For me, cold snacks, desserts and baked goods are the perfect foods to serve at a coffee shop because they are almost as quickly made as a specialty coffee drink. One of the coffee shops in town is basically a full service restaurant, and I feel like both their coffee and their food suffers because they don’t focus on one entirely. A simple bagel and cream cheese or a plate of hummus is more than enough to satisfy my appetite.

It’s interesting that corporate coffee shops seem to be best at finding a perfect balance between offering a variety of food while not crossing the line into the realm of restaurant. Starbucks does offer a few heated breakfast sandwiches, but these pre-made items only take a few moments to heat up. I find that it’s more often that local coffee shops are the most guilty of bordering on being too much like a restaurant. And I think that’s unfortunate. Local coffee shops typically have the best atmosphere, and I think they lose a bit of that artsy, local hangout-feel when they serve entrees that require a kitchen and servers.

Maybe I’m alone, but I like my coffee shops to serve coffee.

We all know that flavored syrups and extra shots of espresso can bump up the price of our coffee – and for good reason. But many people don’t realize that when they let the baristas at certain coffee shops add the milk to their coffee, they’re getting charged an extra 30¢ to 50¢. How ridiculous! Coffee shops have a spot for you to add your own milk or half and half, and it’s the same thing as what’s behind the counter. Do you really think it’s worth that extra fifteen seconds it would take to add it yourself?

I think the reason coffee shops get away with it is because people are caught off guard. They don’t know that it’s an extra charge, and they assume the barista is just offering this as a kind gesture. The coffee shop I worked for charged about 50¢ for us to add a splash of half and half in a customer’s drink – it was ridiculous. I typically didn’t ask because I thought it was a very sneaky way to get extra money.

If you like milk in your iced coffee and you ask coffee shops to add your milk, ask if they charge for it first. If they do, simply order your iced coffee with room so you don’t have to struggle dumping out extra coffee to make room for the milk. I had many customers do this where I worked, and not only was it not a bother to us, it was also awesome that they were saving money. If you order daily coffees with milk, you could be spending $3.50 per week just for a splash of milk that you could add yourself!

I love and appreciate a beautifully designed coffee shop as I love and appreciate all well-designed spaces. New shops are able to design the space better, and they often pay special attention to matching details, color coordination, and setting a specific mood. Take for example the coffee shop from which I write this blog. Neutral shades with a pop of red on an accent wall with evenly placed artwork. There are beautiful natural elements, a divider wall between the main seating area and the milk and condiments section – everything about this space has been well considered. It’s relaxing and pretty, yet vibrant thanks to all the people inside. And when I look around, the majority of the people here are a bit (or a lot) older than me. This place attracts families, friends and a somewhat sophisticated crowd. The people here look as if they belong as part of the space, although the space is likely what influence the people to come here.

On the other hand, another favorite shop of mine is downright grungy. I love it for all it’s cramped eccentricities. Loud music blares from inside the long and narrow space and tables are shoved in wherever they will fit. The lighting is dim except when you find a spot near the window where the majority of the few chairs and tables are collectively jumbled. Nothing matches, much like the artwork that hangs haphazardly wherever there is space. But I love it. You won’t find the same people here, either. The majority of the crowd are young, possibly students, most with alternative style. The place is hip and cool because of its space which attracts this young alternative crowd. It’s just as good as the other coffee shop, but it attracts such a different crowd, and the space combined with the people creates such a different atmosphere. It’s not the greatest for working (what with the blaring music,) but it’s a great place to be inspired.

Local coffee shops seem to be different. Often, my favorite places are a combination between the two listed above because there is a wonderful mixture of styles as well as people. Next time you go into your favorite cafe, look around and see if you feel as though you “fit” the space.

Cappuccinos are a fairly delicate drink with special attention paid to making rich, delicious foam. After all, that constitutes at least 1/3 of the drink. For this reason, it is particularly important when ordering a cappuccino to know how that milk will change the drink.

The best milks for foaming are natural milks. That means anything from skim to whole milk and even half and half will create the best, most lathery foam for your cappuccino. Unfortunately for those who are lactose intolerant, it’s much more difficult to get good foam out of soy or almond milk, so no matter how skilled your barista, the foam just won’t be the same.

