At least 2 billion cups of java are consumed daily in the world. Most coffee lovers enjoy drinking coffee in the morning and after lunch. Others drink it at night to stay awake for one reason or the other.
As a coffee enthusiast, you should know how to order coffee in English to avoid embarrassing moments. In this article, we will show you the English coffee vocabulary and phrases to use in a coffee shop.
Browsing the Menu
When you visit a coffee shop, it is important to know what to expect from the menu. Some people prefer plain, black coffee. If this is what you love, then expect an easy time when ordering coffee.
Common coffees that are easier to order and available in most coffee houses include:
- Black coffee– A classic type of coffee prepared by passing hot water through ground coffee beans or instant coffee powder.
- Cold brew– It is similar to classic black coffee, but is made by soaking medium to coarse ground coffee in cool water for several hours.
- Pour over– Closely related to classic coffee. Prepared by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans. The extracted coffee drips down into a waiting cup.
- Decaf– Refers to decaffeinated coffee, which is coffee with at least 97 percent of caffeine removed.
- Espresso– It is a strong type of coffee served in small servings known as shots. It is brewed with an espresso machine.
- Cappuccino– Refers to an espresso combined with a smaller amount of steamed milk.
- Macchiato– It is an espresso combined with a little amount of steamed milk.
- Latte– Refers to an espresso containing a larger amount of steamed milk.
- Mocha– A latte mixed with chocolate syrup.
- Americano– An espresso diluted with hot water.
- Frappe– An espresso served on ice and mixed with foamed milk.
- Lemonade– A drink comprising water, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Hot tea– Hot teas such as herbal teas, black tea, and green tea among others,
- Iced tea– Green or black tea served cold with lemon and ice.
- Steamer– A drink comprising hot, frothy milk, and sweet flavoring.
- Italian soda– Comprises carbonated water and flavors such as lemon, strawberry, or raspberry.
Coffee Additives
If you like getting more adventurous with coffee, there are various flavors you can add to your drink. You will only pay a little extra for the additions. Some of the most popular choices available in most coffee shops include:
- Caramel
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Toffee
Specialty Coffees
If you prefer specialty coffees, you won’t lack something worth trying on the menu. Many coffee houses offer their own specialties while others are common across the board. Some of the most common specialty coffees you are likely to find on the menu include:
- Blended drinks– They comprise a thick, cold drink made by blending espresso, milk, and ice. Blended coffees often have sweet flavorings such as caramel, pumpkin, mint, or chocolate. Many cafes offer featured seasonal drinks.
- Rooibos espresso– Although this drink has the word “espresso” in it, it does not contain coffee. Although it is called “espresso”, Rooibos is prepared with Rooibos tea, which gives it the appearance and texture of an espresso. It is becoming popular due to the numerous health benefits associated with Rooibos tea.
- Matcha latte– It is a creamy drink prepared with matcha powder. Matcha powder is made from green tea leaves. There are several matcha-themed coffees you can find in most coffee shops.
- Golden latte– It does not contain any caffeine, tea, or coffee. The drink is prepared with steamed milk, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices. It is also popular due to its numerous health benefits.
Flavor and Milk Choices
When you make an order for coffee, you might be asked whether you want it with milk, sugar, or flavored syrup. Some of the most common choices include:
- Low-fat milk (2%)
- Full-fat milk (whole milk)
- Soy milk
- Skim or skinny milk (non-fat milk)
- Almond milk
- Hazelnut syrup
- Vanilla syrup
- Chocolate
Coffee Sizes
Coffee is served in several sizes including:
- Small (or tall)
- Medium (or grande)
- Large (or venti)
Espresso Sizes
When ordering an espresso, you will choose between three sizes including:
- 1 shot
- 2 shots
- 3 shots
Common Questions in Coffee Shops
When visiting coffee shops, you are likely to hear common questions such as:
- Who is next?
- I can help, who is next?
- Next in line, please.
- What would you like?
- Would you like cream or milk?
- Any flavors or sugar?
- Do you take cream or milk?
- What are you having?
Phrases on How to Oder Coffee in English
When ordering coffee in English, some of the phrases to use include:
- I would like a regular coffee to go. No sugar or milk. (A coffee to go means you will take it out of the shop).
- I will have a skinny cappuccino. (Means a cappuccino prepared with nonfat milk).
- Can I get mocha for here, please? (Meaning you will have the drink inside the coffee shop).
- I would like 1 shot of espresso.
What if you Are Unable to Decide or Feeling Nervous?
Sometimes, you may feel undecided due to too many options to choose from, or you are feeling nervous as a first-time visitor to a certain coffee shop. When you find yourself in such situations, you can use phrases such as:
- I’m sorry, I’m not yet ready.
- I’m sorry, I’m yet to decide. Please assist someone else.
- You go ahead. I’m yet to decide.
Summary
As you can see, there are numerous phrases used when ordering coffee in English. These are only a few of the daily coffee vocabulary you should learn. You can understand these phrases better and learn more about them by hearing them being used in real-life situations. Once you get used to hearing them in conversations with English native speakers, you will find it easier to remember when and how to use them in coffee shops.
Related Articles
