If you like coffee, but sometimes find coffee shop words confusing, this article is for you. In it, I'll simplify the process of ordering coffee in English. I'll explain common coffee words, different cup sizes, and kinds of coffee. All this is to help you feel more ready and less confused the next time you're buying a coffee.

Interacting with the Barista

When you walk into a coffee shop, a friendly barista is often the first person you'll interact with. When they ask, "How can I help you today?" or "What would you like?" it's your cue to share your coffee preference. Use phrases like "I'll have," "Can I get," or "I'd like" to signal you're ready to order.

Understanding Sizes and Unique Names

Size Options: In most coffee shops, size options are typically small, medium, and large. However, Starbucks uses unique names for their sizes: tall, grande, and venti. Keep this in mind when specifying the size of your coffee.

Starbucks Size Guide:

• Tall at Starbucks corresponds to a small size at other places
• Grande is a medium (which doesn't make sense since 'grande' means 'large)
• Venti equates to a large, and it's worth noting that venti means 20 in Italian (as in, 20 ounces)

Exploring Coffee Varieties

Espresso is the foundation of most popular Italian-style coffee drinks. It's a strong coffee made using an espresso machine. A shot of espresso is a small glass filled with concentrated, robust coffee.

Many coffee drinks are made using espresso as the base. Here are some of the most popular:

• Latte: Contains one or two shots of espresso, steamed milk, and a bit of foam on top
• Cappuccino: Similar to a latte but with more foam
• Mocha: Combines espresso, milk, a touch of chocolate sauce, and sometimes whipped cream
• Americano: Made by adding hot water to espresso, resembling black coffee

Regular black coffee is made with a drip coffee machine (usually) and is distinct from an Americano, although it may taste quite similar. 

Specifying Preferences

Coffee preferences vary, and so do milk choices. If you have a specific milk preference, make sure to mention it when ordering. Alongside regular milk, popular alternatives include nonfat milk, almond milk, oat milk, and rice milk. Each milk type brings its unique flavor and texture to the coffee, catering to individual tastes and dietary needs. Personally, I go for oat milk when I want to switch things up. 

Also, if you've already had 12 cups of coffee and it's 7 pm, you can order decaf or half-caf (half caffeine). 

Putting it All Together

Complex orders may involve multiple specifications, such as size, caffeine level, type of milk, and the specific coffee drink. For example, you might request a "venti, half-caf, nonfat cappuccino" or a "grande decaf mocha with almond milk." Don't worry, baristas are accustomed to handling intricate orders, so don't hesitate to customize your drink to your liking.

Beyond the commonly ordered drinks, there are a couple of additional options worth exploring. If you're seeking an intense caffeine jolt, or you're Italian, you may order straight espresso with nothing else in it. A single might be called a "solo" and a double is often called a "doppio."

For caffeine fiends, the "red eye" combines espresso with drip coffee. This powerful blend results in a highly caffeinated beverage, ideal for those moments when you need an extra boost of energy to conquer the day.

Let's try putting it all together in a simple dialogue: 

Barista: Hi! What would you like?

Customer: Hello! Can I get a tall cappuccino, please?

Barista: Of course! Would you like any special milk options or is regular milk okay?

Customer: I’ll have it with almond milk, please.

Barista: Great choice! Your tall almond milk cappuccino is coming right up.

Customer: Thank you!

That's all for now! If you want to keep getting new English lessons, don't forget to subscribe. And if you have any questions, just ask. Until next time, go out there and have fun practicing how to order your perfect coffee!