Today I must say that my cup of Cafe Estima coffee from Starbucks was less than impressive. The beans had been so over roasted that it was impossible to pick up on any of the nuances of the blend. Starbucks is known for their dark roasting, but they cross the line from dark to burnt a little to often in my opinion. So I started to think a little bit about my overall opinion of Starbucks.
Most of the time when I order a cup of their drip coffee I don’t think it’s that great. It’s usually flat (read: not fresh) or roasted for so long that it tastes ashy. Their hot espresso based beverages (plain lattes or cappuccinos) are expensive and after ordering and tasting one, I find myself wishing I still had my $3.50 instead of this mediocre drink. I must say I do enjoy a Spiced Pumkin or Gingerbread Latte every now and then during the fall and winter, but when it comes to coffee, I can produce consistently better results in my own home for a fraction of the cost.
In their defense, I am a fan of Starbucks’ whole bean coffees. If I buy a pound at the store (reasonable priced around $12) and use either french press or drip method then a lot of times I get a pretty decent cup of coffee. I would love to see them have a bigger variety of their blends readily available to serve in the store, because Pikes Place just doesn’t cut it. I mean, would it be that out of the box to serve their own breakfast blend in the morning? Usually in the morning they have Pikes Place and another “bold” selection; usually Estima, Verona, or Sumatra. Unfortunately I find these 4 to be among their weakest offerings. (Don’t get me started on VIA)
I know that a huge chain coffee company like Starbucks has to make some sacrifices in order to please the masses, and its obvious that their business and marketing decisions have proved fruitful, I just wish they could bring a little more variety to the table.
But enough of my complaints. What do YOU think of Starbucks? Chime in with a comment
1972 Bronze Medalist by The Bad Plus