A double tall nonfat... what?
It's easy to find yourself bewildered by the string of modifications customers roll off their tongues as they frequent the block-apart coffee shops for their daily caffeine fix.
So I'm here to solve the problem! Even if you have no coffee lingo know-how, by the end of this lens you will be able to walk into a Starbucks and order like a pro!
So I'm here to solve the problem! Even if you have no coffee lingo know-how, by the end of this lens you will be able to walk into a Starbucks and order like a pro!
It all starts with COFFEE!
Believe it or not, there *is* a difference in the type of coffees that we can choose to drink these days. Though Starbucks coffee may not necessarily be the best there is, you'd be surprised how much better their coffee is than in most places.First of all, a lot of smaller coffee shops may roast a good bean, but a lot of times the coffee just isn't fresh. Why? Because many shops have no time standard - they will brew a batch and then let it sit until it is gone. At Starbucks, we have to re-brew a new batch of coffee every 30 minutes. And even though it makes for a lot of beeping timers and measuring coffee into filters, it makes for a good cup of coffee.
Secondly, we use good beans ground to the right proportion with specially filtered water. (DId you know the water filter system in every single Starbucks is filtered specifically the same way as the original store in Seattle? No joke. It's to create a consistency - with good water.)
But Starbucks just plain roasts good arabica beans. Don't believe me? Well don't just take my word for it! The easiest way to see the difference is to taste two different coffees side by side - you'll taste the difference immediately.
Books about Starbucks
The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/18/2009) 
How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
Amazon Price: $9.80 (as of 12/18/2009)
The Gospel According to Starbucks: Living with a Grande Passion
Amazon Price: $11.19 (as of 12/18/2009)
How to tell the difference between a caffeinated bean and a decaffeinated bean
Look at the bean. Is it oily and shiny? If so, your bean is caffeinated. If it is dull and not shiny, then is decaffeinated.That oil that you see is the same juice that helps you get out of bed in the morning!
So what's all this fuss about BOLD and MILD?
Simple. Milder coffees are roasted for a shorter amount of time than bolder coffees. But there's more to this science than meets the eye! A lot of people come into Starbucks and order a bold drip thinking they're going to get more caffeine per ounce. Not so.
Bolder coffees actually contain LESS caffeine than mild coffees do - the longer the bean is roasted, the less caffeine it has. So if you're looking for more caffeine - go for the mild! (Unless of course you just prefer the bolder flavor.)
Yum... I'd like a venti bold drip with room, please.
Bolder coffees actually contain LESS caffeine than mild coffees do - the longer the bean is roasted, the less caffeine it has. So if you're looking for more caffeine - go for the mild! (Unless of course you just prefer the bolder flavor.)
Yum... I'd like a venti bold drip with room, please.
Okay... why are the sizes such funny names?
Well it wasn't always like this you know. It all started with just two sizes: Short and Tall. Simple, easy. But 12 oz just wasn't enough coffee for Americans. So Starbucks invented....Grande! (Meaning large in Italian.) And this was good for a while. But then Americans decides 16 oz just wasn't enough, either. So, always adaptive, Starbucks created...
Venti! (Meaning twenty in Italian, for 20 oz.)
So there are your sizes... Short (8), Tall (12), Grande (16), and Venti (20.)
But don't worry - if that's still not big enough for you, you can bring in your own cup (any size) and we'll fill it for you. Not to mention you'll get 10 cents off your drink for saving a paper cup!
Do you like Starbucks?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
The heart of all the drinks... Espresso.
Do you know what espresso is? Lost of people do, but not all.Quite often people will walk into my store and try to order a grande espresso, not understanding that espresso cannot be a size, because it is not a drink.
Espresso is a thick, dense, caramelly-rich 1 oz shot of condensed coffee. It is created when finely ground dark coffee beans are compressed very tightly together and water is forced through those grounds inside a vacuum. You can drink it straight (though it can be rather too much for those who prefer sweet coffee with a lot of milk) or you can use it to create any of the many Starbucks drinks.
