What is an almond latte?

[ShadowTiger]

If you went for a takeaway coffee and asked for an almond latte, what would you expect to get? Assuming both options are available.

YABU: Dairy latte with almond syrup
YANBU: Almond milk latte

I asked for almond milk latte and (because of the screen and mask) the barista just heard almond latte. So she made a dairy latte with almond syrup. After one mouthful I realised it was dairy but it was already too late.

Actually I think given the obvious potential for ambiguity and the rising popularity of nut “milks” the staff should probably routinely ask “do you mean with almond/hazelnut milk or syrup?”

If I asked for a vanilla latte , I'd assume it was a latte with vanilla syrup. If it's important, I'd say "a latte with almond milk" to avoid confusion.

@KVIIIlyne imagine the laughs if tesco had "nut juice" section😂
But it is actually practically a juice, so it ain't wrong😂

This reminds me of when I was in a coffee shop and the person in front of me ordered a flat white, then went ballistic because it had milk in it! She said she wanted a black flat white!

The batista made her a black flat white instead.

Barista.

well, it IS a thing

What they said. If you order a vanilla/caramel/chocolate latte you get a dairy latte with the appropriate syrup. If you want dairy free you need to say soya/oat/almond milk caramel latte. No one asks for a latte with vanilla syrup.

If you have an allergy the onus is on you to ensure you've checked and double checked with whoever is serving you. If I had an allergy severe enough to knock me dead I don't think I'd risk getting takeaways to be honest.

@Movinghouseatlast

This reminds me of when I was in a coffee shop and the person in front of me ordered a flat white, then went ballistic because it had milk in it! She said she wanted a black flat white!

The batista made her a black flat white instead.

😂😂😂 Stuff like this is way more common than you would believe.

Also, the most common exchange:
-Coffee please.
-White or black?
-Yes.
🙄

I wouldn’t accept that as an explanation and would log a complaint and demand a refund. All the cafes I know ask for clarification as allergies are serious business.

YANBU

As they said. almond latte would be latte flavoured with almond, almond milk latte would be latte made with almond milk.

@KVIIIlyne

well, it IS a thing

😂 niccccceee

@Movinghouseatlast

This reminds me of when I was in a coffee shop and the person in front of me ordered a flat white, then went ballistic because it had milk in it! She said she wanted a black flat white!

The batista made her a black flat white instead.

It’s called a flat Americano or Espresso.

Latte with almond syrup

Off topic but it’s really hard to place an order in a noisy environment while wearing a mask and standing behind a plastic screen! I literally had to shout and repeat myself. In normal times I don’t think there would have been an issue with getting her to hear “almond milk latte”. I gave up trying to ask which cakes were vegan because she couldn’t understand what I was saying and I couldn’t understand her. We mumbled at each other and in the end I just waved my hand and said “never mind”.

Almond latte is the naming convention for a latte flavoured with almond syrup. If you look at the menu for places like Starbucks/Costa etc, the lattes with syrup are always named after the flavour eg chocolate chip cookie latte, pumpkin spice latte. Then any alterations from the basic "recipe" usually come after eg extra shot, almond milk etc.

I guess as they popularised coffees that are more complicated and calorific than a gourmet meal, their way of ordering is the convention. Although it has always been normal that you order "extras" after.

Actually I think given the obvious potential for ambiguity and the rising popularity of nut “milks” the staff should probably routinely ask “do you mean with almond/hazelnut milk or syrup?”
That’s what I thought. Too easy to confuse “almond latte”, “almond milk latte”, “almond milky latte” “latte with almond” and end up making someone ill.

I have chai but soya

So I say a chai latte made with soya milk please

It’s esp hard at moment with masks

I would ask for a latte made with almond milk. I would also watch them make it and check they don’t put the nasty dairy milk frother wand in it, and reconfirm the contents on being handed the cup.

What fucks me right off is ordering a black americano and being asked if I want hot or cold milk

@ShadowTiger

Actually I think given the obvious potential for ambiguity and the rising popularity of nut “milks” the staff should probably routinely ask “do you mean with almond/hazelnut milk or syrup?” That’s what I thought. Too easy to confuse “almond latte”, “almond milk latte”, “almond milky latte” “latte with almond” and end up making someone ill.

If dairy is going to make you ill, you need to be very specific and ask for a "latte made with almond milk"

"Almond latte" is very clearly dairy with almond syrup. In the same way that a "gingerbread latte" is not made with milk from gingerbreads and a "caramel latte" is not made with milk from caramels

I would actually assume you meant an almond flavoured latte, but they probably should be training their staff to clarify this, in case of allergies. And you probably should be extra clear about it as well and double check.

@Movinghouseatlast

This reminds me of when I was in a coffee shop and the person in front of me ordered a flat white, then went ballistic because it had milk in it! She said she wanted a black flat white!

The batista made her a black flat white instead.

A flat black? I don’t know why but the thought of them making a coffee called that makes me laugh!

OP I totally agree with you, I’d assumed it meant made with almond milk, plus I didn’t even know you could get almond syrup, I’ve never seen it! Sounds amazing though.

I agree about the mix ups too, I always have non dairy milks in my coffees, and I always worry about them getting mixed up. I’ve had dairy being made instead by mistake but it’s not a big deal, I just prefer the non dairy ones. If I had a nut or dairy allergy I probably wouldn’t take the risk tbh.

Ps how do you pronounce almond?

If you have a problem with an ingredient in something that's commonly served in cafe's, why don't you double check that the person serving you has got your order right? I do, & I double check. Every time. Whether it's a moral issue (if you're vegan) or a health issue (as for many people, including me), it's on you to ensure they've got it right. I watch them making it so I can see what they're using, or I say when ordering & check when they pass it over to me, that it's free of the ingredient. It's my health, & life, at stake. Not theirs.

That said, it's poor customer service that they made you line up again to get it rectified.

I would also watch them make it and check they don’t put the nasty dairy milk frother wand in it
You aren’t allowed to watch them make it. After you place your order you’re asked to wait in the waiting area outdoors so the counter is free for the next person. When they’ve made your drinks they come outside with the tray and announce your name.