Many of us enjoy a good cup of coffee, but if you’re anything like I was not too long ago, we’re not sure what makes a cup ‘good’. Maybe you’ve had some of these thoughts: “What’s the difference between an Americano and a cappuccino?” “I thought an iced coffee and an iced latte the same thing – why do they seem so different?” Or “I’ve heard that espresso is the best – but when I ordered a shot of esspresso, I was so disappointed.”
If you have had any of these thoughts, or other coffee-related questions, today’s post is for you! We are going to dive into the different coffee drinks we offer, explain what makes them different from each other, and offer recommendations based on your flavor preferences.
The first thing to discuss when it comes to the coffee topic is what the difference is between esspresso and drip coffee. While there’s no such thing as espresso beans, and both drinks come from the same kind of plant, the preparation process yeilds significantly different results. Drip coffee is what most people would make at home with the typical coffee maker – a fast-brewed coffee that ‘drips’ through a paper filter. We offer both a single origin dark roast from Papua New Guinea with savory notes of citrus and caramel, as well as an organic, single origin, medium roast from Guatemala that has notes of maple, orange, and chocolate.
Beans used for espresso are roasted darker and ground finer to create a stronger, often slighly more bitter flavor. It is then brewed fast, at a high temperature and pressure using an espresso machine, versus a coffee maker. The roaster we get our espresso from notes the flavor as soft, sweet, chocolatey, and nutty, but those flavors are subtle enought that you may have a hard time noticing them unless you are a coffee connoisseur.
Our standard shot size is 2 ounces – so whether you order a straight shot of espresso or an espresso-based drink, the amount of espresso remains the same. While some people do want a shot of espresso – it is not typically what you would go for when you’re looking for a cup of coffee to sip on. Think of it as an energy shot for a busy morning, versus a drink to enjoy more slowly. We would not recommend ordering a shot of espresso if you are not familiar with it or are new to coffee and looking to branch out. The serving size is quite small, the flavor is quite strong, and it may not make a great first impression.
We would, however, highly recommend any one of our espresso-based drinks, such as the latte or cappuccino, which we will discuss more fully below! *Please note – all of our espresso-based drinks can be made in 12 or 16 oz servings. Both sizes come with a standard, double shot of espresso (2oz). If you are looking for a stronger coffee flavor, a 12 oz is the best option. A 16 oz will give you more drink but will have a more mild coffee flavor and will be creamier. Unless, of course, you would like to add an extra shot of espresso which we can gladly do!
Espresso: A strong dark coffee brewed fast and at a high temperature and pressure. Our standard shot size is 2 ounces.
Latte: A milk-based espresso drink that can be enjoyed hot or iced. When hot, there will be a thin layer of micro-foam from steaming the milk. Drink it unflavored or with one of our house made syrups.
Breve: A breve is the same drink as a latte, but with half + half in place of milk, creating a creamier drink.
Cappuccino: A cappuccino is also a milk-based espresso drink, but it only comes hot and has a thick layer of micro foam. Because it is more frothy, it’s made with a little less milk than a latte and as a result has a slightly stronger coffee flavor. It is great with flavors, but is most often enjoyed unflavored.
Americano: A double shot of espresso poured over water and served either hot or iced. If you enjoy the flavor of espresso, an americano is a great option. The water doesn’t change the flavor but makes it easier to drink than straight espresso. It’s also a great option if you are looking for something with less caffeine than drip coffee.
Drip Coffee: A fast-brewed, paper-filter coffee.
Cold Brew: Cold brew is made by soaking coarsley ground beans in room temperature water for 18 hours, and then straining. This gives a less acidic and more mellow flavor. Always served over ice, it’s often enjoyed black but can also have cream and/or flavors added.
Iced Coffee: Iced coffee is made by serving cooled drip coffee over ice. There’s more coffee and much less milk than an iced latte. It’s perfect for those who don’t care for the espresso flavor. Enjoy as is or add any of our amazing house-made syrups.
Frozen Coffee: Frozen coffee is similar to an iced latte, but with cream in addition to the milk. Espresso, milk, cream, and ice blended to create an icy drink. Add any flavor if you wish.
Mocha: Served hot or iced, a mocha is like a latte with the addition of our house-made cocoa sauce.
There are a few other things to consider when ordering your coffee that can cause slight variations from drink to drink. We offer 3 milk option – whole milk, house made almond milk, and house made oat milk. Switching out the milk can change both the flavor and the texture of a drink.
Unless otherwise requested, our drinks are served with whole milk. This creates a richer, creamier texture and makes for the best frothing and latte art. For those who are dairy free, or just down to try something different, oat milk is a good replacement. The taste and texture is similar to whole milk, but it will be less creamy. Almond milk is a great low-calorie option, but the texture distinctly different. It is thinner, making frothing and latte art more difficult, and may have a slightly nutty flavor.
Finally, the sweetener you choose can make a significant difference in your drink. While most of our drinks our delicious without any sweetener (the cocoa sauce in our mocha comes already sweetened), we do offer maple syrup, raw local honey, and a variety of house made syrups. Honey has a slightly floral flavor while maple syrup has a rich, caramel-like flavor that blends well with coffee. We also have many different syrups – always house made with raw cane sugar (except sugar free options, when we use stevia or eyrithritol). Switching out any of these for an alternative will cause a slight variation in flavor.
We hope this helps you feel confident and informed when choosing your coffee order, so that you can always walk away with a drink that you love!
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