3 ms·
My usual way of drinking coffee is espresso with warm milk, so, a latte. In the USA, I believe that espresso-with-milk drinks are vastly superior at Peets or St
by Myrmornis 4y ago
My usual way of drinking coffee is espresso with warm milk, so, a latte. In the USA, I believe that espresso-with-milk drinks are vastly superior at Peets or Starbucks, than they are at smaller, more "sophisticated" places. I'm not a coffee expert, but it seems to me that the big chains sell espresso that tastes more like espresso traditionally does in, say, Italy. I'm guessing that the smaller boutique / specialty coffee shops in the USA are using specialty beans (lighter, more acidic? more floral?) that they've selected for how they taste when prepared as filter coffee, or americano, i.e. when drunk black, and that these are unfortunately terrible as espresso mixed with milk.
- Terretta 4y agoStarbucks aims to taste burnt*. Espresso in Italy doesn't. Agree boutiques often have a flavor too far forward for espresso as you'd find it in Italy. * I read why somewhere a long time ago, can't find it.
- amanaplanacanal 4y agoI think the reason is volume. They have to buy so many beans that the individual flavors and quality are all over the map. They have to roast them very dark to get something like a consistent product.
- criddell 4y agoTraditionally, espresso in Italy varies significantly from the north to the south. Starbucks most popular roasts are to a level that was popular in Southern Italy. Starbucks does sell some lighter roasts and can do pour overs and press pots. Talk to the people working there. In my experience they are knowledgeable, care about the coffee, and are friendly (especially when they aren't crazy busy).