If you’re planning on doing soy or almond milk for health reasons, remember this. Although soy contains a lot of protein, soy milk is also unfermented, and some studies have shown that soy can actually block your body’s ability to absorb the protein. Of course a little soy is OK here and there, but don’t simply choose soy because you think it’s better for you. I’ve also noticed that soy gives a slightly mint flavor (odd, I know) when it’s mixed with certain syrups. Almond milk is quite high in protein, but it also has a lot of fat. It’s the good type of fat, but some people may shy away from the higher fat and calorie content if they’re on a calorie-counting diet.

For those that like the rich consistency of cappuccinos, remember that much of that consistency comes from the fat content. Fat-free milk will give you ample foam, but the cappuccino will have a thin consistency. Most of the calories in a cappuccino come from any sugar or syrups added, anyway, and the thin consistency will likely make you want to add more of that. Whole milk (or half and half) will give a really rich consistency (and it can often negate the need for any type of syrups or sweeteners,) but these choices are the highest in calories. 2% milk is actually a really nice middle ground that has less calories than whole milk, but it still gives a relatively rich consistency.

So next time you order your cappuccino, remember just how much milk can affect the taste and texture of your drink.

You see, at certain corporate coffee shops, decaf is only served until noon. After that, only two coffee pots are brewing at a time to keep up with the demand for regular old coffee. When people come in and request decaf after noon, it causes a big hoopla. Why? Because said corporate coffee shop doesn’t continuously brew it through the day (because they are too cheap.) Instead, employees have to do what’s called a pour-over.

What is a pour-over? I’m glad you asked. It is a nightmarish way of making coffee in which the employee sets up a single filter in a plastic contraption with your coffee cup underneath. Then, said employee has to fill a tin up with boiling hot water to slowly pour over the coffee grinds that drip out into your cup of handmade, 5 minute decaf coffee.

Why does this suck? Well, the number of burns caused by pour-overs is probably higher than burns on fryers at McDonalds. I just made up those statistics, but you get the point. I personally burnt myself at least once per month doing pour-overs – and I only worked there part-time.

And just so you know, this is a big corporate coffee chain I’m talking about. You have one in your town. Everyone does.

I guess what I’m saying is why bother getting decaf when you could just make it at home? Especially at the end of the day when you’re not rushing off to work. If you really must order that decaf, at least ask those corporate coffee shops to please brew decaf all day and not just in the morning. Do it for the employee risking his/her hand making your coffee.

Mukka Express looks more like a glorified tea pot than a cappuccino maker – but it makes delicious, frothy cappuccinos! I am absolutely baffled at how they came up with this ingenious product, but I’m glad they did. The bottom of the device is filled with water that heats up when placed over a heat source (like a stove or hotplate.) The next layer up is a filter where you place ground espresso. Above that is a container where you add milk, and the finished product also ends up in here. There’s a pressure valve on top that you can activate for a cappuccino, or leave untouched for a latte. The lid opens up, too, so you can get all that nice frothy foam into your drink!

Now, I’m not entirely sure how the machine pushes the finished espresso up into the milk, but it does, I suppose. Once you’ve added all the ingredients according to the instructions, you simply slowly heat the Mukka Express on the stove until it makes this gurgling sputter which indicates your drink is done. And sure enough, when you look inside, you will find a mixed, fully frothed cappuccino. How cool!

A word of warning: the product takes some getting used to. I was able to make a great cappuccino on the first try, but they advise being prepared for about three bad batches as you get used to it. Honestly, if you read the directions thoroughly and follow each step correctly, you won’t have a problem. Just be sure to rinse it out directly after with soapy water to make sure you don’t get coffee stains!

Latte

A latte is x number shots of espresso plus steamed milk and a little bit of foam on top. The majority of a latte is steamed milk while the small but strong shots of espresso give the drink its coffee flavor. The drink is topped with a small layer of foam.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino consists of x number of espresso shots topped with half steamed milk and half foam. It’s similar to a latte, but it weighs less because it has a lot more foam. A wet cappuccino is one with less foam than a typical cappuccino but more than a latte. A dry cappuccino is just the opposite; it has even more foam than a typical cappuccino; 2/3 of the drink can be made up of foam with just a bit of steamed milk. (I’ve actually had people ask for all foam, no milk.)

