The North Shore Dish Your One-Stop Coffee Guide By Virginia George
Twelve and a half years ago I walked into a coffee shop for my first day as a barista. It wasn’t the kind of coffee shop with frilly names on the board, rather, there were strange names like “Americano.” Cappuccino. Latte. Who in the world knew the difference? Well, it turns out a lot of people don’t know the difference, and today we are going to clear that up. This is your cheat sheet: your guide to knowing what in the world to order when the menu looks all Italian.
Back to the Basics Most traditional coffee shop beverages are made with espresso. That’s espresso, not expresso, no matter what anyone else says. The three main espresso beverages are americano, latte and cappuccino, and most other hot espresso drinks are a variation on these three. Espresso Shots: Espresso shots can be consumed on their own. The difference between coffee and espresso is the manner in which it is brewed. Coffee is brewed by hot water running over and through ground up coffee beans. Espresso is made with a finer grind of coffee, which is packed into a little “puck,” and then the water is forced quickly through these condensed and finely ground beans. Espresso beans can be used to brew drip coffee as well, so don’t let that confuse you. Americano: An americano is shots of espresso with added hot water. An americano is most akin to a cup of drip coffee, but has a different flavor profile because of its brewing method. From here on out we have drinks with steamed milk. Some coffee shops default to two percent; others use whole milk. Breve is a drink made using steamed half and half, and a “skinny” drink typically uses nonfat or skim milk. As coffee shops become more accommodating to those with food sensitivities and preferences, more options are becoming available. You may be able to get your favorite beverage made with almond, soy, coconut or oat milk. Always feel free to ask your favorite coffee shop what they have available that meets your dietary needs or palate preferences. Lattes and Cappuccinos: Lattes and cappuccinos are made of three parts: espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Their ratios are just different. A latte is made of mostly steamed milk, with a quarter to half inch
A blended beverage from Log Cabin Coffee in Ely. This drive-through coffee shop is open year-round. | LOG CABIN COFFEE NORTHERN WILDS
APRIL 2022
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