Coffee facts

Even if you’re a pro barista, sometimes you need a refresher on some coffee facts.

Our team covers everything from the basics to even the advanced stuff for experienced baristas.

Think of this section as your own personal coffee encyclopedia – an all-in-one resource you can constantly refer to.

Coffee 101: The Basics

Let’s talk basics. 

Here’s the starting point for every coffee newbie.

• Coffee Terms – jump into our glossary of all coffee-related words and concepts from A to Z.
• Coffee Slang – a cup of Joe? Java? Cuppa? Yes, all these terms mean only one thing – coffee!
• Top Coffee Producing Countries – do you know where your coffee comes from? 
• How To Start Drinking Coffee – while you can just go on and drink it, you can also do it like a pro.
• Pros And Cons Of Coffee – to coffee or not to coffee, that is the question.
• Tasting Component Of Coffee – taste, flavor, aroma…there is much more to coffee tasting than you imagined.
• Coffee Pairing Ideas – learn how to pair your coffee with different foods.
• Coffee Dosing – how much coffee do you need for a perfect cup? 

Coffee Types Explained

Well, this was quite a job, but you will thank us later. We lined up all the different types of coffee, and the list is huge! Dig in.

• Types Of Coffee – get familiar with all types of coffee before you proceed to research each one of them.
• Types Of Lattes – check out all variations of this popular espresso-based drink.
• What Is An Americano? – did you know that this drink was created when Americans couldn’t handle the strength of punchy Italian espresso?
• Cold Brew Vs Americano – in a way, these drinks could seem similar at the first glance, but they are far from that.
• Americano Vs Cappuccino – although both are espresso-based drinks, these two couldn’t be more different, mainly because Americano is longer and usually without milk.
• Americano Vs Latte – even a newbie knows that these two are so different, but do you know exactly why?
• Americano Vs Espresso – let’s say that Americano is a long, looong version of espresso.
• What Is A Breve? – in simple words, it’s coffee with half-and-half instead of milk.
• Macchiato Vs Frappuccino – these are maybe the most complicated names for coffees, right?
• Frappuccino Vs Cappuccino – cappuccino definitely inspired the frappuccino, at least regarding its name.
• French Vanilla Coffee – no, it’s not a coffee with French vanilla ice cream. But it tastes almost equally yummy.
• Caramel Latte Vs Caramel Macchiato – these are very similar drinks (and probably your favorites at Starbucks), but there are some major differences you need to know.
• Latte Vs Coffee – well, a latte is technically a coffee. But for starters, to make a coffee, you don’t need an espresso machine.
• Barrel-Aged Coffee – you heard about barrel-aged whiskey, but did you know coffee can be barrel-aged too?
• Macchiato Vs Americano – these drinks have the same base, but the similarity stops there.
• Red Eye Coffee – searching for the strongest coffee drink out there? You’ve found it.
• Cortado Vs Flat White – now, these two can easily be mistaken for one another. So you should definitely learn the difference.
• Cafe Au Lait Vs Latte – both have coffee. Both have milk. But they are not the same drink, no matter how similar their name may sound.
• Macchiato Vs Mocha – the main difference between these two is that mocha comes with chocolate inside, but there is more to it.
• Flat White Vs Latte – if you like a larger and foamier espresso-based drink, you should go with a latte. But a flat white is still worth a try if you are into milky coffees.
• Lungo Vs Espresso – simply put, lungo is just a longer version of an espresso shot.
• What Is Blonde Espresso? – heard about the blonde roast? Well, blonde espresso is just an espresso made from blonde roast coffee beans.
• Iced Macchiato Vs Iced Latte – these iced drinks are pretty similar, so you might not even notice the difference if you try them with a blindfold.
• Macchiato Vs Cortado – they start with espresso. But they end up in different places.
• Ristretto Vs Espresso – you thought the espresso shot was short? Well, Italians came up with something even shorter.
• Iced Latte Vs Iced Coffee – an iced latte has to have an espresso shot, while iced coffee can be made with literally any kind of coffee (yes, even instant!).
• Cold Brew Vs Espresso – both can be pretty punchy, but they are super different in many ways.
• Cortado Vs Latte – milk and espresso are the common ingredients of these coffees, but they aren’t the same.
• Latte Vs Mocha – one can say that mocha is a latte with chocolate. Well, not exactly, but you will get the point.
• Caffe Misto – let’s cut to the chase, this is just a fancy Starbucks expression for a cafe au lait.
• Blonde Espresso Vs Regular Espresso – the only difference is in the type of coffee beans used to make these drinks.
• Ristretto Vs Long Shot – shorter and taller brothers of the espresso shot.
• Frappe Vs Frappuccino – these two are blended coffee drinks, and they might seem similar ( by the name, at least), but they are made with different ingredients.
• Latte Vs Cappuccino Vs Macchiato – these are 3 of the most popular milky espresso drinks. Find out exactly how they differ from each other.
• Cortado Vs Cappuccino – if you want a short answer, if you add some milk foam on the top of a cortado, you will get a cappuccino. Well, not exactly, but pretty close.

