Have you ever wandered into a local coffee shop and stood staring at the chalkboard menu thinking, “How in the world do I choose?” We certainly have, many times! It’s become routine to just say I’ll have what she’s having and wish for the best. Starting today, we vow to educate ourselves in the coffee lingo and order in confidence. The baristas at Lula’s Coffee Co. shared inside scoop on how to make our coffee purchase less stressful and more enjoyable.
Q&A with Lula’s Coffee Co. barista team:
First off, tell us a bit about the traditional drinks you’ll find at a coffee shop.
ESPRESSO – Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee. Small, strong “shots” are made through an intense extraction process- quickly forcing water through finely ground coffee beans. If you like strong coffee, you may enjoy having an espresso on its own. Or if you’re looking for a little caffeine boost, you can add a shot of espresso to your favorite coffee beverage.
AMERICANO – An Americano is espresso that has been poured over, or been diluted with hot water. It is similar to a traditional brewed cup of coffee, but has a different flavor due to the difference in the extraction process.
LATTE – A caffé latte, or “latte” for short, is an espresso based drink that is topped off with steamed milk and a layer of creamy, smooth foam called micro-foam.
CAPPUCCINO – A cappuccino is similar to a latte. However, the cappuccino is traditionally a drink of thirds… equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
MACCHIATO – Essentially, a macchiato is made the same way as a latte but in a different order. In Italian, it literally means “stained” or “spotted”, which refers to the method of preparation wherein the milk is “stained” by the addition of espresso.
MOCHA – A cafe mocha is made with chocolate, espresso, steamed milk, and is often topped with whip cream and chocolate drizzle. Beyond the traditional chocolate based mocha, we also have the option for a white chocolate mocha. Warning: once you try it, you may be hooked!
Tell us about the different flavors that can be added to coffee and what flavor goes best with what.
At Lula’s we have about 30 different flavors that can be added to any drink. This may include hot or cold espresso beverages, brewed coffee of the hot or cold variety, any of our frozen beverages or even our teas. Some flavors are a match made in heaven (peppermint and mocha or vanilla and hazelnut) while others might be best left to the wild and daring (banana, cayenne, or lavender anyone?). The best thing to know is that our knowledgeable baristas will be able to guide you to the perfect beverage based on your flavor preference.
Which drinks can be iced or served cold?
While we are still a few months away from those hot summer days, there is a wide variety of options for a cold refreshing beverage. You can get any espresso based beverage served over ice, try a frappe blended beverage, get a fruit smoothie, cool down with an iced tea, or try the smooth and refreshing taste of our cold brew which is a customer favorite!
What options are available to make a drink with less sugar, or lower calories?
If you’re setting some New Year’s resolutions while still trying to get that motivation to wake up in the morning, we offer four (4) sugar-free flavor options; vanilla, hazelnut, caramel and white chocolate, as well as many alternatives to whole milk for a low calorie treat. Those options include nonfat milk, almond milk, and soy milk.
What’s the best option for regular coffee drinkers that want to try something new?
If you’re looking for a special treat while you’re meeting with friends or getting out to support your local non-profit coffee shop like Lula’s, our baristas can help you make the right selection! And if it doesn’t taste just right, we will make sure you find the drink that is perfect for you. Our suggestion: a flavored latte is a rich and creamy treat with just the right balance of coffee (and caffeine) and sweetness to make your day extra special.
