Is there a website that explains all the coffee drinks?

[katerkat]

I know, they should give you a pamphlet as soon as you cross the Washington State border, but.... Is there any place that explains every drink, hot and cold, coffee and mocha and fraps?

I had a gingerbread latte earlier this week that was a hot drink, and a caramel latte today that had ice in it. It's cold out so I was expecting another hot drink!

 

[Annette_VA]

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/beverages.asp

 

[lulugirl]

I wish there was a guidebook, Starbucks makes me nervous!
I never know what to order, so I just get plain coffee!

 

[chell]

I wish there was a guidebook, Starbucks makes me nervous!
I never know what to order, so I just get plain coffee!

Sometimes I just want to go up to them and say give me something hot and sweet since I don't have a clue as to what is what.

 

[lulugirl]

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/beverages.asp

Ahhhh.... you da man! (I mean the woman...)
I am going to study so I can expand my Starbucks horizons!

 

[lulugirl]

Sometimes I just want to go up to them and say give me something hot and sweet since I don't have a clue as to what is what.

Seriously, ordering at Starbucks causes me more anxiety than childbirth...

 

[katerkat]

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/beverages.asp

Hmmm - so a latte can be iced or hot? So why did she give me an iced caramel latte if I just asked for a caramel latte? Is caramel in a hot latte gross and she was saving me from disaster? I just wanted something hot and sweet!

And lulu - our little coffee shops are way worse than Starbucks. There's at least 25 syrup choices and 20 beverages listed!!

 

[singingpixie]

If you just ordered a caramel latte, you're right, it should have been hot! One can order any of the drinks iced, however, and it's basically the same ingredients but cold. Here's a basic breakdown based on my working in coffee shops through college:

Espresso: Strong coffee brewed from finely ground coffee beans
Cappuccino: Espresso with foamed milk
Latte: Espresso with steamed milk, very little foam
Mocha: same as a latte, with chocolate
Caramel/Vanilla/Gingerbread/etc Latte: same as a latte, with flavored syrup
Caramel/Vanilla/Gingerbread/etc Cappuccino: same as a cappucino, with flavored syrup

All of these drinks are traditionally served hot, but can be iced (cold with ice cubes)
Frappucinos are made with a coffee-flavored mix, ice, and flavored syrups, then blended so they are like a smoothie. They also carry non-coffee flavors

now for extra credit:
Cafe au Lait/Misto: half regular coffee, half steamed milk
Macchiato: Espresso poured on top of foam, no milk
Caramel Macchiato (Starbucks): really not much to do w/ a Macchiato, it's basically a vanilla cappuccino with lots of caramel sauce on top.
White Mocha: same as a mocha but with white syrup instead of traditional chocolate.

Any other oddballs you want explained?

 

[tar heel]

I don't believe the flavored lattes at Starbucks are made with flavored syrup but rather with flavored espresso. I've watched them make them way too many times, but I still could be wrong.

 

[katerkat]

If you just ordered a caramel latte, you're right, it should have been hot! One can order any of the drinks iced, however, and it's basically the same ingredients but cold. Here's a basic breakdown based on my working in coffee shops through college:

Espresso: Strong coffee brewed from finely ground coffee beans
Cappuccino: Espresso with foamed milk
Latte: Espresso with steamed milk, very little foam
Mocha: same as a latte, with chocolate
Caramel/Vanilla/Gingerbread/etc Latte: same as a latte, with flavored syrup
Caramel/Vanilla/Gingerbread/etc Cappuccino: same as a cappucino, with flavored syrup

All of these drinks are traditionally served hot, but can be iced (cold with ice cubes)
Frappucinos are made with a coffee-flavored mix, ice, and flavored syrups, then blended so they are like a smoothie. They also carry non-coffee flavors

now for extra credit:
Cafe au Lait/Misto: half regular coffee, half steamed milk
Macchiato: Espresso poured on top of foam, no milk
Caramel Macchiato (Starbucks): really not much to do w/ a Macchiato, it's basically a vanilla cappuccino with lots of caramel sauce on top.
White Mocha: same as a mocha but with white syrup instead of traditional chocolate.

Any other oddballs you want explained?

Thanks!!

So how do you know what's good?

 

[singingpixie]

I don't believe the flavored lattes at Starbucks are made with flavored syrup but rather with flavored espresso. I've watched them make them way too many times, but I still could be wrong.

Nope, it's definitely flavored syrups. There are a bunch of little squirt bottles next to the espresso machine that go into the cup before the espresso (at least that's how you're supposed to make them).

 

[mickeyboat]

I had Starbucks this morning, and saw the squirt bottles of flavoring - one was pumpkin spice.

I don't drink coffee - but I love chai! Chai latte with skim - yum! I also like iced chai.

Denae

 

[singingpixie]

Thanks!!

So how do you know what's good?

It really depends on what you like- how sweet you want your drink, etc. Some people don't like the flavored syrups because they find them too sweet, but if you liked your gingerbread latte you should be fine- that's one of the sweeter-tasting ones. Just pick a flavor you tend to like in general and try that kind of latte.

In general, they're all good- they just appeal to different people's tastes. I have a friend who LOVES coconut, so she loves coconut lattes. To other people, that sounds disgusting! It's just an excuse to go blow lots of money on $5 cups of coffee, so you can try them all till you find what you like!

And if you want my recommendations, my favorites are white mochas and caramel lattes.

 

[cardaway]

"Can I please just have some coffee flavored coffee please!"

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Ok, now I have to pee.

 

[LiteBrite]

Ok, now I have to pee.

You go ahead, Meatball, we'll wait for you.

While we're waiting... what does Breve mean?

 

[katerkat]

"Can I please just have some coffee flavored coffee please!"

And you call yourself a Washingtonian.

 

[singingpixie]

You go ahead, Meatball, we'll wait for you.

While we're waiting... what does Breve mean?

Breve means that it's made w/ half and half instead of milk- that's some rich drink!

 

[JennyMominRI]

Believe it or not Rhode Island consumes more coffee per capita than any other state....There are so many Dunkin DOnuts here that ANY set of directions usually involves,Drive down Post Road until you see the DUnkin Donuts,turn left, Drive until you see another Dunking Donuts...Make a right at the Stop and Shop with the Duking Donuts in it and make another right..My house is on the next corner behind Dunking Donuts ..Oh and pick me up a Iced Cwafee on your way.

 

[cardaway]

And you call yourself a Washingtonian.

Starbucks stock has been very good to me but I'm not a big fan of flavored coffee.

I prefer their house blend over anything that comes in a can or jar, so I think I can safely stay in the area.