You've probably noticed that having a cup of coffee at home doesn't taste quite the same as a treat from your favorite coffee shop, and you may wonder why. In fact, you might even start to think that you're simply imagining the difference. However, coffee shops do have some tricks that make your favorite morning beverage taste extra special.

Professional Equipment

If you've ever had the experience of cooking with high-quality cookware, you likely know that the tools used can affect the taste of a product. Coffee shops have different types of professional equipment, so your latte or macchiato is made with these tools. Furthermore, the baristas know how to use this equipment because they do so regularly. While some people do have fancy coffee makers in their homes, knowing how to properly use these tools is another task.

High-quality Products

When you go to the supermarket, you might grab whatever coffee is on sale. Even when you have some fancier products that you like to purchase, those items might be unavailable at the local grocery store. One way that coffee shops get amazing products and for an affordable price is by getting products in bulk. For example, some coffee shops will order a 2 lb bag of whole bean Colombian coffee for each week. That way they have amazing coffee beans, and can support a ton of orders per day. The ingredients make the drink, so better ingredients will create a tastier product.

Expertise

You might think of yourself as an expert at making coffee since you brew a cup each morning. However, keep in mind that the baristas spend their entire workdays creating delicious coffees. Furthermore, the owners and higher-ups in the businesses have dedicated their lives to good coffee. Spending a few minutes each morning at your home coffee bar is different from having a career in the field.

Standard Recipes

Another benefit of going to a coffee shop is that the baristas will follow standard recipes. They aren't experimenting with different ingredients while trying to find just the right mixture, which is an approach that you might take at home. These coffee experts are working with recipes that have been successful for some time. Also, most coffee shops bring new recipes in once in a while, so you have seasonal favorites and the like to look forward to.

Part of the thrill of getting a good cup of coffee from a shop has to do with not having to exert the energy yourself to make the product. The other benefits come from the fact that professional baristas are crafting a product with which they have much experience.