Starbucks debuted their new “everyday” coffee blend yesterday and the initial reports say that the new roast seems to be a reaction to all the “over-roasting” criticism that is routinely hurled at Starbucks.
Some reporters from the Chicago Tribune stumbled into a few cups of the mythical new brew a day early. Their description of the experience is weird and gross, but enlightening:
We felt like spies ordering it, photographing it, sniffing it, cupping it, gargling it and finally gulping it down. So here’s the scoop: Pike Place delivers a pretty great cup of joe. It’s got a light fruity and nutty aroma, a smooth feel on the tongue but nice body and no wimpy finish. This lighter roast (clearly a response to widespread complaints about Starbucks’s penchant for over-roasting) allows a broader spectrum of flavors and aromatics to emerge, things that can sometimes be burnt away in a darker roast. Starbucks might not like this, but it kind of reminds me of Dunkin’ Donuts’ house coffee.
We suppose that’s good news for you people in California who are always trying to get me to mail you bags of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, though we’re not sure why Chicago Tribune reporters (who presumably have access to Intelligentsia coffee) would be sufficiently excited about some new Starbucks joe that they’d gargle it. I guess everyone pines for the coffee they can’t have, eh?
So what do you think? Does the new Pike Place Roast still “taste burnt?” Or is that sad chapter in our nation’s history finally over?
Starbucks’ new Pike Place Roast drips out early in Gold Coast [Chicago Tribune]
(Photo:Travelin’ Librarian)
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@Michael Belisle: Talking about RBI’s would be analogous to discussing the caloric content of coffee. I fail to see how either would be considered pretentious.
Using airy language to describe some ephemeral aspect of a pitcher’s wind up would absolutlely be pretentious and I WOULD call that out.
Coffee is serious business. No disputing that.
@Michael Belisle: I’m sorry, but if you are describing the taste of water as “round”, you are making shit up. I don’t care what your credentials are.
The new blend didn’t do jack for me (even with milk). I used to like Starbucks, until Intelligentsia moved in to my neighborhood. Now any other coffee tastes like burnt garbage water.
Having been to Canada on vacation (lovely place, nice folks, had a great time), I just don’t get the devotion to Tim Horton’s. The donuts and coffee were OK I guess, ’bout the same as our local Dunkin’ Donuts. The coffee at both chains is certainly a step up from the watery, bitter brew you find at fast food outlets and gas stations, but still not strong enough and with a slightly unpleasant aftertaste. Maybe it’s just a “Canadian Pride” sort of thing
I’ll take the brewed coffee at SBC or Peets over Starbucks, but all three are an improvement on Dunkin’ or Timmy’s. The best is what I make at home with fresh-roasted beans from my local Whole Foods Market
“Fool me once, shame on you, we can’t get fooled again” -George W. Bush
I won’t spend my money there again after a couple of horrific cups over the past several years.
I’ll stick to my homebrew of Dunkin Donuts and A couple scoops of whatever dark roast is on sale.
…And no tip cup
The new coffee is lousy. I much prefer the over-roasted and burnt taste if that it what you call it. No reason to go to Starbucks anymore if they are going to serve this watered-down swill on a long-term basis.