Guide To Ordering Coffee

Guide To Ordering Coffee - First of all, if there’s a line at the coffee shop, make your selection before you get to the head of the line.

If you don’t, you’ll piss off the barista (the café equivalent of a bartender) and everyone else in line behind you, not to mention looking like a complete noob.

Ordering coffee is almost a universal language:
Guide to ordering coffee

So, take a hint, get a clue, or whatever else it is you need to realize you are not the only person on the planet.

Other people in line behind you will appreciate it if you learn how to order coffee in a timely manner.

How to order coffee

Pictorial Guide to Coffee Terms:

Americano: espresso and water

Café Au Lait: drip coffee with steamed milk
aka Flat White : espresso with steamed milk

Caffe Breve: espresso and steamed half-n-half

Caffe Latte: espresso and steamed milk

Caffe Mocha: espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate

Cappuccino: espresso and foamed milk

Espresso: Shot of espresso only

Espresso Con Panna: shot of espresso with whipped cream

Espresso Macchiato: shot of espresso with a dollop of foam

If you don’t know what you want, you’re gonna create a huge line:
Huge line at Starbucks

Ordering Tips:

Most of the drinks listed above can also be made iced.
If you don’t want caffeine, ask for decaf, or half-caf. Half-caf means half of the espresso is caffeinated, and the other half is decaffeinated.
If you don’t want milk, ask for soy milk.

What is espresso?
Espresso is prepared by forcing pressurized steam through finely ground dark-roast coffee beans. The very creation of espresso is an art form in Italy and other coffee-loving countries.

Think of it as extra strong, really concentrated coffee. Want your chosen coffee drink stronger? Order another shot or two of espresso.

What is cappucino?
A cappuccino is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. The drink is usually six ounces or two ounces of each ingredient. Cappuccinos are also unsweetened unless you specify otherwise.

Other coffee terms worth knowing:

Drip coffee: good, old-fashioned brewed coffee
Dry: more foam
Skinny: made with skim milk
Steamer: steamed milk with syrup
Wet: less foam

Coffee Pronunciation Guide:

Americano: uh-mer-i-kan-oh
Cafe Breve: caf-ay brev-ay
Caffé Latte: caf-ay lah-tey
Caffé Mocha: caf-ay moh-kuh
Cappuccino: kapp-oo-chee-noh
Espresso: ess-press-oh
Espresso Macchiato: ess-press-oh mock-e-ah-toe
Espresso con Panna: ess-press-oh kon pawn-nah

So, now you know what your coffee choices are and how to pronounce them. Sling in a “skinny” or toss in a “dry” when you place your order and you’ll be accepted as a coffee cognescenti.

Crowded line at Starbucks order counter