Ounce for ounce, espresso packs a lot more caffeine than coffee, for sure - but a tall cup of coffee will have more caffeine than a tall latte.
Funny name Trivia
The "Red Eye" is a cup of coffee with one shot of espresso added.
The "Black Eye" is a cup of coffee with two shots of espresso added.
A "Solo Espresso" is a fancy name for one shot of espresso.
A "Doppio Espresso" is a fancy name for two shots of espresso.
An "Espresso Macchiato" is espresso shots (however many you want is up to you) topped with a dollop of foam.
An "Espresso Con Panna" is espresso shots topped with a squirt of whipped cream. (Yum!)
The "Black Eye" is a cup of coffee with two shots of espresso added.
A "Solo Espresso" is a fancy name for one shot of espresso.
A "Doppio Espresso" is a fancy name for two shots of espresso.
An "Espresso Macchiato" is espresso shots (however many you want is up to you) topped with a dollop of foam.
An "Espresso Con Panna" is espresso shots topped with a squirt of whipped cream. (Yum!)
Starbucks Stuff on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
So what's a latte?
A latte is the next step from espresso to drink. It is a shot or shots of espresso (depending on size or preference) topped with steamed milk and a dollop of foam.The latte is essentially every espresso-based drink at Starbucks, in that they are all created from this simple framework. The fun comes in with all the modifiers.
Thanks a latte!
Bring on the modifiers!
Starbucks makes your drink the way YOU like it. We have a recipe that we start with, but you can modify it any way you want. So let me take you through those mysterious boxes on the side of the cup to help you get a feel for what you can do to make sure we make your latte exactly the way you like it. The Decaf Box
Okay, you really only have three choices here:- Caffeinated (which is the standard - any time you order a drink it will have caffeine by default, unless you ask otherwise.)
- De-caffeinated
- Half-caf
(And yes, you can indeed order one shot of espresso as half-caf.)
The Shots Box
Whether you want more espresso in your drink or less, just tell us how much and we'll put it in for you.
Number of shots to each size:
Short - one shot
Tall - one shot
Grande - two shots
Venti - two shots
Iced Venti - three shots
But we can make it a double (two shots) tall or a triple (three shots) grande or a quad (four shots) venti... or a single (one shot) grande if you like. As many shots you want, we will give (although we are required to warn you if you do order eight or more shots in one drink that it is not recommended and the risk you take is entirely your own.)
Number of shots to each size:
Short - one shot
Tall - one shot
Grande - two shots
Venti - two shots
Iced Venti - three shots
But we can make it a double (two shots) tall or a triple (three shots) grande or a quad (four shots) venti... or a single (one shot) grande if you like. As many shots you want, we will give (although we are required to warn you if you do order eight or more shots in one drink that it is not recommended and the risk you take is entirely your own.)
The Syrup Box
We have a great many syrups to choose from that you can add to your drink to sweeten it up and add flavor. I'll list the ones in season right now, but a lot of them change as the months roll by. For example, pumpkin spice is only around in the fall.Mocha
White Mocha
Chai Tea
Vanilla
Hazelnut
Toffee Nut
Raspberry
Peppermint
Caramel
Cinnamon Dolce
Classic (this is just sweetener with no flavor, used mostly in iced teas and iced coffee.)
Of these syrups, we also offer the following in without the sugar:
Sugar-free vanilla
Sugar-free hazelnut
Sugar-free caramel
Sugar-free cinnamon dolce
Knowing this, you could now order a vanilla latte. Or a raspberry mocha. Or a half-caf triple tall hazelnut latte. See it coming together?
Not only can you pick your own syrups, you can pick how much you want in the drink. You could get a three-pump white mocha with one pump of cinnamon dolce. Ahh, the possibilities are truly endless!
