Starbucks stopped selling brewed coffee

[Packard]

The local Starbucks got rid of their urns of coffee.  They replaced them with industrial-strength Keurig one-cup-at-a-time instant coffee machines.

Apparently, if you drink your coffee with cream and sugar, the taste is identical to the brewed coffee.

But if you have drunk black coffee with no sugar your entire life, not so much.  At the back of my tongue, there is a chalky=bitterness that I don’t get from brewed coffee.

So I brought it back to the counter and asked them to exchange if for a pour over coffee.  That tastes fine. 

But one day I will come in while they are busy and ask for a pour over and they will resent it.  My relationship with Starbucks is about to take a deep plunge. 

I read, that back in the 1940s, all coffee sold in America was high quality Arabica.  But at some point the price of coffee had gone up and the big roasters mixed in 10% cheaper robusta and no one notice.

So a few years later, they repeated that ploy and again, no one noticed.

At some point some of the coffee was pure robusta, and some were 50% or more robusta.  Still no one noticed.

But a funny thing happened.  Americans started drinking far less coffee.  The explanation: “I don’t know.  I just don’t enjoy as much as I used to.”

I predict that Starbucks will lead the charge to that new/old place where “I just don’t enjoy it as much as I used to.”

I read recently that 75% of Starbucks’ sales are cold drinks.  So, at some point selling hot coffee will be a nuisance for them.  Too much equipment, too much space, too much cleaning up. 

So right now, coffee is a drain on their time.  At some point they won’t be able to justify selling hot coffee. 

On the other side of the coin, McDonalds has upgraded their coffee, and it is quite good.  Better than the Keurig version that Starbucks sells.  And cheaper too.  So if push comes to shove, I will go to McDonalds (or Barnes & Noble).

 

[4nthony]

One option is to order an Americano. They'll pull an espresso shot then add hot water. While I prefer to brew my coffee at home, I'll order an Americano if I'm out. At least I know it's fresher than the black coffee sitting in a pot, an urn, or brewed from a pod.

 

[Vtshopdog]

Packard - all things equal (assumes same beans) a bitter flavor at back of your tongue would generally indicate an over extraction.  This results from too much water, not enough coffee, water contacting the ground coffee too long or some combination of the three.  Temperature and grind coarseness can alter taste as well.

You are free to draw your own conclusions, but likely a way to deliver more cups while using fewer beans and literally corporate bean counting.

 

[rmhinden]

I usually just get espresso at Starbucks (and Peet's that I prefer).

While waiting for the drink,  I watch what most other people buy at Starbucks and Peet's.  Most of what they sell is really just sugar.  Coffee alone is a very small part of their business.

Bob

 

[squall_line]

It's not technically a Keurig (which I'm sure you knew), it's a Clover Vertica.

It's rolling out to all of the stores to speed up service and lower waste; most stores dumped multiple urns per day because they were supposed to be refreshed every 30 minutes.

It's essentially an automated french press.

Since it's new to your location, and you seem to be on good terms with the staff, I would mention it to them; they may have some "dialing in" to do to get it working the way customers want it to work.

 

[Packard]

They will make me a pour over when I come in.  So for the time being, I am OK.

With 75% of their sales as cold drinks, the waste, time and space used for hot coffee may even be a losing proposition for Starbucks. 

In addition to tasting off to me, it looks different.  Muddy. 

Going off topic for a bit, I learned recently why I was so warmly embraced by the staff.  One of the baristas let the cat out of the bag.

Apparently, almost everyone says “Good morning.” When they come in. 

But I, entirely out of habit, always say, “So long guys.” On the way out.  Apparently, I am unique in that regard. 

Thinking about it, when you visit friends, you hug or shake hands when arriving.  But you never leave without your goodbyes. 

So, if you want to be treated special at your favorite diner, coffee shop or bar, always say your goodbyes on the way out,

 

[woodbutcherbower]

They replaced them with industrial-strength one-cup-at-a-time instant coffee machines.

That's all we've ever had over here in the UK. Same goes for Costa = SB's biggest competitor. Every cup starts with grounds and a barista. I've never seen an urn.

 

[Koamolly]

Info about Clover and Starbucks…
https://dailycoffeenews.com/2022/03...-nationwide-launch-of-clover-vertica-brewer/#:~:text=Invented%20by%20Zander%20Nosler%2C%20the,vanguard%20of%20automated%20coffee%20brewing.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Here in Melb Aust we take our coffee very seriously, we did have some Starbucks open up years back but I think most have closed down over time except for possibly a couple that might still be around. I know the one we had near work was amazingly expensive but not very great coffee so it came as no surprise when it disappeared, is Starbucks in the States expensive there?

Regarding the price of beans, when my son was a competitive barista, some of the speciality beans procured for the comps ran into many thousands per kilo.

 

[semenza]

One option is to order an Americano. They'll pull an espresso shot then add hot water. While I prefer to brew my coffee at home, I'll order an Americano if I'm out. At least I know it's fresher than the black coffee sitting in a pot, an urn, or brewed from a pod.

This reminds me of Paulie on Sopranos in a Starbucks. I'm sure you can find the scene on YT.

