Starbucks Speaks Italian

Practice Italian When Ordering Coffee

Join the Discussion "Lemon peel was used during WWII when people couldn't get espresso beans and used chicory instead. The lemon twist cut the bitterness." CFASSIO    Related Resources • Italian Coffee    From Other Guides • About Coffee and Tea • Coffee Drinks • Coffee Making • Coffee Substitutes • Coffee Supplies    Elsewhere on the Web • Caffè.it • How Espresso Works • Illy

The early morning commuters call out their orders to the barista. "Doppio espresso con panna." "Venti cappuccino." "Grande latte." If you didn't see the familiar greem mermaid logo, you'd think you were in an Italian caffè. Instead, it's one of the thousands of Starbucks locations in the U.S. and throughout the world that have come to dominate the coffeehouse market.

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.

Bevi Un Caffè
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 Vocabulary List: Coffee

• 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

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