Starbucks Coffee, Is it really good coffee

[xJulianx]

Personally I hate Starbucks coffee, but don't get me wrong, I hate all coffee from coffee shops.

The only coffee I like, is Nescafe Gold Blend instant coffee.

 

[GeorgeTheMonkey]

Their espresso coffees are huge, weak as piss and filled full of sugary syrups. One shot in a cup the size of their "tall" (which is the standard dose) is pathetic - that cup is so big that two or even three shots would be more appropriate. The short cup is more appropriate for a cappuccino (a cap should be no more than about 5 to 6 ounces in the US parlance with a one ounce shot of espresso - Starbucks put one ounce of coffee in a 12 ounce cup which is ridiculous) and tastes much better.

That brings up a very important point:

Never ask for a cappuccino at Starbucks. Uggh. Not only will you likely end up with a 16 or 20 oz. monstrosity, but they'll inevitably ask you whether you want it "Wet or Dry" – Starbucks seems to have a Seattle-style dry cappuccino fetish, and most Starbucks baristi don't understand that real cappuccinos aren't at all dry, are never in a size larger than 8 oz. (5 or 6 is more appropriate, as Chundles said), and are never, never, never served in paper cups. If you don't end up with something like this:

... then it isn't a real cappuccino.

There. I think that takes care of that.

 

[GanChan]

I have no particular love for the coffee there, but Starbucks figured out a long time ago that it really isn't about the coffee -- it's about the ambience.

If I recall correctly from an article I read, Starbucks originally had this obnoxiously loud hyper-Italian decor, with tall, butt-numbingly uncomfortable stools. It didn't do that well, either.

Then they did a bunch of market research and determined that basically what people wanted was a relaxed, living-roomish atmosphere, where they could read, lounge in comfy chairs, and chat with friends or have casual business meetings while sipping faux-posh beverages. And that's when they became mega-popular.

Starbucks is a hangout first, a coffee store second. They make their money off the drinks, of course, but it's the ambience that brings people in. And over time, people have just come to rely on Starbucks because there's one everywhere you turn, and there are no surprises there -- for better or worse.

 

[bartelby]

Starbucks is revolting.
It either tastes burnt or doesn't taste of coffee.

I've never come across a chainstore coffee place that can make a decent cup of coffee.

 

[iMacZealot]

What do you all think of Peaberry or Cairbou Coffee?

 

[zwida]

I used to go to Peets almost everyday since it was on my way to work...ever since I left that job, there's no easy way for me to get to Peets

Peets is my favorite as well. I moved from SF to NYC ten years ago and now only get it when I'm back in California or on a work trip to Boston.

I still get Peets shipped to me every month. Some habits die REALLY hard.

 

[zelmo]

I'd rather drink DD coffee if I need a quick fix and don't want to head to a local coffee house. Starbuck's regular coffee [as if they have regular coffee] is not that great. The only time I ever bother with Starbuck's is in the summer. If I'm really overheated I'll stop in for a mocha frappacino.

 

[lofight]

That brings up a very important point:

Never ask for a cappuccino at Starbucks. Uggh. Not only will you likely end up with a 16 or 20 oz. monstrosity, but they'll inevitably ask you whether you want it "Wet or Dry" – Starbucks seems to have a Seattle-style dry cappuccino fetish, and most Starbucks baristi don't understand that real cappuccinos aren't at all dry, are never in a size larger than 8 oz. (5 or 6 is more appropriate, as Chundles said), and are never, never, never served in paper cups. If you don't end up with something like this:

... then it isn't a real cappuccino.

There. I think that takes care of that.

But still on the photo it looks nice!!

 

[bousozoku]

But still on the photo it looks nice!!

I believe the photo was not an example of Starbucks deCappuccino (think decapitated ), but of some good Cappuccino.

 

[lofight]

I believe the photo was not an example of Starbucks deCappuccino (think decapitated ), but of some good Cappuccino.

ah okay i understand, isn't there a contest making the most beautiful design on the top of the coffee??

 

[Nickygoat]

ah okay i understand, isn't there a contest making the most beautiful design on the top of the coffee??

Indeed there is. It's called the World Barista Championship, although it covers flavour and technique as well as presentation.

 

[lofight]

Indeed there is. It's called the World Barista Championship, although it covers flavour and technique as well as presentation.

oh yes, i thought so,

 

[bousozoku]

I'm sure Starbucks don't care about making beautiful coffee, only making the most coffee.

 

[CalBoy]

I'm sure Starbucks don't care about making beautiful coffee, only making the most coffee.

Bingo. Starbucks gets a lot of business right now because of their sheer store deployment...it's hard not to find one. This reminds me of McDonalds. Ironically, McDonalds doesn't care too much about food either; most of their revenue comes from real estate.

 

[eluk]

Why are all decent London coffee shops run or staffed by Antipodeans?

They've closed so many pubs there aren't enough bar jobs to go round.