People who order "a decaff coffee with an extra shot" - why?
People who order "a decaff coffee with an extra shot" - why?
All our coffee is served with two shots by default. We're not some fancy coffee shop, just a motorway service station that makes coffee to go. We have some regulars who order a decaff with an extra shot. I explain thats going to have three shots total, and they're happy with it.
But I keep thinking, if you have three shots of decaff, isn't that going to be as strong as a normal coffee? Whats the point?
Please forgive my ignorance
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I'm not a coffee drinker, but help me understand, What is a shot? caffeine? If so, wouldn't a decaf "with an extra shot" just be one shot? since originally it would have no caffeine, but they want to add one shot.
It’s a shot of espresso which is only about 2oz (60ml). A normal serving would be one or two shots.
I’m guessing people are ordering a latte or cappuccino or something similar which is milk and coffee. The extra shot will make the drink have a stronger coffee taste.
Edit: here’s more than you ever asked to know about espresso drinks lol:
A single shot of espresso is only around 20-25ml. A double shot is the most common amount you’ll get when ordering a drink at a coffee shop, and 60ml is on the high end of that. Here’s even more about this topic specifically: https://youtu.be/F4wrUP4c5P4
I don’t really understand either. Caffeine wise, I’d think decaf + a shot = 1 shot, not 3.
Seems like it's being used as a measurement of amount of coffee, not caffeine. Normal size is "two shots" and decaf (normal size, so "two shots") with extra shot (of more decaf) would be "three shots".
At least that's what I was thinking happened. Not sure how it would change the taste or anything. Maybe it is shots of coffee in milk or something?
It seems like OP is talking about an espresso drink. Yes, that’s typically espresso in water or milk, maybe steamed milk/froth. The decaf would contribute flavor but little caffeine. I’m not sure why OP is confused about this.
I think they were thinking of it in terms of caffeine when those wanting the extra shot were thinking of the flavour.
Caffeine is a colourless, odourless, flavourless alkaloid that is a component of espresso coffee.
If you could magically remove all caffeine without removing anything else, you wouldn't be able to taste the difference.
Is it really flavorless? I’ve always had the impression it adds a bit of a bitter flavor
Isn't it just a component of coffee, not specifically espresso
Yeah. IDK why I said "espresso".
A 'shot' is a portion in coffee speak, like a shot of vodka is a standard measurement. A flat white has two shots of espresso as standard, for example. Decaf espresso/coffee would be one or two shots of decaf coffee, still won't have any (well, much) caffeine, just makes the flavour stronger.
So all of this assumes it's being mixed with milk or water, right? Because otherwise having two or three shots wouldn't alter the taste because it would just be more of the same
Yes, there are many types of coffee produced with milk or water, as well as with ice and other ingredients. Some are produced with steamed milk, others with foam, a mixture of the two, one or two shots, in different amounts, with flavoured syrups, ice, or just with a certain amount of water to bulk it out.
You can have a double espresso (two shots only, nothing else), but even that can be short or long, which means there is less or more water used when creating each shot of espresso. Short espressos are popular in Italy, usually cost a euro, and would be taken standing up and finished in a minute or two (or even instantly); the amount would be about the same as an alcoholic shot.
It's interesting to me because for me the coffee (not espresso) as is the default, with no added water. So the idea that it's assumed it is mixed threw me off. Here the assumption the coffee is "regular" (drip, french press, basically not espresso) and if you want water or milk in it, that's extra thing. Nobody puts in water in that coffe though hah, it's just whether you want milk and sugar.
Ah yeah that's your kind of standard home or office coffee, not something you'd get in a cafe really (or at least not the main one they would serve).
Here I think it's the typical coffee you'd get if you don't specify anything else. Espresso based fancy milk foam sugary things are getting more popular though.
Ah yeah if you go to a non-cafe place then that's what you'd get unless they invested in a fancy machine.
Do try a flat white sometime though, or a piccolo latte (no sugar or such heathenly things though!).
I've tried a "flat white" but it mostly tasted like regular coffee with milk imo. If a bit milkier than I'm used to.
Ensure it has two shots, may have to reduce the milk or get a piccolo instead. It's quite hit and miss here.
I’m aware of how espresso drinks work. I was picturing the decaf being brewed decaf, not an espresso drink. I guess OP does mean an americano or a cappuccino or something. So in terms of flavor, it contributes, in terms of caffeine, it does not.
I actually thought we were talking about shots of alcohol at first, because I've heard of people putting that in their coffee. Didn't quite make sense why you'd sell every coffee with alcohol, though...
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Espresso is served in a small glass or mug usually, much smaller than regular coffee; it's like a shot glass. "Adding a shot" is just pouring that amount of espresso into a regular coffee, to make it stronger.
Decaf usually does have some caffeine in it, but I don't remember the ratio or what it tastes like; I don't drink it myself. The main reason I can think of to add espresso to drip coffee would be to "fortify" the caffeine content, and provide a stronger coffee taste.
Maybe the people who order this want the strong coffee taste, but not all 3 or 4 cups-worth of caffeine? There are good reasons to limit caffeine intake.
