From gym rats to performative readers: Here’s what your campus cafe order says about you

Edinburgh students understand the importance of the university’s cafes: Special places to take a break from the pressure of seminars and studying, warming communal areas to sit and enjoy some delicious sweet treats or sip on a relaxing hot drink. 

We made the most of Scotland’s freedom of information laws to find out the most frequently purchased items from Edinburgh Uni’s outlets in the past year, so what exactly are the tasty and exciting items students are purchasing to fuel the lib sesh grind? Of course it’s still the bloody latte.

1. Latte

It truly is basic bitches galore at this university – at the top of our list is the humble and exceptionally boring latte. Who needs to taste the coffee in their coffee anyway? What better to fuel those gruelling late night library sessions than a large cup of hot milk.

2. Americano

Somehow even more boring, but in a serious and studious way. Americanos are for those of us who can’t be messing about with all this fancy coffee business.

You know this one’s making the list from the droves of turtle-necked students ordering “coffee. Just a coffee” at the university’s outlets. Efficient caffeine consumption over taste and/or enjoyment, every time – the old college academic’s latte.

3. Cappuccino

Finally, some variety – the Edinburgh cafe goers have allowed themselves the joy and extravagance of some froth.

A little chocolate powder here, a double shot here: The cappuccino is probably the most exciting of Edinburgh Uni’s most frequently purchased hot drinks. What does that say about campus culture?

4. Flat White

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Classy. Chic. Unexpected from the average Main Library goer. Bringing a slice of realism and sophistication to the university cafe scene, the flat white reflects the intellectuals among us.

They understand the appeal of a bit of frothy milk, but are adult enough to withstand the taste of actual coffee: A solid choice for serious study seshes.

5. Oat milk

The libs at the lib love a bit of oat milk. Save the planet and save the university from its financial black hole with the profits from that oat milk extra charge: Oat milk is a Gen Z staple, and clearly a beloved add-on to all the drinks listed in the most frequently purchased university outlet items. Soya who?

6. Cookie (of some description?)

The sweet treat that cannot be beat: It’s the classic cookie. What flavour, who cares? Sugar is the necessary companion to caffeine to combat the challenge of those 9am seminars, you may as well load up on all the stimulants you can. 

7. Iced latte

This is the Gen Z metropolitan cafe culture I recognise and expect. Sub-zero temperatures mean nothing to the devoted iced latte drinker: Get those ice cubes in a disposable cup, fill it almost to the brim, probably with oat milk, and shove in a shot or two of espresso. A perfect drink to fuel peak academic activity whilst serving on the fourth floor.

8. Soup

Edinburgh students love a bit of cosy comforts and an autumnal vibe. Soup is a classic choice, unsurprisingly featured here amongst the uni’s most frequently purchased items, temperature permitting (which is always). 

A satisfying, savoury, and solid option: Super warming and significantly more affordable than putting the heating on.

9. Chicken panini

This one’s for the gains. You’ve got to get those protein grams in somewhere and where better to start than the humble and – once again – exceptionally plain chicken panini (replacing the former king, the cajun chicken panini)?

A flavour explosion fit for the business school cafe x