So they sound pretty similar right? They are. The only real difference is how much foam is in each. Personally, I’m a cappuccino person because I love the texture it adds. I’m also not a big fan of milk. Either way, you get the same number of shots so long as the person making it has any clue what they’re doing. So if you didn’t know the difference before, give each a try with your newfound knowledge and see what’s your favorite.

The main point to consider when deciding whether a coffee shop will be a productive place for you to work is how you are affected by noise. Even the most relaxed coffee shop is noisy to some extent, so the ability to work in the midst of noise is necessary. I often see people sat at their computers with books and notes, staring off at a barista or browsing Facebook when they should be working. If that sounds like you, chances are, the noise and activity level of a coffee shop are too much of a distraction for you to be very productive.

On the other hand, the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop are to some a pleasant white noise that actually helps them focus on their work. Do you sleep with TV on? Do you find libraries too quiet to do your work? People with these tendencies often focus better when they have noise in the background. They are often people with busy minds, and the background noise actually helps them focus. These are the type of people who can really benefit from the atmosphere of a coffee shop as they work.

The coffee shop will always be a great place to hang out and sip your favorite caffeinated beverage, but keep in mind that it’s not always the most conducive work environment. If you find yourself constantly distracted, order your coffee to go.

Coffee shops are a great venue for local and aspiring artists to show their work to the public and sometimes even sell some of their pieces. Most coffee shops who feature local artists do so for a minimal fee, making them one of the least expensive ways for artists to show their work. Every coffee shop is different, but coffee shops typically charge a small fee for hanging work or a small percentage of what you sell. The only other expense artists need to worry about is if they want to have a proper opening; artists can purchase snacks and drinks to set out for the opening which might cost them more than the fee to set up!

So why do coffee shops do this? It’s mutually beneficial for both the shop and the artist. The artist has a place to show their work while the coffee shop often gains new customers that the artist brings in. And of course they get ever-changing and unique artwork for their walls.

If you’re interested in displaying your artwork, all you need to do is ask. It’s probably best to ask around at places you frequent rather than going somewhere you’ve never been before. Photographs, paintings and most two-dimensional works are the best, but talk to the owner or manager to see what they’re interested in. It’s also best if you already have most of the series complete so you can show them what you want to hang on their walls. And if your favorite coffee shop doesn’t have any local artwork hanging up, just ask! The owner may have never considered it because no one had ever shown an interest. Remind them that if you are allowed to have an opening, you can bring new business in with your art.

For coffee addicts, cup of coffee within the morning might boost the eagerness and enthusiasm for the move. Not solely that, analysis conducted by the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, found that drinking black coffee within the morning is additionally helpful for male fertility.

Research results mentions that black coffee will build the sperm swim faster and improve male fertility. The cluster of researchers studies from the University of Sao Paulo said that men who frequently drink a cup of coffee each morning contains a sperm that may swim a lot of agile than men who never drank coffee within the morning.

The study was conducted on 750 men who can do a vasectomy (surgical contraception for men) and divided into four teams based mostly on the quantity of coffee consumed. Four teams are : teams who don’t drink coffee, lightweight coffee drinkers (1-3 cups of coffee per day), coffee drinkers (between 4-6 cups per day) and serious coffee drinkers (more than vi cups per day), with a cup size scale a hundred ml.

The result, participants who frequently drank coffee daily (1-3 cups per day) contains a a way higher quality sperm than men who don’t drink coffee.

According to the research, the content of caffeine in coffee will facilitate the sperm swim faster than sperm samples, to assist improve the method of IVF (in-vitro fertilization), the tactic of fertilization outside the womb.

But bear in mind, higher drinking coffee with less sugar and don’t drink coffee to excess as a result of it will increase stroke thanks to injury to blood vessel walls. In pregnant ladies will increase heart rate, invade the placenta, into the blood circulation and a a lot of severe will cause death.