Coffee Additives & Extras

Okay, we all know about adding milk to coffee. But did you know that there are more ways to spice up your cup of Joe? And for some you will be pretty surprised.

• Cocoa Powder In Coffee – if you like mocha, you will love cocoa powder in your coffee.
• Cinnamon In Coffee – this is a tasty mix with numerous health benefits.
• Powdered Sugar In Coffee – out of granulated sugar? You can definitely use powdered sugar in your coffee, and here is how.
• Salt In Coffee – this one doesn’t sound right. But actually, it has its tradition, and it makes sense.
• Creatine In Coffee – turn your coffee into an after-workout booster by adding a bit of creatine!
• Flaxseed In Coffee – this combination will do your gut a favor.
• Evaporated Milk In Coffee – not your regular cup of milky coffee, but it works.
• Baking Soda In Coffee – your coffee is too acidic? A pinch of baking soda will do the trick.
• Espresso With Lemon – sounds crazy? Give it a shot because there are a few reasons for adding lemon to your coffee.
• Coffee And Banana – these two make a yummy combination regardless of how you mix them.
• Mayo In Coffee – hold on. Mayo in coffee? Well, it actually does taste yucky as it sounds.
• Honey In Coffee – if you’re searching for sugar alternatives, honey should definitely be your first choice.
• Brown Sugar In Coffee – is brown sugar a healthier alternative to regular sugar in your coffee? We debunk this.
• Maple Syrup In Coffee – another sugar substitute that will turn your coffee into a delicacy!
• Can You Use Heavy Whipping Cream In Coffee? – most definitely, and it will taste sooo delicious!
• Can You Use Buttermilk In Coffee? – you can, but we definitely don’t recommend it.
• Substitutes For Milk In Coffee – tired of plain old milk? There are different milk substitutes you can add to your coffee.

Cold Brew

Did you know that not every coffee requires brewing with hot water? And no, we don’t mean just instant coffee. Cold brew is a fresh (and delicious) trend that doesn’t require any brewing machine! Here’s everything you need to know about it.

• How Long Does Cold Brew Last? – made a fresh batch of cold brew? Find out how long you can keep it in the fridge.
• Cold Brew Vs Iced Coffee – the main difference is that cold brew is brewed cold, while iced coffee is made from cooled-down hot brewed coffee.
• Is Cold Brew Less Acidic? – the cold brewing process does make your cup of Joe less acidic, so it might get smoother on your palate.
• Nitro Cold Brew Vs Cold Brew – did you know that you can boost your cold brew with nitrogen? This is as close as coffee will ever get to beer.
• Can You Use Regular Ground Coffee For Cold Brew? – cold brew is the best when it’s made with coarsely ground coffee. But regular ground will also work.
• How Long To Steep Cold Brew? – You must plan ahead when making the cold brew because it should steep for at least 12 hours.
• Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine? – this, of course, depends on the amount of coffee you throw in, but usually, cold brew is stronger than regular coffee.
• Can You Heat Up Cold Brew Coffee? – a fan of cold brew, but it’s simply too cold for you? Don’t worry, it’s possible to heat it up.
• How Much Caffeine Is In A Nitro Cold Brew? – this coffee is on the stronger side, and it has its fair share of caffeine.

Starbucks Drinks

Ahh, Starbucks… The home of coffee and our favorite pit stop on a busy day. We spend hours trying and researching different Starbucks drinks so we can tell you everything about it.

