Tipping Your Barista

I got a kick out of this video that a co-worker shared with me. I think most baristas can relate-- I can't help but look out of the corner of my eye as I wait to see how much a customer will tip. How much do you tip your barista? Does it depend on the service? Do you make it a point to always tip? Or never tip? I have heard some people say that they don't know what a reasonable tip is for a barista compared to a tip for a waitress where 8-10% is somewhat standard. In my experience, most people who tip at all will tip a dollar. Fifty cents is reasonable-- anything less than 10 cents however, is a bit of a slap in the face. If you want to be safe, tip a dollar and your barista will be very thankful. What are your thoughts on tipping at the coffee shop?

Tuesday With Morrie and Coffee

Saturday morning we went out for coffee. I, Tea Cup, got a latte and Coffee Mug got a mayan hot chocolate. Afterwards Coffee Mug went to work I stayed in Adagios for a few more hours reading Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom and writing letters. Let me tell you how much I love this book, it has really helped me through an emotionally long week.

-Tea Cup, who seems to write more about drinking lattes than tea.

Coffee, Tea, and Muffins

One Latte, One Ginger Blast, One Morning Glory Muffin and One Raspberry Muffin

Coffee Cup is getting sick, so when we went out for coffee this morning she got a ginger blast tea which is a shot of ginger, lemon, and cayenne pepper. I however was craving the comfort of a latte, the warm rich milk, that often cheers up my mood. It didn't really work that well today, but it was nice anyway.

After taking a few sips of my drink, I look over and see Coffee Mug trying to swallow chunks of ginger.

Side note: I have been trying to drink more tea because it is my passion but I have come to love coffee after meeting Coffee Mug and her sharing her coffee knowledge with me. But yesterday I did have a cup of pineapple green tea and felt a little less like I was cheating on my favorite hot beverage.

Happy Thursday,

Tea Cup.

Two Ladies and Their Coffee

You May Have Thought You Were A Coffee Freak...

But are you this freaky?

I want to go play with the $20K espresso machine!

A Follow-up to the Doppio Con Panna Post

Of course, after the doppio con panna post I had to do a little google search and guess what I found? According to Starbucks a doppio con panna is only 35 calories! Not bad, considering how it really tastes like so much more of an indulgence than most 35 calorie items. Though really when you break it down, the espresso shots are just hot water pressed through very finely ground coffee beans (0 calories) and then a generous dollop of whipped cream (apparently 35 calories, depending on how generous the dollop is, of course). Score! Remember this next time you decide to cut calories. Some other coffee drink calorie counts:

16 oz Whole Milk Latte: 260 calories
16 oz Non-fat Latte: 165 calories
16 oz Americano: 15 calories
16 oz Drip Coffee: 10 calories
16 oz Whole Milk Mocha w/ Whip: 400 calories (watch out!)
16 oz Whole Milk Cappuccino: 150 calories
16 oz Non-fat Cappuccino: 100 calories

But of course, don't let this information keep you from your regular coffee indulgence, whatever it may be. If anything, savor it even more! Do you have a special coffee drink that you like to treat yourself to?

Until next time,
Coffee Mug



http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/starbucks/espresso-con-panna-doppio/
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/CoffeeDrinkCalories.htm

The Art of People Watching

Why do you go out for coffee? Some reasons that top my list include catching up with Tea Cup, reading a good book, and of course-- people watching.  

Just another day at Avellino.

From the impatient  old man in front of me in line to the little boy with bouncy, blonde curls running all over the place, to the man in a very sharp business suit-- I want to know each of their stories! But since I'm too shy to ask, I just make up stories in my head instead.