Seth

 

[MikeGE]

Starbucks would be the last place I would go for a cup of regular brewed coffee in Germany and Italy.  Any bakery, cafe, or gas station has commercial coffee machines that grind the beans on demand for a delicious fresh brewed coffee.

 

[Packard]

Well, I’m in Starbucks now and they brewed me a cup of pour over.  Management has told the staff that the new machines were simply automated pour over machines.  Is that true?  I really don’t believe that, judging from the taste and appearance of the coffee. 

As an aside, I made several pour over stands a number of years ago as gifts, using through dovetails for joinery.  They were seriously overbuilt. 

The oil based poly stood up well except inside the hole where the funnel fit.  That got a milky look to it over time

The water based poly did not fare as well. 

If I were making one today, I would fit the base with a stone tile which would be removable and easily washed. 

Since I retired, I’ve only used it a handful of times.  It was used daily for about 10 years.

I am planning on a coffee station section when I get around to making the new pantry cabinets.  When I do, I will make a new pour over drip stand.

 

[serge0n]

Starbucks would be the last place I would go for a cup of regular brewed coffee in Germany and Italy.  Any bakery, cafe, or gas station has commercial coffee machines that grind the beans on demand for a delicious fresh brewed coffee.

Coffee is terrible in the USA with Starbucks being the only decent option in many places. When we went on a family road trip from Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL, finding a Starbucks was a blessing. Most places served horribly tasting mud marked as "coffee".
Basically there are no or very few good coffee options in the middle of the United State, all the way from Wisconsin down to Florida/Louisiana. I don't think the East Coast is any different.
Seattle area is the only exception I know of, a lot of really good coffee shops there equipped with commercial espresso machines.

 

[Koamolly]

Aeropress is a good option when traveling if you can heat water. 

 

[Packard]

Starbucks, pretty much single-handedly resurrected the quality coffee market.  They basically dragged the rest of the industry up the quality ladder.

I recently had a cup of coffee at McDonalds.  Pretty good.  At one time it was pretty bad.

My dad used to drink instant coffee at home.  I think we are pretty far from that abyss nowadays.

So, I will give Starbucks their due.  Peet’s probably would never have been, were it not for Starbucks first breaking ground. (Oops.  Unintended pun.)

But I was speaking to the store manager at the local Starbucks, and while cold drinks represent 75% of their beverage sales, hot coffee represents less that 10% of their entire billing.  There may come a time when they decide it is not profitable to sell hot coffee.  Think not?  They used to be called “Starbucks Coffee”, they are now called “Starbucks”.

They have already dropped “Coffee” from their name.

My first cup of coffee (at a diner) cost $0.05.  A month later it was $0.10.  And for much of my early adult life it was $0.25.

They had a much bigger job pushing the price of hot coffee from that in-the-cellar pricing, to the $3.00 or so pricing that they get now. 

Have no doubt that Starbucks’ management feels that they are entitled to the same amount of money for hot coffee as they get for frappe-what’s-it beverages.  Cold brew was their first attempt at those elusive dollars.    They, no doubt will continue on their quest for the $6.00 cup of coffee.

 

[Sparktrician]

Starbucks, pretty much single-handedly resurrected the quality coffee market.  They basically dragged the rest of the industry up the quality ladder.

I recently had a cup of coffee at McDonalds.  Pretty good.  At one time it was pretty bad.

Starbucks coffee has always tasted burned to me (YUK!).  That said, you've not ever had as bad a cup of coffee as we used to get aboard ships in the Navy.  That alone impelled me to become a tea drinker.  Finding a really flavorful Earl Grey variant seems to be getting more and more challenging these days.  [sad] 

 

[semenza]

Starbucks coffee has always tasted burned to me (YUK!).  That said, you've not ever had as bad a cup of coffee as we used to get aboard ships in the Navy.  That alone impelled me to become a tea drinker.  Finding a really flavorful Earl Grey variant seems to be getting more and more challenging these days.  [sad]

What he said ^^^

Seth

 

[Packard]

They solved the burnt issue for me with their “blond” roast, but I agree their standard blends (Pike Place, Verona, Veranda, etc.) all taste burnt.

I think their blond roast is their most lightly roasted blend.

 

[serge0n]

But I was speaking to the store manager at the local Starbucks, and while cold drinks represent 75% of their beverage sales, hot coffee represents less that 10% of their entire billing.  There may come a time when they decide it is not profitable to sell hot coffee.  Think not?  They used to be called “Starbucks Coffee”, they are now called “Starbucks”.

I bet most of those cold drinks that represent 75% of sales are iced coffee drinks. Which start out as hot coffee anyway. I'm not too worried about Starbucks removing hot coffee from their menu.

And yes, it does taste a little burnt. Which is fine by me, sometimes I like well roasted coffee. And with complete absence of alternatives in the Midwest, there is not much I can do anyway if I want a decent coffee while out and about. Panera is my second choice. McDonalds is my third, their espresso is not terrible and their coffee is decent. A far cry from Dunkin and the likes.

 

[serge0n]

That said, you've not ever had as bad a cup of coffee as we used to get aboard ships in the Navy. 

A buddy of mine is a marine who told me how during deployments to Iraq they used to call coffee "diesel fuel", it was that bad. One of the benefits he said, was that now he can appreciate any cup of coffee brewed in any US diner and not complain.