Ghetto latte
Encyclopedia
A ghetto latte or "bootleg latte" is an iced espresso
filled up with free milk. After a customer orders and pays for a shot of espresso poured over ice, the customer fills the cup with milk, cream, or half-and half, making an iced latte
or breve
. This process can save the customer and cost the coffee shop a modest amount of money. The iced espresso is ordered in a larger to-go cup, the traditional espresso cup being too small.
The drink has spawned debate between customers and baristas - particularly those who work at Starbucks
. Many people, wishing to save money (an iced espresso costs an average of $2.00 and a 16-ounce iced-latte costs an average of $4.00) have taken to this approach. Controversy exists over what the ethical usage of condiments is—in this case, how much milk is allowed to go into coffee beverages. Starbucks' official position is that "We provide condiments to our customers so they can make their drinks to their liking... We trust our customers to make the choices that are right for them." Randall C. Picker, a law professor, noted that "Starbucks may be engaging in what an economist would call latte price discrimination. That means selling the same thing--the latte--to different customers for different prices. If we assume that the fake latte is profitable for Starbucks even when sold for $1.75, Starbucks may be perfectly willing to allow some of its customers to home-brew using Starbucks ingredients." Many baristas who work at smaller coffee shops that support local roasteries and brew single-origin coffees consider the ghetto latte to be unfair and inconsiderate, and argue that "When you pour [espresso] over ice, it creates a certain acidic reaction that makes the drink sour."
Iced coffee
Iced coffee is a cold variant of the beverage coffee.-Preparation:There are several ways of preparing iced coffee. Ordinary hot-brewed coffee can be served cold, although this may result in a bitter-tasting product. Cold brewing relies on time, rather than heat, to transfer the coffee flavor to the...
filled up with free milk. After a customer orders and pays for a shot of espresso poured over ice, the customer fills the cup with milk, cream, or half-and half, making an iced latte
Latte
A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. Variants include replacing the coffee with another drink base such as masala chai, mate or matcha...
or breve
Caffè breve
Caffè breve is an American variation of a latte: a milk-based espresso drink using steamed half-and-half instead of milk.-Variations:...
. This process can save the customer and cost the coffee shop a modest amount of money. The iced espresso is ordered in a larger to-go cup, the traditional espresso cup being too small.
The drink has spawned debate between customers and baristas - particularly those who work at Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
. Many people, wishing to save money (an iced espresso costs an average of $2.00 and a 16-ounce iced-latte costs an average of $4.00) have taken to this approach. Controversy exists over what the ethical usage of condiments is—in this case, how much milk is allowed to go into coffee beverages. Starbucks' official position is that "We provide condiments to our customers so they can make their drinks to their liking... We trust our customers to make the choices that are right for them." Randall C. Picker, a law professor, noted that "Starbucks may be engaging in what an economist would call latte price discrimination. That means selling the same thing--the latte--to different customers for different prices. If we assume that the fake latte is profitable for Starbucks even when sold for $1.75, Starbucks may be perfectly willing to allow some of its customers to home-brew using Starbucks ingredients." Many baristas who work at smaller coffee shops that support local roasteries and brew single-origin coffees consider the ghetto latte to be unfair and inconsiderate, and argue that "When you pour [espresso] over ice, it creates a certain acidic reaction that makes the drink sour."