The Original Starbucks Logo
The Milk Box
You can also choose what type of milk you want in your drink. The standard is 2% milk, if you choose not to modify this one.We can do:
Whole milk
Nonfat milk
Soy milk
Breve (half-and-half)
The Custom Box
Ahh, the most ambiguous of all the boxes, this list will be the longest.- You can modify the temperature of your drink. The standard is 150-160F, but you can also try extra hot (170F), kid's temperature (120F), or just specify if you want a specific number.
- You can order a drink with or without whipped cream. Just the same, you can order it with or without foam on top. Or if you want just a little, you can get light whip, or light foam.
- For caramel lovers, we can top your drink with caramel drizzle, and if you like it a lot we can put extra caramel in the bottom of the cup for you, too.
- If you find your mocha or white mocha tends to be a tad syrupy when you get to the bottom every day, you can ask us to stir it after we're done making it. Though it doesn't entirely prevent the problem, it still improves the situation.
- If you want one raw sugar in your latte, or two splenda, or three sweet n low, or one equal, just let us know, we'll put it in for you so that you don't have to.
The Drink Box
And finally, the drinks themselves. We can make any of the espresso drinks hot or iced, and they taste delicious both ways.Here are some of the other typical drinks you might see someone order:
- Mocha: a latte with chocolate and whipped cream.
- White Mocha: a latte with white chocolate and whipped cream.
- Zebra Mocha: a latte with chocolate, white chocolate, and whipped cream.
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte - a latte with cinnamon sugar and whipped cream.
- Americano - espresso shots an hot water (a smoother, slightly milder coffee alternative; you can order this with or without room for cream.)
- Cafe Misto: (aka Cafe au lait) half coffee, half steamed milk.
- Caramel Macchiato: vanilla and steamed milk topped with a dollop of foam with the shots poured over the top and topped with caramel drizzle. (you can also order this "upside down" which means that the espresso is on the bottom, instead of on top, and takes away the layers of the drink making it sweeter from start to finish.)
Buy Your Own Syrups
Oscar's Premium Irish Cream Syrup, 25.4 Ounce Bottle (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $21.16 (as of 12/18/2009)
Stirling Gourmet Coconut Coffee Flavoring Syrup
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Stirling Gourmet Classic Vanilla Coffee Flavoring Syrup
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Stirling Gourmet Sugar Free Hazlenut Coffee Flavoring Syrup
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Stirling Gourmet White Chocolate Flavoring Syrup
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
So what's a skinny latte?
Well, skinny used to just mean nonfat (and still does at most other coffee shops) but Starbucks, as with everything, took a world standard and decided to change it to suit them.So if you go into a Starbucks and order your drink "skinny" that means you want them to make it nonfat and sugar-free, with no whipped cream. Because there are only four sugar-free syrups, only the following drinks can be ordered skinny:
- Skinny vanilla latte
- Skinny hazelnut latte
- Skinny cinnamon dolce latte
- Skinny caramel latte
Technically you could order a skinny caramel macchiato, too, except the caramel drizzle on top is not sugar-free.
Make your own espresso drinks
Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Make your own lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas with this Starbucks espresso machine.
What about non-coffee drinks?
We have those, too!- Chai Tea Latte: chai tea concentrate, steamed milk and foam.
- Green Tea Latte: green tea (matcha) and steamed milk, sweetened and topped with foam.
- London Fog Tea Latte: earl grey tea, vanilla, steamed milk and foam.
- Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte: vanilla rooibos tea, steamed milk, sweetened and topped with foam.
- Black Tea Latte: black tea, steamed milk, sweetened and topped with foam.
- Vanilla Creme: vanilla, steamed milk, foam or whip.
- Syrup Creme: any syrup of your choice, steamed milk, foam or whip.
- Hot Chocolate: chocolate, vanilla, steamed milk, whipped cream.
- White Hot Chocolate: white chocolate, steamed milk, whipped cream.
- Zebra Hot Chocolate: chocolate, while chocolate, steamed milk, whipped cream.
