Sometimes, going to a coffee shop can be a bit intimidating and confusing. Seeing the extensive string of Italian words scribbled on a chalkboard makes deciding what you want to order (let alone understanding what’s actually in them) no easy feat. Here’s my guide to understanding coffee and having the confidence to modify your order to get exactly what you want.
I love coffee. I’ve been an avid coffee drinker since the 8th grade, I’ve worked as a barista for two years, I am constantly on the hunt for the best cup of coffee I can find. There are times I’m in the middle of a cup of coffee and I start craving my next cup. Some may say I have a problem. To them, I say I have a passion.
There are several ways to modify your beverage to make it yummier, healthier, and even cheaper. That being said, knowing what is in your drink is the first step to figuring out what you like versus what you don’t.
Straight-up Coffee
Straight-up coffee is simply the product of hot water and finely ground coffee beans. This is the stuff you can make at home for fairly cheap. You can get a coffee pot and brew a pot or invest in a Keurig machine to do individual cups.
Pro Tip: get a large hot coffee in the morning and as the day progresses, after you’ve consumed half and it’s cooled down, get an ice cup and pour in your coffee to enjoy for the whole day!
Café au lait
A café au lait is ½ brewed coffee and ½ steamed milk. This tends to be a super underrated drink. Typically, they are much cheaper than a latte and taste almost the same.
Pro Tip: get steamed half and half in your café au lait for an indulgent, delicious treat.
Cold brew
Cold brew is coffee that is brewed cold (go figure). In doing this, the coffee retains more caffeine and overall has a less acidic and more smooth taste. It’s not as well-known as other types of coffee, but it has become trendier over the past few years.
Pro Tip: Buy a large cup to drink throughout the day. Later on, stick your leftovers in the freezer in ice cube trays. You can use them for so many things. You can make your own DIY Frappuccino or you can add them to iced coffee so it doesn’t get watered down.
Espresso shots
Espresso shots are much more caffeinated units pulled from ground espresso beans. They are 1 fluid ounce for a single shot and 2 fluid ounces for a double. These bad boys are added to lattes and mochas but they can be taken on their own as well (if you’re a hardcore bad ass).
Pro Tip: If you are super busy, get espresso shots. You take them down the hatch and don’t have to worry about carrying a cup around.
Americano
Americanos are made with hot water and espresso shots. These are less yummy than lattes because they are made without flavors or milk of any kind. This is probably the healthiest option (next to black coffee) that you can get. Calorie wise, you’re looking at approximately 10 calories total.
Pro Tip: ask for an Americano with steamed half-and-half and caramel drizzle for a less expensive take on a caramel latte!
Latte
Lattes are espresso shots and steamed milk. Typically, you can get crazy with them and add flavors and sauces and sprinkles. These ones are more expensive than the Americanos or straight up coffee, but they tend to go down easier if you are not a huge coffee drinker.
Pro Tip: for a healthier option that still tastes pretty sweet, a soy latte is a great choice. For an iced option, a coconut milk latte is super bomb. They are just sweet enough and oddly don’t taste like coconut, so if you’re not into that, no worries.
Cappuccino
Cappuccinos are our first step into the pretentious coffee world. It is typically comprised of espresso shots, 2/3’s steamed milk, and 1/3 milk foam. HOWEVER, some people really dig foam. They get the entire milk base of the drink in foam. We in the coffee business call this ‘dry’. On the other hand, there are people who want all steamed milk and no foam (which to the viewers at home is, in fact, a latte, but it’s fine).
Pro Tip: if you want an ‘iced cappuccino’, do your barista a favor and call it an iced latte, because it’s the same thing.
Frappuccino
My heart says yes, but my thighs say no. These are literally just sugar and milk in a cup. Seriously. Though they are really, really, ridiculously delicious, they are terrible for you. Drink responsibly, my friend.
Pro Tip: Substitute the milk with a dairy alternative instead. It will lessen some of the sugar and fat, and you cannot even tell a difference in taste.
Mocha
Mochas are espresso and steamed chocolate milk. Flavors can and should be added to these bad boys, and oh boy, it gets good. Peppermint, Salted caramel, white chocolate, coconut, and so much more! The possibilities are endless!
Pro Tip: get a caramel mocha with almond milk and it tastes like fall in a cup.