One of the great things about social media is that ordinary people can quickly spread information to their family and friends. More quickly than you’d think, the info can spread globally in no time.

Of course, we do have problems with fake news, when the people who try to spread information don’t actually know what they’re talking about. But you know who really knows about Starbucks? They’re the people who actually work there. When they give out tips, you know for sure they’re talking straight.

So, here are 7 great tips from Starbucks employees that should help you form your informed decisions about what and how to order on your next visit!

1.     Sometimes, Venti is Better

Ordering a small drink at Starbucks may help you save some money in the short term. This is fine if a Tall order is all you need, and you’re forcing yourself to finish the drink if you get a Grande or a Venti. An order of caramel frappe is pricey (over $5), so you don’t have to go big if you don’t have to.

But if you keep going back for seconds, then maybe you need to reconsider that Tall cup. Keep in mind that a Venti is generally twice the amount of the Tall cup, but you don’t pay double for the Venti. In the long run, the Venti may actually be more economical.

2.     With the Starbucks Card, Iced or Brewed Coffee is Worth the Money

Some people only go to Starbucks when they’re looking for a fancy drink. For regular brewed or iced coffee, they find it more economical to go to another coffee shop.

But things change with the Starbucks card, which lets you get free refills for certain drinks. These generally include the basic beverages, like the hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold-brew coffee. It also works with hot and iced tea.

Despite what the snobs say, Starbucks actually use high-quality beans for their coffee. With the refills, you might even save money compared to getting your regular brews from some other coffee shop.

3.     For More Caffeine, Just Go with the Regular Brewed Coffee

Lots of people who need to work overnighters sprint to the nearby Starbucks for a quick shot of espresso. Sure, that’s all fast and all, but you may not be getting the caffeine you need.

According to the Starbucks employees, you only get about 75 mg of caffeine for each shot of espresso. That’s puny, compared to a small cup of brewed coffee using Pike Place medium roast. That brewed coffee gives you 235 mg of caffeine, which should really wake you up.

Do the math, and you’d need more than 3 shots of espresso to match that.

4.     Enhance Your Vanilla-Flavored Drink with a Shot of Blonde Espresso

Do you love ordering a vanilla latte with an additional pump of syrup? That’s good, but make it great with some blonde espresso as well.

The thing with blonde espresso is that its flavor is mild, and not as intense as darker roasts. Somehow, the mildness of the flavor works very well with vanilla-based beverages. These drinks are even better, just with that espresso addition.

5.     Stay In with Hot Tea

It’s true that plenty of people get their order and go when they visit Starbucks. But if you’re sitting in the coffee shop and staying a while, you may want to try the hot tea.

The tea here is high quality as well, plus you get a lot of it. It usually comes in a large mug, so you can take your time sipping and finishing the drink. You can get free refills if you’re a Rewards member. Even if you’re not, you may get refills at a reduced price.

6.     Warm Up the Pastries

The desserts and pastries that Starbucks offers have all been chosen carefully, as they actually pair nicely with the coffee. Many of the Starbucks employees we talked to say that they really like the banana-nut bread. It goes well with brewed coffee, even without milk or sugar. You get the sweetness from the banana-nut bread.

But to make it even better, ask that they warm up your pastry first. That’s especially true with the banana-nut bread, which tastes homemade when it’s heated.

7.     Don’t Go with the Hot Chocolate and the Sandwiches

Sure, you should always order what you want. It’s your money, and your own taste buds. But the problem with the Hot Chocolate in Starbucks is that it may be a tad overpriced, considering you’re paying more than $4 for a bit of chocolate sauce with milk.

With the sandwiches, the issue is that they’re not making them from scratch at Starbucks. These sandwiches are shipped in from outside sources, so freshness may be an issue. Instead, just go to a sandwich specialty joint—they may even offer cheaper hot chocolate!