- Signature Hot Chocolate: european-style creamy truffle-like hot chocolate topped with whipped cream
- Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate: same as above, with toffee nut syrup and the whipped cream has yummy salted caramel drizzle on top.
- Caramel Apple Spice: Hot spiced cider with cinnamon sugar topped with whipped cream and caramel.
Oh, Frappuccino!
I won't go into a lot of detail about how these buggers are made, as they're mostly pre-made to begin with, but here's what you can do to make a these blended milkshake-like drinks your own.- Get it double or triple blended. (This will get rid of the ice chunks that you sometimes get.)
- Get light ice to make it thinner and more liquid-y, or extra ice to make it thicker.
- Get an add shot or two. (You can get this blended into the frappuccino, or floating on top to create a layered melty treat.)
- Get extra caramel drizzled into the bottom of your cup. It's to die for!
From Howard Schultz, Starbucks Founder
POUR YOUR HEART INTO IT: HOW STARBUCKS BUILT A COMPANY ONE CUP AT A TIME
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
It's Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Putting People First from a Life at Starbucks
Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 12/18/2009)
Winning and Reinvention with Howard Schultz and Ray Kroc
Amazon Price: $71.99 (as of 12/18/2009)
My Favorite Creations
I've been known to try some interesting concoctions at my store, and just about everyone loves my creations. You can try ordering these for yourself if you're feeling brave.- A tall vanilla bean frappuccino with a shot of espresso floating on top, with whip. (Creamy and delicious.)
- A salted caramel hot chocolate with 1/2 milk and only one pump of toffee nut. (Makes this drink creamier and not quite so strong. Allows the caramel to really stand out.)
- A cinnamon dolce syrup creme. (This tastes a lot like warm horchata!) Ask them to sprinkle the dolce sprinkles on top, it isn't the same without them.
- Cap'n Crunch frappuccino (I can't take credit for this one, it's a partner favorite that's been around for a long time, but it really tastes like the cereal!) It's a strawberries and cream frappuccino with toffee nut.
Starbucks Items
STARBUCKS COFFEE PINK STAINLESS STEEL TUMBLER MUG 12oz
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Starbucks Coffee BLUE TULIP Mug 16 oz 2007 Collection
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
Starbucks Interchangeable Seatbelt Belt Buckle!
Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)
And what exactly is Starbucks Gold?
Doesn't it seem like everyone is talking about this right now?Simply put a Starbucks Gold card is just like any other Starbucks Card - you can load it up with any amount from $5 - $500 dollars (or just leave it empty.) The difference is it doesn't have the same benefits as the other cards - it has one major benefit, though. For $25/yr (the cost of the card) you get a 10% discount on everything in the store except gift cards - this includes bags of beans, any drinks you buy, and any merchandise. If you go to Starbucks a lot, this is a sweet deal!
To sign up for one, just walk into any Starbucks and let them know you want to buy one.
Great Starbucks Lenses
-
Collecting Starbucks Coffee Mugs
-
Forbes magazine had an article recently about things to invest in.. given the possibility of inflation, paper money might decline in value. One of the article's suggestions was "trinkets".... I think Starbucks mugs might be just the right kind of tr...
-
Starbucks and Clover
-
On March 19, 2008, Starbucks announced it will acquire Coffee Equipment Company and its Clover technology. It is part of CEO Howard Schultz's strategy to bring Starbucks back to its roots: delivering the best coffee experience to customers. Now, is...
-
Starbucks Calories
-
Starbucks has so many food and beverages options. And that means many starbucks calories options too. What has less calories? A grande caffe mocha or the a vanilla latte? How should you choose your starbucks calories? Personally, I like my starbucks...
-
Confessions of a Starbucks Barista
-
I was told to come to squidoo to write about my passions, so here I am, world! In this, I'd like to tell you about my profession as a Starbucks Barista. I'll also explain a little bit about Starbucks lingo for all of you who order a "regular coffee,...
