Learning the Lingo
The Seattle-based company has a love affair with Italian coffee expressions. The pocket-size guide that Starbucks publishes reads like an Italian vocabulary guide: americano, breve, cappuccino, con panna, doppio, espresso, grande, latte, macchiato, misto, mocha, ristretto. The words would be familiar to any Italian student or traveler to Italy. The venti-sized drink is 20 ounces...no surprise there! And even the Starbucks/Visa co-branded credit card is called the Duetto.
The Perfect Tazza
So the next time you walk into the coffeehouse-cum living room/library, order a caffè americano or caffè mocha. And say Grazie! to the counterperson and wait for the expression on their face.
Italian Coffee Vocabulary List
- caffè (espresso)—a small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espresso
- caffè Americano—American-style coffee, but stronger; weaker than espresso and served in a large cup
- caffè corretto—coffee "corrected" with a shot of grappa, cognac, or other spirit
- caffè doppio—double espresso
- caffè freddo—iced coffee
- caffè Hag—decaffeinated coffee
- caffè latte—hot milk mixed with coffee and served in a glass for breakfast
- caffè macchiato—espresso "stained" with a drop of steamed milk: small version of a cappuccino
- caffè marocchino—espresso with a dash of hot milk and cacao powder
- caffè stretto—espresso with less water; rocket fuel!
- cappuccino—espresso infused with steamed milk and drunk in the morning, but never after lunch or dinner
- granita di caffè con panna—frozen, iced beverage (similar to a slush, but ice shavings make it authentic) and topped with whipped cream
