Written by Maggie Mull
My internship at Garden Spot Village has led me to discover Refresh, a quaint coffee bar located in the community’s main building. Refresh proudly serves Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks. I have long been confused by the differences between the wide variety of coffee drinks, and decided to finally explore the topic through research and personal testing.
The Different Styles of Drink
When ordering coffee, you may see words like “latte,” “macchiato,” and “cappuccino.” It’s often difficult to distinguish the difference between these names without previous knowledge of their unique contents. This guide will explain what you can expect to find within each style of drink.
Americano – Americanos are characterized by their simplicity. They are made using equal parts espresso and water. The drink was originally created by American soldiers stationed in Italy during World War II.
Cappuccino – Cappuccinos are crafted using an equal blend of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Like the Americano, the cappuccino has Italian origins.
Cold Brew – Cold brew refers to coffee that has been brewed using cold water rather than hot water. The process takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, and results in a product with a higher concentration of caffeine. This method of creation came from the Japanese, who may have learned the technique from Dutch traders.
Frappuccino – The title of Frappuccino is trademarked by Starbucks, who first introduced their version of the drink in 1995. It is made through the blending of coffee, milk, ice, and any desired flavorings.
Iced Coffee – Iced coffee proves to be the most self-explanatory option on this list. The drink is simply brewed hot coffee poured over ice, which allows for more personalization.
Latte – Like the cappuccino, lattes comprise of a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. However, they contain a higher ratio of steamed milk.
Macchiato – A macchiato closely resembles a latte, but is made using a smaller proportion of milk. The term “macchiato” means “marked” in Italian.
Pink Drink – Starbucks also owns the right to the Pink Drink, a beverage that blends a strawberry açaí base with coconut milk and freeze-dried strawberries. It originated from a popular customization of another trademarked Starbucks drink, the Strawberry Açaí Refresher.
Shaken Espresso – The shaken espresso is made with a combination of espresso, milk, and ice, which is then shaken to achieve a frothy texture. It serves as a respite from hot Italian summer days compared to the original espresso shot.
Customizing Your Cup
With the large number of options available, customizing your coffee to match your taste may seem overwhelming. Breaking an order down into its parts can help ease the stress of this process.
Hot or Iced – Many drinks are available either hot or iced. Other drinks are solely served at one temperature. Hot drinks include the cappuccino, brewed drip coffee, and hot chocolate. Drinks only available cold include the Frappuccino, Pink Drink, shaken espresso, iced coffee, cold brew, and refreshers.
Size – A unique feature of Starbucks is their sizing. There are three available sizes: tall (12 oz), grande (16 oz), and venti (20 oz). The terms “grande” and “venti” have Italian origins, and are meant to evoke the romantic feel of an Italian coffee bar while creating a sense of high-end quality in their products.
Additionals – Further customizations can be made in terms of milk type (almond, coconut, or soy), amount of espresso, flavoring type (vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, sugar-free vanilla, or seasonal), the addition of cold foam, and amount of ice.
Caffeine
Coffee is well known and loved for its caffeine content. The stimulant has both perks and downfalls. Caffeine has been shown to lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. It can reduce the risk of certain cancers, as it decreases DNA breakage. It can also heighten alertness and lower depression in some individuals. Exceeding the recommended daily levels of caffeine may prove to have negative side effects. For older adults, 100 mg is generally a well-tolerated limit. Too much caffeine may cause anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness, headaches, and heart issues. It is important to be aware of personal caffeine tolerance when crafting your order. Decaffeinated options are often available, and can provide more freedom of choice.
Compiled below is a list of drinks ordered by their caffeine contents for reference. The total amount depends on the chosen size.
decaffeinated coffee & hot chocolate – 15 mgs to 25 mgs
matcha latte & pink drink – 30 mgs to 80 mgs
chai latte – 50mgs to 95mgs
frappes – 65mgs to 125mgs
lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos & americanos – 75mgs to 150mgs
iced coffee – 125mgs to 235mgs
shaken espresso – 150mgs to 300mgs
cold brew – 155mgs to 310mgs
Why Refresh?
Refresh offers many perks that you wouldn’t find at a typical Starbucks. Its location within the Garden Spot Village complex offers convenient service close to home. The surrounding venue offers many peaceful areas to sit, allowing for time to relax and unwind. Wait times and the hectic nature of a typical coffee shop are non-existent. Members of the staff are very patient, efficient, and kind. Despite being a location centered around coffee, Refresh also offers food, including sandwiches, salads, pastries, and desserts. The pleasant environment and delicious products make Refresh the perfect place to go!
My Personal Opinion
I’m not good enough at math to determine the number of possible combinations there are to try at Refresh. I am a long way from trying them all, and cannot yet consider myself a coffee connoisseur. With that being said, I highly recommend the iced caramel macchiato (the driving factor behind this post), the hot chai tea latte, and the apple fritters. These choices are my favorite, but the goal is to discover yours! Don’t be afraid to branch out and explore the wide array of choices.
Coffee has a rich history, with inspiring factors from across the globe. Refresh offers a local outlet for exploring various styles of the classic drink alongside other food items. The available options are sure to satisfy anyone’s taste!
To visit, go to: 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, PA 17557