The Starbucks Secrets You Need to Know, According to a Barista

Starbucks is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. I would even say it is up there with McDonald’s. The Seattle-based company started more than thirty years ago, and changed the coffee game of America for the better (or worse). I am pretty sure the average American only knows coffee lingo because of Starbucks, except if you truly believe a “tall” translates to a small coffee (more on that later). However, what If I told you that even though you may order a caramel macchiato every Friday before work for the last ten years, there are some things about the chain that you still may not know? Here are some Starbucks secrets you need to know.

1. Blonde Roast Has More Caffeine Than Dark Roast

That’s right, if you choose the Blonde roast to avoid the heavy serving of caffeine, you have been bamboozled. When it comes to how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee, it gets complicated. According to the National Coffee Association, there are many factors that influence the caffeine content, including, bean variety, roast, and brewing technique. Light roasts tend to have higher or the same concentration of caffeine than dark roast. This all has to do with the roasting process. 

2. There Is More Espresso in Iced Lattes Than Hot

As a former barista, I still have the number of espresso shots per cup size ingrained into my mind. A grande and venti hot latte has two espresso shots. However, a venti iced latte has three espresso shots. The reason the iced version has more espresso is because the volumes are different. An iced beverage cup is 24 fluid ounces. A hot beverage cup is 20 fluid ounces.

3. There Are Two Secret Sizes That Aren't Advertised

Yes, you heard that right. There are two sizes that are not on the menu. They are the “short” (8 fluid ounces), and the “Trenta” (31 fluid ounces). One note though. The Trenta size can only be used for cold beverages except Frappuccinos. 

4. You Can Order Your Drinks Hotter 

There is a temperature gauge for the milk steamer. The average temperature of the steamed milk is 160 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you can order it even hotter (at your own risk). If you request it to be extra hot, it is steamed to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. 

5. You Can Still Order Drinks That Are Discontinued

You may be annoyed that Starbucks removed your favorite drink from the menu. Do not fret! If the location still has all the ingredients, you can still order it. You may just have to order a basic latte and include add ons that would have been mixed in from the discontinued drink.