Introduction:As a classic espresso-based drink, the Caffè Corretto should be served in a small cup, allowing customers to enjoy the perfect blend of espresso and cream in one sip. However, recently, some customers ordering from Starbucks received the drink in a 350ml paper cup, making it impossible to enjoy properly. This incident has sparked discussions about Starbucks’ quality standards and staff training. This article will guide you through the correct way to prepare a Caffè Corretto and address common issues.

An authentic Caffè Corretto should be served in a small espresso cup, allowing coffee enthusiasts to enjoy the exquisite combination of espresso and fresh cream in one go. However, a customer who recently ordered this classic beverage at Starbucks received it in a regular 350ml paper cup. As a result, the coffee settled at the bottom while the cream floated on top, making it completely undrinkable and leaving customers unsure of how to consume it.

After this incident sparked heated discussions on social media, many Starbucks employees pointed out that this practice clearly violates the official preparation guidelines. Was it due to a lack of appropriate cups, staff unfamiliarity with the process, or flaws in the training system? This debate over the Caffè Corretto has also brought issues of quality control and employee education in chain coffee brands to the forefront.

It is understood that the Caffè Corretto is a classic espresso-based drink, made by topping a small shot of espresso with a dollop of fresh cream. Since the total amount of coffee is not much, most shops opt for small-capacity cups to present it, ensuring customers can enjoy the layered flavors of coffee and cream in one sip.

However, according to customer feedback, this particular Starbucks branch used a regular paper cup with a capacity of at least 350ml to serve the Caffè Corretto. As a result, the coffee settled at the bottom while the cream floated on top, preventing customers from experiencing the flavors of both simultaneously. The drinking experience was greatly diminished, and many didn’t even know how to drink it properly.

Regarding this incident, some Starbucks employees explained in the comments section that, according to official standards, the Caffè Corretto is typically served in a 60ml small espresso cup, making it easy for customers to drink it all in one go. Even if the customer needs to take it away, a small paper cup specifically designed for espresso should be used. Therefore, based on the photo provided by the customer, the use of a regular large paper cup by this branch indeed does not meet the official preparation standards.

As for why this mistake occurred, some speculate that there may have been no appropriately sized small espresso cups available at the time, or the correct-sized paper cups were out of stock. Others suggest that the staff member responsible for preparing the drink may not have been familiar with the standard procedure for this less common beverage, leading to the use of a larger cup.

More industry insiders believe the issue may stem from insufficient employee training at Starbucks. Although the Caffè Corretto is not one of the best-selling drinks, since it is on the menu, branches should ensure that employees understand the correct preparation and presentation methods, rather than neglecting training just because it is not frequently ordered.

In fact, many long-time customers have noted that in recent years, Starbucks seems to have relaxed its employee training standards, resulting in some beverages failing to meet official quality criteria—for example, the overly coarse milk foam in a Flat White, or the misuse of cup sizes as seen in this Caffè Corretto incident.

Many netizens believe that as a leading brand in the chain coffee industry, Starbucks should maintain high standards of quality and a professional image. However, when customers encounter subpar coffee that doesn’t meet the standards, they not only question the baristas’ professionalism but may also develop a negative impression of the brand. Therefore, the company should place greater emphasis on staff professionalism, enhance skill training, and unify preparation standards across all branches to maintain customer trust and satisfaction.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.