For the first time ever I went to Starbucks today and...

[rustychisel]

try to find a decent cup of coffee in the US and you quickly come to value the humble Starbucks. They aren't the best but they sure aren't the worst.

 

[Globalti]

The Starbucks in Manchester's St Mary's Square is filthy, so filthy that we have even written to them about it. We refuse to set foot in the place and we go to Eat round the corner next to Habitat.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Am I alone in simply not liking the taste of Starbucks coffee? They obviously roast it in a particular way to produce beans that look as if the surface has been oiled. I suppose it is one of those love it or hate it flavours.

The thing about coffee beens is getting the roast which you gives you the flavour you like. I eventually tracked down one which exactly hits the button for me and then bought a genuine Italian espresso machine (all shiny steel, tubes and pressure dials) and now I'm fairly confident that I make the best cappucino in town and save a fortune as a result of going to the local cafe loads less than before.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

try to find a decent cup of coffee in the US and you quickly come to value the humble Starbucks.

I've always found that most diners in America do a decent coffee. I'm not so keen on the big brand shops mainly because they heat the stuff to lava-like temperatures

 

[Norm]

Am I alone in simply not liking the taste of Starbucks coffee? They obviously roast it in a particular way to produce beans that look as if the surface has been oiled. I suppose it is one of those love it or hate it flavours.

I think the Starbucks roast is more bitter than, for instance, the Costa coffee.

 

[atbman]

Since I don't have a clue what all the names mean, I always ask for a black coffee and add, as an afterthought, "Oh, could you put some cream in, please?".

By the way, am I right in thinking that latte is milk? So that a latte is coffee, white?

 

[Leah]

My OH is a coffee nerd, and Starbucks and Costa don't cut it.

He buys his own from hasbean coffee, and has an aeropress. Starbucks and Costa etc are all too commercialised to care, and have all this 'fair trade' stuff. The hasbean company pay a lot more for their coffee than the fair trade scheme ever will, and the bloke who runs it knows the farmers by name. The quality of the coffee (though I don't drink it, so feel free to completely disregard everything I say) is far better than some mass produced, badly made, burnt coffee

 

[Arch]

Since I don't have a clue what all the names mean, I always ask for a black coffee and add, as an afterthought, "Oh, could you put some cream in, please?".

By the way, am I right in thinking that latte is milk? So that a latte is coffee, white?

Latte is very milky. It's hot milk, with a shot of espresso added. As opposed to black coffee, with a dash of milk (or cream).

Cappucino is latte only frothier. I think. I've never been sure of the difference. I do know that a cappucino is named after a type of monk (the Capuchins) who wore a brown robe with a white hood...

I think what you're having is an Americano (expresso shot plus hot water) with cream.

Mocha is coffee and chocolate, and oddly, I've never ordered one. I should.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm reminded of the coffee ordering scene from L.A. Story ...

Tom: I'll have a decaf coffee.
Trudi: I'll have a decaf espresso.
Morris Frost: I'll have a double decaf cappuccino.
Ted: Give me decaffeinated coffee ice cream.
Harris: I'll have a half double decaffeinated half-caf, with a twist of lemon.
Trudi: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Tom: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Morris Frost: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Cynthia: I'll have a twist of lemon.

 

[Yellow Fang]

My OH is a coffee nerd, and Starbucks and Costa don't cut it.

He buys his own from hasbean coffee, and has an aeropress. Starbucks and Costa etc are all too commercialised to care, and have all this 'fair trade' stuff. The hasbean company pay a lot more for their coffee than the fair trade scheme ever will, and the bloke who runs it knows the farmers by name. The quality of the coffee (though I don't drink it, so feel free to completely disregard everything I say) is far better than some mass produced, badly made, burnt coffee

I have to agree about Starbucks and Costa. The coffee in my local cafe is much nicer. It's a pity he keeps the radio on all the time.

 

[sarahpink]

ditto to starbucks being bitter, much prefer costa. starbucks are good for their fun style drinks, frapps etc

 

[Maz]

A more important question...do either Costas or Starbucks do FairTrade coffee?

 

[Norm]

A more important question...do either Costas or Starbucks do FairTrade coffee?

Both.

As Leah said earlier...

Starbucks and Costa etc are all too commercialised to care, and have all this 'fair trade' stuff. The hasbean company pay a lot more for their coffee than the fair trade scheme ever will, and the bloke who runs it knows the farmers by name.

 

[Maz]

Both.

As Leah said earlier...

Ah yes, I need to wake up and smell the mocha...

 

[Norm]

Mmmmmocha... I'm thirsty now.