "blonde espresso". Contrary to popular belief, the lighter the roast the more the caffeine level. Usually, lighter roasts have a sweeter, more nutty flavor while a darker roast have a darker, more bitter tone.
tip three // chain v.s. local
A definite thing to keep in mind when ordering coffee is to know where you are. Chain coffee shops, particularly Starbucks, tend to make their drinks sweeter than local coffee shops. A general rule of thumb is to expect a chain coffee shop to make drinks around 20% sweeter than a local coffee shop would, unless you specifically note otherwise.
tip four // specifications
The perk about coffee shops is that your drink is made to order-- so you can ask for whatever you'd like! Going cold? Ask for "light ice" to get more drink and less, well... ice. Want a little pizzazz? An extra shot of espresso can make your drink have a deeper flavor profile and another kick of caffeine. Want it a little sweeter? Request an extra pump of vanilla. Like your drink on the brink of boiling like I do? Ask for it to be made 'extra hot'. With a little tweaking over time, you can create a drink that's 100% perfect just for you.
tip five // here's the tea...
Why limit yourself to just coffee? Some of my personal favorite drinks include craft teas as well. Although these flavors aren't everyone's cup of tea (ha... see what I did there?), they do make great options for the days you aren't craving coffee. Here are some great options:
Matcha// This one is a tad bit of a risk (but what's life without adventure, right?!). Matcha is one of those things you either love or hate-- no inbetween. I really like iced matchas with raspberry flavor. I think it tastes wonderful... some of my friends think it tastes like grass. Matcha is just one of those flavors you don't know you'll like until you try!
Earl Grey Latte// Called a London Fog at Starbucks, Earl Grey Lattes taste more floral than herbal and are less flavorfully intense than lattes that are traditionally made with espresso.
Chai Tea Latte// One of my go-to favorites, Chai Tea is sharp and dynamic. Both sweet and a tad bit spicy, Chai Tea Lattes cover it all. Plus, it tastes absolutely stunning both hot and iced. Personally, I love adding espresso to chai to get the best of all worlds: sweet, rich and spicy all in one.
tip six // why pick?
Feeling a little adventurous? Have your drink be a surprise! Feel free to tell a barista: "Hey, I don't really know what I want today, but I know I want something hot and with espresso (or, whatever your preferences are). Could I have your favorite drink on the menu?" This is a great way to expand your drink repertoire and jump a little out of your comfort zone.
Remember, trying something new is the only way you can figure out what you like-- so go for it! Eventually, you too can master these confusing coffee shop menus.