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Starbucks coffee not as strong as it used to be

Can someone please tell me what's the deal with Starbucks these days?  Okay they usually have a reasonable place to sit down and drink but what are we drinking when we go there?  The coffee certainly isn't as strong as it used to be in my opinion.

I love a mug of strong coffee with milk in the morning.  It's often all I have for breakfast (bad I know), so I like it to be good.  On the unfortunate occasions when I can only get to a Starbucks, I order a grande cappuccino and what do I get?  I get a cup of hot frothy milk and you can barely taste the coffee.  So, I pay for another espresso shot and it's STILL "milk au lait".  So I order yet another espresso shot and finally it's passable (certainly not unpleasantly strong!).

Now you could be forgiven for thinking the extra money would result in a bigger drink, but no.  I peel off the top and blow the froth and the surface of the coffee is still just above the halfway (and those cups have a good 15mm of airspace concealed in their base).

Coffee beans I am generally disappointed with the quality of the coffee at Starbucks and I often feel that I've been ripped off when I go there.  I generally try to avoid Starbucks but sometimes it's hard to do that.

Sometimes I just have to have my caffeine fix and depending on where I am they're the only option.  Interestingly enough, other people I have spoken to who love coffee agree with this, so one has to ask how Starbucks are still around?

Maybe people just put up and shut up, or they're not that bothered about the coffee they drink.  I am, so I'll be doing my best to make sure I don't have to use them in the future.

By: Hooked on the bean

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Sansburys Organic baked beans are pale & tasteless. Not a patch on Branston Beans.

-5

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Tracey - 2-Sep-11 17:12 

Starbucks coffee is simply crap. It doesn't even taste like coffee. It's some sort of 'watered-down, diluted' wet stuff - no comparison to the coffee that is being sold at other coffee outlets. Starbucks need to take a serious look at what they are actually selling, rather than all the money they spend on marketing etc. Costa Coffee rips people off, as do Pret Manger, Cafe Nero and Coffee Republic. However, at least the coffee they do sell actually tastes like 'coffee'. Starbucks need to buy different beans and have a serious look at how they are making their coffee. Quite simply, it is crap!

+10

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miserablemoaninggit - 26-Mar-11 21:27 

Maxwell house, Irish coffee is actually an alcoholic beverage, starbucks trades exclusively in non-alcoholic beverages, that is why you cannot buy an irish coffee there. Perhaps you could try a pub?

+12

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youthull griper - 26-Mar-11 06:56 

Try asking for an Irish coffee in Starbucks.They will just laugh at you.This is Rip-off Britain with Starbucks being one of many outlets selling overpriced rubbish.

+4

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Maxwell House - 25-Mar-11 22:50 

Agree with this gripe totally. Of all the coffee outlets Starbucks has to be the worst. Huge ugly mugs and weak coffee. it is amazing how Starbucks are so popular. I can only conclude that it is liked by people who do not like real coffee, figure.

+6

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islwynpaul - 18-Mar-11 17:43 

I can't get a decent grande at starbucks without adding three extra shots too. I can't usually afford it so I go without instead of having the half cup of milky liquid.

+5

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Goochi - 17-Oct-10 08:18 

Try some eight o clock dark roast. It's half the cost and just as good....or any store brand of expresso roast or cuban coffee. Put the same amount as you'd normally use in your coffee maker and you'll be set.

+8

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John - 7-Oct-10 23:41 

and bless I released my typo should be foam not phone.

-8

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Carefulcontentmaybehot......un - 15-Aug-10 00:34 

Starbucks has always been a milder blend as they use a high percentage of Arabica beans. It is the preferred style of Coffee I believe in the States.

You have a choice and free will. If you dont like the coffee dont go there. By going you are only reinforcing the fact you want to go there and buy coffee you say is substandard and that you must actually have some affinity for. Otherwise why would you go there?

Unless there is some form of self harm being inflicted by punishing yourself with a skinny Venti carmel machiactio extra phone light on the caramel in a mug to eat in.

-8

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Carefulcontentmaybehot......on - 15-Aug-10 00:30 

That's crap woodins. You got sacked along with all those other w/bankers for being irresponsible and dumping the country into this morass. No coffee for you, dude. Should be bread and water.

