Changes a la Starbux

As some of you have heard, Starbucks is not doing as well these days as it used to. We're in a recession and paying a premium for an "experience" has gotten kinda old. I mean, it was cute an all when it was just one Starbucks a block or two away from home. Now they are just everywhere and the saturation game is not winning Starbucks new fans. Yesterday, the company has quietly released the full list of stores it plans to shut down as part of it's plans to close 600 stores.

Well, good. Who needs a store in some random location, where frankly patrons don't know a latte or a cappucino from a cup of Folgers even if their life depended on it. "Thems are onna those AYtalian things?...."

On a recent trip (yesterday) I convinced my local barista to make me a sample of their new Vivanno shake that the company is rolling out to expand it's non coffee line up. (Oh yeah, I am not paying for something I don't like, so I justify my demand for a sample.)

Impressions: YUMMY! I'll take a Venti please. :)

Iced espresso controversy

Today's news digest wasn't particularly thrilling until I ran into the story picked up by virtually every major news organization. The story centres on one Jeff Simmermon.

The story goes like this...

Jeff goes into Murky Coffee in Arlington, VA and orders an iced espresso. The barista behind the counter declines, citing company policy, stating (according to Jeff):

“This is our store policy, to preserve the integrity of the coffee. It’s about the quality of the drink, and diluting the espresso is really not cool with us..."

Jeff loses it at this point, demands espresso and ice and proceeds to mix it himself. Barista shudders with horror and tells Jeff that his action is just not cool. Jeff tells him to F#$% himself and barista gets a dollar tip with a note written on it that can be seen in the original blog post by Jeff. (btw, I sort of summarized here but Jeff does a much better job telling it in his own words)

Despite all the drama of Jeff, espresso over ice, Murky coffee (clearly Jeff was just in a wrong place at the wrong time) the whole thing just wont die down. Oh did I mention he is from NY? Oh yeah, for New Yorkers out there , you know consumerism at its purest. I.e. Give me what I want , how I want it, and I want it NOW! - (money handing over motion)

I admit, I am spoiled by the uber customization of Starbucks, that allows you to get coffee in an almost ridiculously unrecognizable state. Mint Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino® blended creme with Chocolate Whipped Cream anyone?

I do LOVE espresso over ice. Simply, iced Americano, no water. I get it almost every day in the heat of summer, and then finish it on the way to work while I watch my blood pressure go up. I like mine with just the right amount of half-n-half and good number of Splenda packets.. Tastes like sugar, right? :P

For more expert opinion on the controversy, I turned to coffee geeks... Enjoy the read