What Does ‘Venti’ Really Mean?

When it comes to ordering coffee from your favorite cafe, it can be difficult to remember all the different size options. Venti is one of these sizes and is often confused for being the largest option. But do you know what ‘venti’ actually means? Keep reading to find out.

The History of Venti

Venti is an Italian word meaning ‘twenty’. As for the reason it found its way into the coffee industry, it’s due to Starbucks’ Italian roots. The chain’s original founders, Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker, wanted to bring the flavor and culture of Italian coffee houses to the US. So they chose Italian-sounding sizes for their coffee cups.

In Italian coffee culture, coffee is generally served much smaller than it is in the US. Small coffee cups can range anywhere between two and four ounces, while the average American coffee cup is between eight and sixteen ounces. When Starbucks was founded, they wanted to separate their coffee sizes from those in the Italian coffee industry, so they decided to double the standard Italian cup size to their own ‘venti’ cup size.

Measurable Sizes

So now that we know what venti means, let’s go over exactly how much coffee is in each cup size. The smallest cup size offered at Starbucks is the ‘Short’ size, which is eight ounces. The next size up, ‘Tall’, is twelve ounces. Venti follows, at twenty ounces. ‘Grande’ is the largest cup size and contains twenty-four ounces.

For those looking for something a little larger, there is the ‘Trenta’ size. This is the Starbucks largest size, ranging from thirty to thirty-two ounces. However, it isn’t offered for all drinks and is exclusive to hot and iced coffee, iced tea and cold brew.

Getting Your Perfect Cup

Now that you know what ‘venti’ really means, you can order with confidence. Whether you’re on your way to work and need an extra large cup of coffee to get you through the morning or you’re looking for something a little more manageable, ‘venti’ is the perfect size for you. Just don’t forget to ask for that venti-sized cup of espresso at the counter!