How to Order Coffee
Gone are the days of a simple cup of coffee at the diner. Today's coffee is different than the drink of the past, with espresso-based concoctions vying for prominence next to old-fashioned drip coffee. Take a moment to demystify the coffee-ordering process and speed up your next trip to the coffee counter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Decide whether you want normal drip coffee or an espresso-based drink. Keep in mind that hot drinks can often double as iced options if you ask, and that espresso drinks almost always cost slightly more than drip coffee.
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If purchasing an espresso-based beverage, select the type of milk you would like in the drink, along with the number of espresso shots. In increasing milk content order, drinks range from machiatto to cappuccino to latte. Milk varieties include soy, skim and whole, with the rich breve using half-and-half.
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For drip coffee, select one of the brewed varieties that are available from the menu selection. Often, brewed coffees come in a range of flavors; many cafes can also add a shot of flavored syrup for a fee. You also have the option of ordering decaffeinated coffee, if you'd like.
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Choose a serving size. Although many shops still sell coffee with the normal small, medium and large sizing, the Starbucks chain uses the words short, tall, grande and venti. Some stores allow customers free refills for drip coffee on certain sizes, so ask when purchasing if you think one cup won't be enough.
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Tell the barista if you'd like any extras added to the coffee, such as syrup, whipped cream or nutmeg.
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Add cream, sugar or sweetener to your drink, if desired. If your drink contains syrup, taste it before adding any additional sweetening items; often, they're sweet enough as is.
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Tips & Warnings
For an espresso-based drink that tastes just like drip coffee, try an Americano, which is a quantity of fresh, hot water combined with an espresso shot.
If ordering drip coffee, check to see that the beverage is steaming and fresh in the decanter. Brewed coffee can sometimes become stale if left for too long. Never be afraid to ask for a freshly brewed pot of coffee.
