8 Things You Say at a Café That Instantly Expose You as a Coffee Newbie

The moment you place your order at a café often reveals how much you really understand coffee. As someone who has been drinking coffee for over a decade, I sometimes overhear people at the counter and can’t help but smile—not out of mockery, but out of recognition. Many people truly love coffee, yet unknowingly give themselves away with rookie phrases.

Phrases like “I don’t like sour coffee,” “Just recommend me something,” or “Big brands must taste better” sound casual, but to coffee enthusiasts, they instantly mark you as a beginner.

Ordering coffee is not just the beginning of your cup—it’s also the moment that shows whether you truly understand it. Want to earn your barista’s respect? Learn to describe your preferences more professionally, and you’ll discover that what’s inside the cup is far more exciting than you imagined.

1. “I don’t like sour coffee.”

Acidity is actually one of the hallmarks of high-quality single-origin coffee. Bright citrus acidity from Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe or crisp apple acidity from Colombia reflects the terroir and forms the soul of specialty coffee. Saying this simply shows you haven’t really tried good single origins.

2. “I like really strong coffee.”

Many people think coffee should taste dark and smoky, but coffee beans are fruit, naturally carrying floral and fruity notes. Real espresso isn’t thick and roasty like you’d imagine — in fact, it’s sharply acidic and bitter, and not easy for most people to handle.

3. “I usually drink Kopi Luwak or Blue Mountain coffee.”

Both are expensive and rarely authentic. The market is flooded with gimmicky versions, and insiders usually avoid them.

4. “Big brands must have better coffee.”

Coffee beans peak within 3 months of roasting, and only 1 month after grinding. Quality depends on freshness, not the brand name.

5. “Whatever, just recommend me something.”

A skilled barista needs to know your flavor preference. Saying this turns their craft into guesswork. Instead, try: “I like nutty or chocolatey flavors.” That makes you sound like you know your stuff.

6. “Espresso plus hot water is just an Americano.”

Serious cafés extract with precise water temperatures. Simply adding hot water ruins the crema. A coffee-savvy order would be: “Please pull it long with 88°C water.”

7. “Blue Mountain must be the most expensive.”

Jamaica’s Blue Mountain is rare, but regions like Yunnan’s Puer or Panama’s Geisha are also world-class. Blindly worshiping one origin just makes you sound outdated.

8. “As long as the latte art looks good, I’m happy.”

Specialty cafés focus on flavor complexity. Fixating on latte art is like asking for a carved watermelon at a French restaurant. Try saying: “The berry finish in this Kenyan is stunning.” Instant level-up.

So, what should you actually say at a café to earn a barista’s respect — and maybe a mind-blowing cup?

01 “A latte, no latte art please — could you raise the milk temperature a bit?”

The key to a great latte is milk temperature. Higher milk temp gives better integration, more sweetness, and a richer body. Why skip the art? Because hotter milk makes thicker, less fluid foam, which is hard to pour beautifully. But if you’re snapping pics, go for latte art instead.

02 “For my espresso, I’d like a glass of iced water and a caramel biscuit on the side.”

Ordering these signals at least a decade of coffee experience. Bonus: if the espresso isn’t great, just pour it into the water, and voilà — it becomes an iced Americano.