• Vanilla Starbucks Drinks – a fan of vanilla? Starbucks has a ton of vanilla drinks, and here are our favorites.
• Starbucks Cold Foam Drinks – cold foam is a Starbucks specialty, so we created an extensive list of drinks that come with this addition.
• Caramel Starbucks Drinks – caramel and coffee are a match made in heaven, and Starbucks knows it.
• Starbucks Mocha Drinks – if you are a fan of chocolate, you will love these Starbucks mocha drinks.
• Best Hot Drinks At Starbucks – of course, Starbucks has numerous hot drinks, and we tried each of them.
• Starbucks Drinks For Kids – did you know that Starbucks is not only for grown-ups? Here are some options you can order for your child next time you’re there.
• Starbucks Espresso Drinks – they make a mean espresso in many shapes and forms.
• Starbucks Iced Coffee Drinks – a venti cup of refreshing coffee on a summer day? Count us in!
• Dairy-Free Starbucks Drinks – a vegan or lactose-intolerant? Starbucks has many drinks without milk.
• Starbucks Chocolate Drinks – we lined up all things chocolate you can find at Starbucks.
• Caffeine-Free Starbucks Drinks – going to Starbucks doesn’t have to mean pumping up with caffeine.
• Strongest Coffee At Starbucks – they have a perfect pick-me-up for a super-busy day.
• Does Frappuccino Have Coffee? – yes, but not necessarily…Frappuccino can also be coffee free.
• What Is Frappuccino Roast? – this is a powdered mix of Italian and Espresso Roast, used in those delicious Starbucks fraps.
• Starbucks Sauce Vs Syrup – both additions find their way into many different Starbucks drinks…but do you know the real difference?
• Starbucks Cup Sizes – learn the Starbucks lingo and choose your perfect drink size.
• Cheap Starbucks Drinks – short on cash? You can still stop by Starbucks. We picked some cheapest drinks for those on a budget.
• Tik Tok Starbucks Drinks – we checked out the latest trends on TikTok and chose the best and the most trending Starbucks drinks for you.
• Does The Pink Drink Have Caffeine? – in short, the answer is yes, but not from coffee, and in very small amounts.
• How Much Is Starbucks Coffee Traveler? – if you would like to order coffee for the whole office, Strabucks has just the thing.

Common Coffee Questions

We didn’t answer all of your questions so far? We hope after these you will finally know everything about the coffee. Jump in!

• Does Coffee Stain Clothes? – yes, but there are ways to remove the stains.
• Can Coffee Make You Nauseous? – coffee can upset a sensitive stomach. Here’s what you can do about it.
• Can You Use Regular Ground Coffee In A French Press? – technically, yes, but only if you really don’t have other options.
• How Long Do Coffee Beans Last? – the shelf-life of coffee beans depends on the way you keep them.
• How Long Can Coffee Sit Out? – it can sit out for a while, but how long exactly can vary regarding what additions you’ve put in.
• Can You Reuse Coffee Grounds? – well, you can, but it will not be the tastiest thing ever. Actually, it will be more like water with some taste of coffee.
• Can You Eat Coffee Beans? – sure! You definitely can eat coffee beans, but there are a few things you should know beforehand.
• Can You Reheat Coffee? – coffee gone cold? There are a couple of ways to reheat it.
• Does Coffee Go Bad? – it can most certainly go bad, but how fast it will happen depends on several factors.
• What Coffee Has The Most Caffeine? – if you want a strong caffeine boost, we researched the most caffeinated coffees out there.
• Why Doesn’t Caffeine Affect Me? – if you still feel nothing after your third cup of Joe, you might have built up a caffeine tolerance.
• Best Coffee Flavors – bored with plain old coffee? Here are some most interesting and delicious coffee flavors you will enjoy.
• Best Coffee For Non-Coffee Drinkers – if you are not used to the taste of coffee but would like to start drinking it, there are a couple of ways to ease into it.
• How Long Does Coffee Last In The Fridge? –  the fridge will keep your coffee fresh for a longer time, but not forever.
• Is Espresso Bad For You? – usually not, but the answer is not that simple. There are a couple of things you should consider.
• Why Doesn’t Coffee Wake Me Up? – there could be several reasons for this, and some of them you can fix.
• How Many Espresso Shots Can Kill You? – we don’t mean to scare you, but espresso could actually kill you. But only if you go way overboard.
• Can You Use Regular Coffee For Espresso? – espresso requires fine ground coffee, so anything coarser than that won’t really work.
• Coffee Tastes Sour – why? We lined up all the possible reasons and fixes for this problem.
• How To Get Rid Of Dizziness After Drinking Coffee? – coffee can make you a bit dizzy. But don’t worry, there are ways to fix it.
• Coffee After Workout – is it a good idea? Yes, coffee and a workout might work.
• Can You Drink Expired Coffee? – technically, you can but you should avoid it if you want to play safe.
• Can You Grind Coffee Beans In A Food Processor? – you don’t need a fancy grinder to grind your coffee, but a food processor will still not give you perfect results.
• Does Coffee Help Sore Throat? – not really, since it can actually dry out your throat and irritate it even more.
• Is It Cheaper To Grind Your Own Coffee? – considering getting a coffee grinder? Find out if the investment will pay off.
• Watery Coffee – what’s the deal with that? We lined up all the possible reasons why your coffee might be watery and how to fix it.
• How Many Cups Of Coffee Are In A Bag? – we give you a thorough calculation of how many cups of Joe you will get from a bag.