“Give me one of those X’-press-O’s, please!”

In 1990, when we opened an Espresso Bar in the rural county of Yamhill, there was a big learning curve for all of us. Definitions and language were just developing for baristas and customers. Here are a few developments of communications heard at espresso bars in my community over the years.

20 plus years ago:  

• What is “X’-press-O”?
• What is “Supremo” about Columbia (sic) Supremo?
• Is this your sample cup? (Referring to the small quantity when ordering an espresso.)
• What is a “Late’-Tay”?
• $1 for a cup of coffee!  (Asked by a cowboy who can get a cup for 25 cents).

10 to 20 years ago:

• What is a “Ri-strict-to’” ?
• Where is La Minita Costa Rica?
• What is an Iced Vanilla Latte?
• What is a “Ma- Chi’-to’? (macchiato)
• $2 for a cup of coffee! (Asked by the cowboy who can get a cup for 25 cents.)

Last 10 years:

• What is “Flat White”?
• What is “natural” about Brazil Zinho Peaberry Pulped-Natural?
• What is a cold press coffee on nitro?
• What is Cortado?
• $4 for a cup of coffee! (Asked by that same cowboy who can get a cup for 25 cents.)

As you can see, we are all making progress in our coffee literacy as a whole.  And for the cowboys in our Espresso Bars, you’ve got to love ‘em.

* Pete Miller started in the coffee business 24 years ago. In a personal quest for community and an interest in the emerging coffee house scene, Pete opened a thriving espresso bar in Newberg, Oregon. When he stumbled upon an old cape cod house for sale on Highway 99W near George Fox College (now University), he moved his family of four into the house and opened the coffee shop in the one car garage.

The post The Evolution of a Northwest Espresso Bar – Part 1 appeared first on Caravan Coffee.