Macchiatos are another instance of this predicament: is the sugar-infused Starbacks Caramel Macchiato truly representative of authentic Italian cafe fare? Most western cafes and coffee shops have integrated traditional Italian coffee culture but have twisted the essence into something different- the Frappuccino being a prime example.

Even harder is determining if your coffee is a classic cafe drink, or a syrup-heavy, watered down variation of the same. It can be troublesome to find your way through the array of espresso-based beverages choices that are offered these days.