Did you know Starbucks menus are leaving out some vital information?Although "tall" (12 ounces), "grande" (16 ounces) and "venti" (24 ounces for a cold beverage, 20 for a hot one) are the three sizes everyone is familiar with, there is a fourth one many people don't even know exist -- "short" (8 ounces)!
Funny, isn't it?
Whereas in many countries a standard coffee order comes in a very small cup containing just 2 or 3 ounces, here in the United States the smallest size is completely hidden from customers.
Don't be afraid to order a "short" beverage at Starbucks if it strikes your fancy -- I assure you every single barista knows what you're referring to.
However, two friends of mine have reported that two New York City branches had "run out" of 8 ounce cups (interesting, seeing as how most consumers don't even know there is such an option!)
The photo at right displays all four sizes. Quite the spectrum, wouldn't you say?
One great thing about smaller portions is that they present a manageable way to consume foods that can be problematic in large amounts.
A short latte with whole milk, for instance, contains 110 calories and 17% of the daily saturated fat limit.
Make it a Venti, and you're up to 290 calories and 45% of a day's worth of saturated fat!
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5 comments:
Probably the reason coffee drinks in other countries are 3oz is because they're JUST. ESPRESSO. Because other countries are hardcore and don't need milk foam. That would be my guess.
I can tell you that in Argentina and Venezuela (two countries I have lived in), even cappuccinos and lattes measure roughly 4 ounces.
The "mug of coffee" concept is very much a U.S. one.
That said, with US coffee chains popping up in many countries, never-before-seen large sizes are starting to become available.
However, drinking coffee on the go (or even ordering a 24 ounce coffee beverage) is considered a very odd concept in many European and South American countries.
Actually, if you're talking hot drinks ,the venti is 20 ounces; it's only iced that the venti is 24. Go figure. I also prefer my coffee iced - year round - and they don't offer the short size in cold drinks or I'd be all over it :( That said, a tall iced latte with skim milk and just one pump of vanilla syrup (instead of the three they usually put in a tall!) is really not too bad for calories!
Daphne,
Great clarification point. I have edited the posting appropriately.
Here in Chile, confused first-time customers want to have their coffee (a cortado, which is a very tiny latte, served in a juice-glass sized glass in a metal holder) in the espresso cups.
The sizes are absolutely out of control. Also little known fact... if you are going to drink your drink at Starbucks, you can get a porcelain mug, which tastes better and makes less waste!
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