How a Teen’s Fake Espresso Order Shaped Her Coffee Obsession

Ever ordered something fancy at a coffee shop just to impress someone—even if you had no idea what you were getting into? That’s exactly what 13 (Miss 13) did as a teen, and her story reveals how coffee shops became more than just places for caffeine, but stages for identity, curiosity, and awkward first sips.

Key fact: At 15, she confidently ordered an espresso (a 1:2 brewed shot, typically 25–30ml) to seem ‘cool,’ only to find it unbearably bitter—her first taste of real coffee after years of sugary instant.

The ‘Starbucks Challenge’ Joke That Defined Her Early Mockery

Before she understood coffee, 13 mocked those she saw as ‘uncultured.’ Her favorite joke? Telling a guy outside a newly opened Starbucks in Wenzhou (who was drinking coffee on the curb) that she’d buy him ‘as much Starbucks as he could drink until he threw up.’ She’d repeat this line to mock ‘common’ coffee drinkers—people she’d never be friends with. Yet, she wasn’t truly knowledgeable about coffee; she just liked pretending.

Why She Built Her Identity Around ‘Pretending’ to Love Coffee

13 openly admitted she positioned herself as ‘fake refined’—cultivating an image of being artistic, elegant, and trendy. Coffee shops became her favorite stage for this performance. She insisted Starbucks was ‘shallow, flavorless fast coffee’ (a common critique of its mass-market roast profile) and used that stance to seem discerning. But the truth? She was learning to love coffee through awkward moments and forced exposure.

Her First Real Coffee Experience: Espresso, the Hard Way

As a high school student, 13 spent her allowance on books and coffee shop visits, inspired by the ‘cool girls’ she read about in Anni Baobei’s novels. Terms like Starbucks, cappuccino, and espresso filled those pages, so when she finally sat down at a café, she boldly ordered an espresso—pronouncing it with a shaky accent. The barista praised her, saying, ‘It’s rare to see such a young customer order espresso.’ Flattered, she lied and said she drank it often. But the moment she tasted it, she was hit with intense bitterness—the sharp, unbuffered punch of a straight espresso shot (no milk, no sugar), a far cry from the overly sweetened Nescafé she was used to. She called it her ‘first lesson in the consequences of pretending.’

How Coffee Shops Became Her Refuge

Over time, 13 kept returning to cafés—not just for coffee, but for the atmosphere. Whether traveling or staying local, she sought out cozy spots where she could read, take photos, and observe people. Each café felt like a ‘home base’ in a new city, with its own aesthetic and clientele. She even overheard wild stories, like a woman who dated her girlfriend by day and played housewife by night. These encounters, along with her own awkward coffee journey, motivated her to keep learning, reading, and building a repertoire of ‘cool’ knowledge to share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did 13 really hate espresso at first?

Yes—she found the taste unbearably bitter when she first tried it as a teen, having only drunk overly sweet instant coffee before. Her first espresso (a standard 1:2 ratio shot) was a shock to her palate, but she kept drinking it to maintain her ‘cool’ image.

Why did she pretend to like coffee?

13 built her identity around appearing artistic and refined. Claiming to love coffee (and mocking Starbucks) helped her seem sophisticated, even though she didn’t truly understand specialty coffee at the time.

What coffee shop habits did she develop?

She made coffee shops her go-to spaces for reading, people-watching, and escaping daily life. Each café became a ‘base’ where she felt comfortable, and she enjoyed the social and aesthetic elements as much as the drinks.

Was her espresso order really that unusual for a teen?

Yes—the barista even complimented her, saying it was rare to see a young customer order espresso. Most teens (and many adults) opt for sweeter, milk-based drinks, making her choice stand out.

Did she ever learn to enjoy real coffee?

While the article doesn’t say she became a full coffee expert, her repeated exposure to espresso and café culture eventually led her to appreciate the nuances—starting with that bitter first shot that taught her a lasting lesson.

What’s the takeaway from her story?

Even awkward or ‘fake’ beginnings can lead to genuine appreciation. 13’s journey shows how coffee shops serve as more than caffeine stops—they’re spaces for self-expression, storytelling, and personal growth.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for First-Time Espresso Drinkers

Start your espresso journey with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera—bright and fruity with blueberry and citrus notes, perfect for those transitioning from sweet drinks. For a smoother introduction, try the Yirgacheffe, offering jasmine and stone fruit with a lighter body. Both highlight the complexity of single-origin espressos without overwhelming bitterness. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.