I love starbucks because I can rent a seat for a few hours to hang out with somebody or use their internet (if traveling) and it only costs a cup of coffee. I'm still using a free starbucks gift card I got years ago, and I also get free birthday coffee for some reason.
The coffee tastes okay.
I'll say this: I'd pick a cup of Starbucks standard Pike's Place black or with half and half (no sugar or syrupy crap) over McDonald's or other fast food chain, any gas station or convenience store, any coffee break room...<snip>
It's funny that some are panning Starbucks for being coffee for those who don't like coffee, but Keurigs and other flavored coffees (Millstone at the grocery store) go unmentioned. I'd take a home-ground and pressed cup of Starbucks over any Keurig I've ever had any day, and I use a Keurig occasionally in the office.
I buy coffee at Costco: Kirkland Colombian in a can for w*rkday use, and whole beans for grinding on the weekends. I make it fairly strong, then add a touch of heavy cream.
Generally only visit a Starbucks for a mocha or latte to drink while wondering around the Barnes and Nobles next door. Have not been impressed with their regular coffee...
I used to have a standing monthly order for Green Mountain coffee shipped to my house. Very good coffee, in general. But then I ordered bags of beans. I think the Keurig machines make tasteless, crappy coffee even out of good stuff.
Now I just roast my own.
Back when Starbucks first started I remember thinking they were crazy. Nobody would pay 5 times what coffee was going for, and all the silly speak for sizes, drinks, etc. people would just laugh at, who would go for that?
The first lecture of my Italian class the teacher asked if anyone knew any Italian... Then proved they did because they new the sizes of Starbucks coffees.Back when Starbucks first started I remember thinking they were crazy. Nobody would pay 5 times what coffee was going for, and all the silly speak for sizes, drinks, etc. people would just laugh at, who would go for that? Well apparently plenty. Learned later from in interview with one of the founders that their silly speak was designed from the start to make people (who learned their lingo) to feel part of an exclusive club. Apparently it worked very very well. Sometimes I just like to listen to the orders members of the club give to what after the 80s we learned to call a barista. Don't ever ask me for investment advice (if anyone would anyway) I thought the first version of Windows was silly too and told people not to invest in Microsoft. What is the moral of this story? I still don't know.
The first lecture of my Italian class the teacher asked if anyone knew any Italian... Then proved they did because they new the sizes of Starbucks coffees.
Grande, venti (20 oz) etc.
That lingo is spreading Italian through America. LOL.
We splurged on some ground coffee - Marley Jamaica Blue Mountain. It was amazing - I have to try some more.
Third, when I came back from several years living in Brazil (world's best coffee IMHO), I searched high and low for something drinkable here, and finally settled on Starbucks Caffe Verona as about the best of the lot. That is still my regular morning coffee, made simply in a drip machine.
Last Saturday I bought a pound of Caffe Verona, have enjoyed it for three days, and could easily get used to this coffee. It is definitely an improvement over most of the beans I have tried in the past couple of years. Even better, it is easy to buy, widely available and not too expensive. I'm still going to try a few others, but suddenly there is no need to rush, I now have a good option.Third, when I came back from several years living in Brazil (world's best coffee IMHO), I searched high and low for something drinkable here, and finally settled on Starbucks Caffe Verona as about the best of the lot. That is still my regular morning coffee, made simply in a drip machine.
Starbucks tests coffee with beer taste
Starbucks tests a stout and caramel flavored coffee drink.
Ha
Don't ever ask me for investment advice (if anyone would anyway) I thought the first version of Windows was silly too and told people not to invest in Microsoft.