-7

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Shadeser - 1-Aug-10 03:04 

@Linden

Yep thats me lol.

Was part of the jamie's wine bar set for awhile. Even a materialistic and self-serving monster like me couldn't hack the BS of the square mile and moved on to more fulfilling (although less lucrative I have to admit) pastures.

-4

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woodins - 19-Jul-10 17:57 

woodins

When I saw your user name, it rang a bell but I could not place it. Then you mentioned Bishopsgate and I thought "Woodin's Shades", the pub opposite Liverpool St station!

The coffee shop you are talking about, is it that small Aussie run place in New St- Taylor Street Baristas I think it is called? I like strong coffee but with a good taste and not bitter. Is it worth a try?

-8

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Linden - 14-Jul-10 19:25 

"people who sit in London coffee shops with their imacs open, pretending to right an "edgy" script for channel 4."

Yeah, most of the 'edgy' scripts need to be righted.

+7

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shellac - 14-Jul-10 12:35 

When I worked up Bishops gate, I often went to the independant coffee shop that was across the road before the entrance to Liverpool street station. Was at first surprised it survived, what with it being swamped by Costa and Starbucks etc. After one cup I realised why. Colleagues and I would liken it to doing a line of "Bolivian marching powder" (yep Daily Mail readers, for once the scaremogering is true, cocaine use is rife in the square mile). Would keep me hyped up all day, It actually made me quit smoking and drinking coffee as I was constantly hyped-up lol. That and the fact that I could stand the coffee slurping "smugatitude" of people who sit in London coffee shops with their imacs open, pretending to right an "edgy" script for channel 4.

-8

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woodins - 13-Jul-10 12:32 

If you hate the well known coffee chains, you're better off going to an independent italian coffee shop if you want stronger coffee. But they can often be more expensive and the quality inconsistent. Burnt milk, coffee much too bitter, too much chocolate powder on the cappuccino froth are all features of independent coffee outlets that can make the whole experience not very worthwhile. But once you find a good one that serves Illie coffee the way it served in Italy - very smooth, strong tasting and with a natural formed crema on top generated from pouring the milk (not airy 'shaving' foam spooned on top to bulk it out, as you will often find in any coffee shop), and finished off with a very light dusting of cocoa or cinnamon for aesthetic purposes only you won't want to go elsewhere.

+3

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Grumpy xx - 11-Jul-10 21:11 

Sorry to say that Starbucks coffee is nothing like coffee should be - I'm surprised that they are allowed to call it coffee. Most people suggest that Caffe Nero or Costa do the best coffee. Perhaps it's a con by Starbucks to get you to pay more for an extra shot - in my experience you'd need about 10 extra shots!

+6

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Robert - 11-Jul-10 12:34 

Yes, they are overpriced, panninis in Costa are nearly £4 for what is just a very thin flattened, toasted sandwich. They used to be nice but there is virtually no filling in them and I have stopped buying them as they are poor value.

Nearly all the branches of these chains that I have been in are also appallingly overheated in the winter, not air conditioned in the summer and inflict piped music on their customers. Starbucks is usually air conditioned but has the worst coffee.

Branches of Pod in London have quite nice organic coffee but have the loudest piped music I have ever heard.

-2

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magog - 10-Jul-10 19:15 

Yes, I used to go into Starbucks almost every day. Then one day, a visiting friend argued for going to Costa's, and I reluctantly agreed. Well, what a difference! The coffee in Costa is far superior - much more taste; more depth; better quality. Starbucks coffee - I tend to only drink the Americanos - is so shallow; diluted in comparison. So, I now go to Costas every day. However, I would say the same thing for Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Pret Manger, Cafe Nero - they are all too bloody expensive!

+5

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miserablemoaninggit - 10-Jul-10 19:05 

Try tea. It's much better for you than coffee and it can't be dressed up the way coffee is.

-6

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Man D - 10-Jul-10 18:29 

Guardian headline today:

"Starbucks losses in UK rise to £10m" .....well of course!

"Starbucks loses ground to Costa Coffee in recession" .....sure! That's because people go into Starbucks looking for coffee and they get a half cup of very expensive hot milk.

I could turn Starbucks' fortunes around in a heartbeat.

It's the coffee stupid!

-5

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Hooked on the bean. - 10-Jul-10 11:42 

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