So how do you take your coffee?
At San Francisco Coffee Roasting Company, we serve up an ever-changing roster of delicious beverages, making the most of our expertly-roasted coffee in its many forms. Whether you like it hot or cold, strong or sweet, you'll find something that hits the spot.
But if you still get anxious around a long list of coffee treats, don't sweat it. Keep reading for a breakdown of some staple drinks you'll find at any respectable coffeehouse (plus a few of our exclusives). You'll know your americanos from your cappuccinos in no time!
DRIP COFFEE
In the US, this is what most people think of when they hear the word coffee. All we do is steep our fresh-roasted coffee grounds in hot water, then serve it hot. While some coffees are perfect for drinking black—like the hazelnutty gold from Chiapas, Mexico—others are better with a splash of milk or some sweetener. Of course, it all comes down to your preference. There is no right or wrong way to drink coffee! But, there's a reason drip coffee has become a common fixture in American households: its easy to prepare and with plenty of caffeine, it's truly the perfect start to your day.
ESPRESSO
If you fly to Italy, don't expect anything like the drip coffee you know in the States. In the coffee capital of Europe, the people buzz on multiple shots of espresso each day. From the Italian word meaning express, espresso is a supercharged dark coffee made by pressuring near-boiling water through finely ground coffee. What results is a single ounce of strong and scrumptiously hot coffee packed with caffeine and topped with a beautiful golden brown crema.
LATTE
Formally caffe latte, this bestseller is comprised of espresso shot and steamed milk, plus a little froth on top. In the last few decades, coffee fiends have tried all sorts of dairy substitutes in their lattes, from soy, to almond, to oat milk. A latte also tastes great with some added flavor, like a chocolatey mocha latte or the pumpkin spice latte—a seasonal favorite.
CAPPUCCINO
Latte's first cousin combines equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk froth (and if you’d like, a little sprinkling of cinnamon or cocoa powder). Cappuccinos are sweet, milky, and perfect at breakfast or with dessert.
MACCHIATO
The third member of the espresso/milk trio is the macchiato, which combines espresso with a small dollop of foamed milk. The small dollop of milk cuts the intensity of the espresso ever so slightly for a smooth enjoyable sip. Perfect anytime of day, especially with dessert.
AMERICANO
An americano is an espresso shot combined with water. According to legend, this drink earned its name in Italy, where American GIs fighting in World War II sought a hot beverage that was similar in style to the drip coffee they knew at home.
COLD BREW
Though this drink has become a cultural smash in recent years, we've been throwing back these refreshingly strong sippers for decades. We make our cold brew by steeping coarse coffee grounds in room-temperature water for 24 hours. What results is a super-caffeinated coffee concentrate, which we can water down, ice, cream or flavor to your liking. These days, we can also add some liquid nitrogen, which really galvanizes the coffee with a buoyant mouthfeel.
SPECIAL BLEND
This list wouldn't be complete without our most beloved signature drink. We mix espresso, milk, and our homemade syrups, then serve it over ice for a truly delectable experience. Our customers can't get enough of this sweet treat, which you can really toss back in one gulp.
Stop by one of our coffeehouses for an even more extensive list of beverages. And don't forget to check out our online store for all sorts of shippable products.
We'd also like to thank Feedspot for naming us one of the Top 60 Coffee Blogs on the web today! Keep reading and enjoying coffee- and be on the lookout for some more insights on this amazing beverage soon.
-Doug