{"id":6026,"date":"2026-10-14T12:19:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T01:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jugular.org.au\/?p=6026"},"modified":"2026-10-14T12:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T01:20:00","slug":"a-comprehensive-medical-students-guide-to-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jugular.org.au\/index.php\/2026\/10\/14\/a-comprehensive-medical-students-guide-to-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"A Comprehensive Medical Student\u2019s Guide to Coffee"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>7 Minute, 23 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n

Written By Kiran Nayager
Edited by Carolyn Wang<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many, if not most medical students, if you see me at any time of the day, there is a 95% chance I will be holding  an iced oat latte in my hand. I think I\u2019ve drunk enough coffee that my blood would be coloured a rich, creamy brown. I have fortuitously (or not), become a regular customer to at least three coffee shops. But why do I (we) love coffee so much? What is the difference between all the coffee types at a cafe? Where are the best places to get a coffee? I\u2019ll cover all of this in my comprehensive guide to coffee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do we drink coffee?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When asked why they drink coffee regularly, many individuals cite taste as a primary factor. This is backed by a recent cross-sectional study[1]<\/sup>, which found that across 600 people, taste was the strongest overall motive for drinking coffee, including taste\/smell of the beverage. Personally I love the earthy, nutty aroma of coffee, and when combined with the mellowness of milk over ice, it makes sense that taste would be a primary factor. Anecdotally, I also think taste is becoming a driving factor for caffeine consumption as cafes increase the variety of modifications available for coffee. Think syrups, weak\/strong\/decaf options, alternative milks and flavourings, which all branch away from the traditional Venetian style of coffee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study also found that caffeine\u2019s induction of increased alertness through decreased fatigue, invigoration and improved concentration was another significant factor for coffee consumption. Other cited reasons were the social aspect of going to a cafe and having coffee with friends, habitual routines and symptom management for headaches and low blood pressure. As a student, studying in the ambiance of cafes with companions (both humans and drinks) boosts my productivity immensely. The sound of beans grinding and the rich aroma they release, the slight squeak from the milk frother and bustling chatter interspersed by order calls all contribute to the satisfying white noise of cafes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your reason for drinking coffee, there are some disadvantages to chronic caffeine consumption. These include gastrointestinal tract upset, increased risk of hypertension and predisposition to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, and most prominent, caffeine withdrawal \u2013 characterised by headache, fatigue and dizziness, digestive[2]<\/sup>. Nonetheless, it\u2019s not just the energy boost I get from coffee, but the myriad of comforting experiences it is associated with, which draw me back each time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That, and slight caffeine withdrawal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to order at a cafe?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. See a review\/Tik Tok\/video about a cafe, or simply walk past a busy looking cafe and want to give it a try
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Go to cafe and wait in line while looking at the menu
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Contemplate what to get as you wonder what the different drinks mean, have in them and taste like
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  4. Realise you\u2019re at the front of the queue without having made up your mind
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Panic and order the first thing that comes to your mind, which is most likely not what you actually wanted to get<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I think the above steps are a universal experience when visiting a new cafe, even for \u2018seasoned pros\u2019, such as myself. Contributing to this is the array of unique options for coffee at individual cafes, as well as a desire to try something new and not stick with a basic order. Here, I\u2019ll go over the main coffee types all cafes brew, and a few specialty coffees which can add a little variation to your routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Latte, flat white and cappuccino <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos are all a mixture of an espresso shot with milk. Latte<\/em> derives from Italian, meaning milk. Thus, lattes have a low espresso:milk ratio, and have a mild coffee taste, making it perfect for people who are searching for the caffeine hit without the bitterness. Flat whites, however, have a high espresso:milk ratio, and are topped with a small layer of foam. This makes them more coffee-forward, with a stronger, more bitter taste. Lastly, cappuccinos have an equal division of one third milk, one third espresso and one third foam. The thick, pillowy layer of foam is paired with dusted chocolate powder for a slightly sweet first sip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Most cafes offer these three drinks in regular or large sizes, with some having a small size. Typically, small\/regular sizes have one shot of coffee and large sizes have two shots of coffee. However, this is highly dependent on the cafe, so if you\u2019d like to check, it\u2019s always ok to ask!