What is a Latte, Anyway?

One of the best things in life is savoring that first, awesome sip of sweet whipped-cream heaven that is a Mocha. It is easy enough to go to a coffee joint and read something off the menu like a zombie, but unless you have worked somewhere similar, deciphering that jumble of fancy words can be a little intimidating. Let’s get down to the basics so you can conquer the menu monster next time you want to curb your coffee craving.

Lets start with the basics:

• Coffee shops make most drinks with either drip coffee {the stuff you make at home} or espresso {little shots of super-strong dark coffee}, and milk.

Hot Drinks! Lattes, Cappuccinos, and Mochas, all have the same base ingredients: milk and espresso. You can then add either a thinner syrup flavor or a thick sauce to the drink, depending upon how sweet you like it. a. Lattes – milk + espresso + possibly a flavored syrup {vanilla, hazelnut, ect.} b. Cappuccinos – espresso + really frothy milk + possibly a flavored syrup {it will probably be at least half milk-froth} c. Mochas – milk + espresso + chocolate sauce or powder + possibly whipped cream. “Mocha” is itself a kind of darker chocolate. {Super sweet! You could also add other flavors, but they will charge you for a mocha because the sauce is more expensive.}
Cold Drinks! a. Iced drinks are essentially the same as the hot ones, but mixed with or poured over ice. b. Blended drinks usually have a sweet powdered coffee base rather than espresso, so that they will blend better and stay mixed longer. You can add any flavor you like to these so go ahead and make a mocha caramel hazelnut coconut monster and pile it high with whipped cream. Delish!

Here are some extra tips/tricks:

• Every coffee shop is different, so be sure to ask your barista for clarification if you have questions!

• You can add as many shots of espresso as you want to any of these drinks, as long as they fit! Just keep in mind that the more you add to blended drinks, the thinner you drink will be, because it will melt the ice.

• Many shops use skim milk as a base because it froths better and compliments syrups better, but you can specify the kind of milk that you want. Many even offer coconut, almond, and dairy-free.

• For a cheaper option order either a hot or an iced coffee and add cream + a syrup. It will be almost half the price, but not quite as tasty.

• Some coffee shops also have a thick caramel sauce. If your local shop does and you have a sweet tooth give my favorite a try: order an Iced white chocolate and caramel sauce mocha with whole milk and whipped cream. It will blow your tastebuds away!

Enjoy the day fellow coffee lovers!