Sorry, I Don't Speak Coffee

by Christine Chan — May 26, 2008

Ordering coffee at a coffee shop is no longer a simple task. And it doesn't help when you hear the person in front of you calmly rattle off, "I'd like a tall extra hot half-caf skinny vanilla latte with extra whip." Here's a guide to language of coffee so that you can order your perfect cuppa joe.

• Americano--Drink made with two shots of espresso and hot water
• Cappuccino--Coffee drink made of espresso and mostly foamed milk
• Double--Drink with two shots of espresso
• Dry--More foam and less milk
• Espresso--A stout shot of rich Italian Roast, smoky and more intense
• Espresso Macchiato--Shot of espresso, with a dollop of foam
• Grande--Large, 16-ounce cup
• Half-Caf--Half the caffeine of regular
• Latte--Espresso and milk
• Mocha--A hot chocolate with espresso
• Quad--Drink using four shots of espresso
• Red Eye--A shot of espresso added to coffee
• Skinny--Made with nonfat milk
• Single--Drink using one shot of espresso
• Tall--Regular, 12-ounce cup
• Triple--Drink using three shots of espresso
• Wet--Less foam and more milk
• Whip--Whipped cream
• With Room--With space to add milk