-
Addicted to Starbucks Coffee and the Starbucks Experience
-
Do you love the Starbucks experience? Do you crave Starbucks coffee? This lens is dedicated to bringing you and your cravings some online relief :) You will find Starbucks coupons, Starbucks merchandise and collectibles, Starbucks c...
Is Starbucks a good place to work?
Definitely! Starbucks pay starts above minimum wage, and if you work an average of 20 hours a week or more you have the ability to get full benefits, including dental, vision, and medical, as well as a 401k and stock options at below-market prices (though to be honest I haven't had reason to buy any in the last two years because the stocks just keep dropping and right now we can only buy it the same as everyone else.) Not to mention it's a fun place to work!! Plus you get a free pound of coffee every week and free drinks while you work and 33% off everything in the store.For the college student, this is the ideal place to work.
(Though to be honest with the falling economy it's a bit tougher of a workplace right now than it used to be. They're cutting so much coverage off the floor to try to save money but there's so few of us working at a time that we're basically having to do the work of three people at once (especially for us shifts) while still trying to just take care of the line out the door. So if you're wondering why it seems like the wait has gotten longer at Starbucks, it is because we're all working three times as hard just to do the same job, so try not to get too mad, we're all doing our best and we still just want to make you guys happy.)
Howard Schultz
60 Minutes - The Star of Starbucks (April 23, 2006)
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 12/18/2009)
Howard Schultz.
Do the baristas also draw the chalkboards?
Yes they do, sometimes stores will rotate through people, and other stores will have one or two artists that love doing the signs and always volunteer.
I love doing the signs at my store! Here's some of my work.
I love doing the signs at my store! Here's some of my work.
Anniversary Blend
Sumatra
Thanksgiving Blend
Christmas Blend
Starbucks and Clover
So what's this new clover machine that some Starbucks have anyway, and what's the big deal? Check out this great lens to learn more!-
Starbucks and Clover
-
On March 19, 2008, Starbucks announced it will acquire Coffee Equipment Company and its Clover technology. It is part of CEO Howard Schultz's strategy to bring Starbucks back to its roots: delivering the best coffee experience to customers. Now, is...
What do you think of this lens?
Got any other Starbucks questions for me?
I'll do my best to answer them for you.
submit
-
Reply
- papawu papawu May 8, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
- I have nothing against those who work at Starbuck's, but otherwise I think it is a place for trendy poser coffee elitists. I tend to slum it when it comes to coffee. You know, like , 7-eleven and Dunkin' doughnts and the like. I just find that Starbucks is simply overpriced and the coffee is never hot enough. This is all just my opinion of course. I could be wrong....but I don't think so.lol
-
Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Mar 13, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
- Quite an interesting lens on Starbucks -- Thanks for dropping by my Starbucks debate lens -- good job on the lens.
-
Reply
- mosaic mosaic Mar 13, 2009 @ 10:15 am
- This is a great lens! Thanks for visiting mine. I'm lensrolling this one onto my Starbucks Clover lens!
-
Reply
- lou16 lou16 Mar 12, 2009 @ 7:33 am
- A great lens, we don't have many starbucks where I live (I'm in Australia), but I do pop in when I'm on the Gold Coast - delicious!
by Tien
Hey there! :) Have a look around. If you like my lenses (or don't like them) let me know! Don't be shy, leave a comment and give them a rating. Much... (more)
Explore related pages
Starbucks Coffee Drink Recipes- Ahhh, Starbucks. There's no big chain coffee store that makes a better espresso....
Starbucks and Clover- On March 19, 2008, Starbucks announced it will acquire Coffee Equipment Company...
Which Espresso Machine Should I Buy ?- Full-bodied, aromatic, and flavorful -- espresso is a delight to the senses and...
THE WORLD'S BEST COFFEE MAKER : The Aerobie Aeropress- The Aerobie aeropress is brillant device for crafting fine coffee drinks.&...
Barista Training
- When using the term in English jargon, "barista" refers to one who has acquired...
The Coffee Shop- I've compiled some of the best sales and auctions on eBay and Amazon.com to give...