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Left<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Macchiato and piccolo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Macchiato<\/em> derives from the Italian word for \u2018marked\u2019 or \u2018stained\u2019, which is reflected in its composition of an espresso shot with a dash of milk. Piccolos, sometimes called cortados, have a ristretto shot and a 1:1 ratio of ristretto to milk. A ristretto shot is a shorter, milder espresso shot. Basically, a macchiato is a slightly diluted espresso shot, whereas a piccolo is a half-sized latte. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Americano and long black<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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      1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Americanos and long blacks are essentially the same drink \u2013 a single or double shot of espresso with hot water. However, long blacks retain the golden foam layer from the espresso as hot water is added before the shot, whereas americanos do not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Iced drink supremacy!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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        1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          I love iced caffeinated drinks. Back on the topic, iced drinks include iced latte, iced coffee, iced long black and cold brew. The difference between an iced latte and iced coffee is that the latter typically contains a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and\/or cream. Iced long blacks are made similarly to long blacks, whereas cold brews extract coffee flavour from coarse grounds over time with cold water, compared to the normal rapid passing of hot water through fine coffee grounds. This gives cold brews a characteristic smoother and less bitter flavour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Speciality drinks \u2013 Mont Blanc<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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          1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Many cafes have also developed their own combination of modifications to standard coffee orders, with the Mont Blanc recently rising in popularity (at least in Sydney). Typically, the drink is a cold brew topped with a velvety cap of lightly whipped cream, orange zest and sometimes grated nutmeg, making the drink a flavourful blend of citrus and earthy coffee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Where to order coffee?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Personal taste in both beverage type and coffee roast blend is essential when evaluating a coffee place, so the following suggestions are based on my own opinion and preferences (iced oat latte, medium roast). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Quintessential to the university experience, students find themselves on campus from 9am-5pm most, if not all, weekdays. Cafe Brioso (outside Matthews food court) has always been my go to spot as they are open early in the morning to quite late in the evening. Their prices are also quite reasonable, especially for iced coffees, and I love their medium roast. The milk:espresso ratio is a little higher than other places, so sometimes I find myself ordering an extra shot. They have a few specialty coffees and high quality food selection, making them the best one-stop shop for me. Pair that with a loyalty card and I\u2019m sold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If I\u2019m feeling a bit adventurous and perhaps bored of the university landscape, a quick walk from upper campus to the Randwick light stop is always a rewarding journey. As someone who does not enjoy walking, I can promise the trek uphill to 22 Grams is always worth it. The perfect combination from this cafe is an iced oat mocha with their apple pastry. While some mochas can be quite heavy or overly sweet, 22 Grams achieves a smooth, light and rich balance of darkness, bitterness and creaminess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Lastly, as a change up to my regular order, a trip to AP bakery (preferably the Surry Hills location) is my new favourite indulgence. While they are primarily known for their pastries, their Mont Blanc is among the best I have tried in Sydney. Though it is on the pricier side of iced drinks, I think it is justified, especially when paired with food and the reassuring mixture of bustling atmosphere and serene balcony views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            References<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            [1] \u00c1goston, C., Urb\u00e1n, R., Kir\u00e1ly, O., Griffiths, M. D., Rogers, P. J., & Demetrovics, Z. (2018). Why Do You Drink Caffeine? The Development of the Motives for Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire (MCCQ) and Its Relationship with Gender, Age and the Types of Caffeinated Beverages. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction<\/em>, 16<\/em>(4), 981\u2013999. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11469-017-9822-3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            [2] Jamil, S., Raza, M. L., & Naqvi, S. (2024). Behavioral and psychological aspects of coffee consumption. Progress in Brain Research<\/em>, 289<\/em>, 151\u2013168. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/bs.pbr.2024.06.006<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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