As we get ready to record and launch the first Podcast, I'm noticing food-related articles around the Web more often. The Economist recently ran an article about Pepsi and Starbucks trying to revitalize their brands. This response highlights my biggest problems with Starbucks:
In Starbucks' case, it's not the ambience that puts off consumers, it's the coffee. If only they roasted it a bit less. My colleagues agree that if they had another option they wouldn't buy Starbucks but, since there is a Starbucks on nearly every block around our office in the District, our options are limited.
I've had several questions from people I know asking why Starbucks torches their coffee, and the answer is "Consistency". Starbucks wants a consistent cup of coffee, just like McDonalds wants the Big Mac to taste the same wherever you go, so they over-roast it to remove any minor flavor variations in the beans. I prefer Seattle's Best Coffee over Starbucks, as they roast for flavor rather than consistency.
With Starbucks locations on every block, as the commenter points out, it's a bit difficult not to grab a cup from them. Even though the coffee has some problems, it's still better than Foldgers.
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Does the aggressive roast
Does the aggressive roast lower the caffiene content or raise it? I vaguely remember someone saying that it lowered it, but I'm vague a lot of the time...
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Creator of the Really Big Things Podcast serial
Find Really Big Things as Part of Jack Mangan's Deadpan Podcast
http://www.jackmangan.com
The "aggressive" (a.k.a BURN
The "aggressive" (a.k.a BURN IT!) roast does, indeed, lower the caffeine content. It also does funky things to some of the more subtle oils and flavoring compounds, eliminating some and turning others hideously bitter.
I personally prefer Peet's
I personally prefer Peet's coffee if I am going to make my own.
Otherwise there is a nice local coffee shop near the house where I can get coffee, tea and homemade gelato and sorbeto.
I tend to like a local
I tend to like a local (Minnesota) chain - Dunn Bros. Of course I never say no to the free Caribou Blend from the coffee service at work...
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Creator of the Really Big Things Podcast serial
Find Really Big Things as Part of Jack Mangan's Deadpan Podcast
http://www.jackmangan.com
Also like local.
I'm from east Tennessee, and when I was growing up my Mom always bought JFG (it's made at a factory in Knoxville). It's the smell and taste that brings back so many memories of home. I still like JFG and usually get it, but I had a cup of Starbucks' morning blend at the local hospital cafeteria while visiting a relative. I loved it! I had tried other brands and types of coffee, but they were always too strong for my taste. Of course, I'm one of those people real coffee drinkers stick their noses up to. I cannot drink it black. I've got to have lots of cream and splenda.
-Patty in East Tennessee
Over roasting for the flavored drinks
My belief is that they over roast on purpose so the flavored drinks (half-caf-soy-frappachino-latte-green-tee-smoothie with a dash of nutmeg) still taste like coffee after being covered in sweetened flavoring syrups and heavy whipping cream.
The coffee is really just a mixing base for their very profitable flavored drinks ... seriously, how many people order just a coffee at $tarbuck$ anymore?
The College Years... *sigh*
I miss the days of college, when there was a coffee/icecream/floral/photodeveloper shop between my apartment and classes. Where they served Starbucks coffee but were not a franchise. Where I could get a large chocolate malt with three shots of espresso before afternoon classes.
Tim, doesn't a large chocolate malt with three shots of espresso sound much nicer than all that "Mtn Don't" you are known for over at WI?
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Creator of the Really Big Things Podcast serial
Find Really Big Things as Part of Jack Mangan's Deadpan Podcast
http://www.jackmangan.com
Totally agree with you on
Totally agree with you on Seattle's Best. Out this way, Bucks' County also makes good stuff.
It has always boggled my mind that so many people buy Starbucks on purpose given how awful it is. How does a coffee chain with awful coffee become a global brand? It's their reason for existing and it isn't any good!
Starbucks and Seattle's Best
I remember reading that Seattle's Best and Starbucks are owned by the same parent company. Starbucks purchased Seattle's Best sometime around 2003. That said, my favorite coffee shops are the independent ones or small, local chains around town. I especially like Caffe Italia in Little Italy (San Diego's). There's nothing like a good cappuccino made by someone who knows what cappuccino is supposed to taste like.
Show me a place anywhere
Show me a place anywhere within an hours driving distance that knows how to make a real chocolate malt, and I am there.
Yeah, I know I can make it myself, but malts are one of those rare foods that I think can be better bought than made. Part of the "malt" experience, for me, is going out someplace with my friends and sitting around having a good time. Malts I make tend to taste a little flatter at home for this reason.
I suppose that's one of the reasons I'll still frequent Starbucks now and then: I enjoy the social aspect more than the coffee. That also explains why I usually order an apple juice.
I know one of those, right
I know one of those, right in downtown Phoenix, an old style soda shop/diner. I'll have to search out the name and address for you though... so I'll have to get back to you.
Co-host of Food Geeking
Starbucks...coffee? Nope, sorry, concept not understood
Unfortunately that abomination of a chain has been down this end of the world for a while, along with others.... The problem, of course, is that Starbucks (and associated ephemera) don't actually server anything that resembles coffee.
EXTERMINATE!
Like Seattle's Best
Like Seattle's Best better?
SAME COMPANY, SAME BRAND, SAME PLANT, SAME ROAST. Often times the same beans sold under different names.
Also...
The Starbucks Roast is in the tradition of Northern Italy and is commonly called the "Vienna Roast." The roast is curved to highlight as many aspects of the coffees as possible; this may indeed lead to the reduction of some as a trade-off for the enhancement of others. At least do an even-handed evaluation.
Starbucks taste
Starbucks could not be so big serving coffee people do not like.
I love it and so do millions of others (obviously ) I can't imagine the
following. "Hey guys, let's go over to Starbucks and get a cup of lousy
coffee" ! " It is not very good but it sure is expensive"!
I am not a Starbucks apologist but millions of people like that stuff.
People pay $3 and $4 only because they like it.