Customer

Turkey, Cranberries, Pumpkin Pie, and Thanksgiving Blend

Anthony C — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:21:00 GMT

Coffee is culinary was the inspiration for this annual tradition. Much like the Chef that creates a dish that is balanced and layered, the quality team at Starbucks took the same approach to Thanksgiving Blend. The blending process started with coffees from 10 different origins. All of those coffees possessed qualities we thought would compliment and inspire a new blend that was worthy of this epic meal. Some had high acidity, some great body and others great complexity. We spent an afternoon putting together about 10 separate blends all with very unique flavors and reasons for being worthy of being the starting point for Thanksgiving Blend. Over the next several weeks we refined and narrowed the selections down to two blends. Now comes the best part. We actually were able to eat a full Thanksgiving dinner well before the actual date to determine which coffee paired better. The choice was obvious.

By blending two very fancy coffees, one from Sumatra featuring medium acid, good body and herbal complexity with the Guatemala Antigua which features high acidity, medium body with lemony acidy and elegant spice and cocoa notes, we created a blend that perfectly compliments all the flavors of the Thanksgiving meal. I would not be telling the truth if I told you we knew we were going to accomplish a blend that fit this perfectly into the meal, even we were surprised. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly knew we would get something great because of our expertise in sourcing and blending but this was really a great surprise and discovery.

I guess that is why I love the job I have. Just when you think you have seen it all something amazing happens and it’s like you are starting all over again. It was a great experience being part of creating the newest Starbucks traditions blend and it is truly rewarding the see it back on the shelves for the second year. Be sure you pick up a pound to take with you to Thanksgiving dinner next week.

Anthony

Back by popular demand—Cold Cups!!

_sbx_sspe — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:23:00 GMT

Hi there, it’s Sarah from the Merchandise team. I am thrilled to announce that, just in time for the holiday season, our most popular merchandise item is back!
That’s right, we’re bringing both the grande (16 fl. oz.) and 20 fl. oz. sizes of the cold cups to you at participating stores and online. BPA-free, with a festive candy cane straw, our reusable holiday cold cups are the perfect gift for the green-minded Starbucks enthusiast. We hope that our customers in even the snowiest of places will still want to enjoy an iced beverage in this sleekly-designed tumbler this winter. As before, the double-wall design will help to keep your hands dry and your beverage chilled.

We’ve decorated our stores and built our holiday merchandise assortment around the theme of wishing. Taking your wishes to heart, we’ve listened. We heard you on MSI, so we’ve taken action to meet your desire for more inventory of the 20 oz. reusable cold cup option. We want anyone who covets a cold cup this season to see their wishes come true.
On behalf of the Merchandise department, cheers and Happy Holidays!

Cold Cups Ship More
posted by angel70

To-go Tumbler Come and Gone!
posted by Charmian

Make More Reusable Venti Tumblers
posted by tisjustme

Iced Starbucks Logo Cup
posted by isprava

Brewing Together Day of Service

Anna C — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:06:00 GMT

Hi everyone-

I’m pleased to return to the Ideas in Action blog to invite YOU to join Starbucks and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” for Brewing Together Day of Service this Saturday, November 21st. Visit www.handsonnetwork.org/brewingtogether to find a volunteer event in your local community.

This service event is the next step in Starbucks Coffee Company’s partnership with “Morning Joe,” announced earlier this year. Both companies are coming together to encourage community service across the country. As part of raising awareness for volunteerism, “Morning Joe” will highlight volunteer efforts and information on-air during the weeks leading up to November 21.

As part of this partnership, we’ve also renamed the Gold Coast Blend® sold where you buy groceries to Gold Coast Blend®: Morning Joe Edition. This bold coffee is a fitting accompaniment to conversation, whether around the kitchen table, or during a break while you're volunteering in your community.

Be sure to visit www.handsonnetwork.org/brewingtogether to find a volunteer opportunity in your neighborhood on November 21st or any day throughout the upcoming holiday season. Thank you for joining Starbucks in our commitment to improving communities through service.

Best regards,
Anna

New Holiday Beverage!

Tara Hinkle — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:15:00 GMT

Hi everyone, it's Tara again, the product manager of holiday espresso. Starting Tuesday, November 17, in Starbucks stores across the United States, will feature what's sure to be a new holiday beverage tradition : the new Caramel Brulée Latte. It’s a combination of creamy, rich caramel sauce (new and different from anything we’ve offered before), fresh Starbucks espresso, and steamed milk. It is topped with whipped cream and shimmery pieces of crunchy caramel topping. Inside the Starbucks laboratories, those of us working on developing this drink have come to know and love the topping so much that we refer to it as “the jewel. ” Check it out and you’ll understand what I’m talking about .

If the weather hasn’t turned cold enough for you to crave a hot drink, try our Iced Caramel Brulée Latte or Caramel Brulée Frappuccino® blended beverage. We worked to develop all forms of the drink at the same time to ensure that there’s something for everyone .

For those of you in Japan, Caramel Brulée Latte is similar to the new holiday drink in your Starbucks: Caramel Éclair Latte. Your topping is a bit different from the U .S. topping, but it’s delicious, too .

Based on the response we’ve had from our Canadian customers who have been enjoying Caramel Brulée Latte for the past two weeks, you’re going to love it in the U.S.

Happy holidays everyone! Let me know what you think of Caramel Brulée Latte .

Tara

Starbucks Love Project!

Lindsey Austin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Hey Lindsey here again! If you don't remember me from previous posts, I work on the marketing team and specifically support our relationship with (RED)™ - a key component of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ and our ongoing commitment to the people and communities that grow our coffee.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce a new and fabulous way for you to support (STARBUCKS) RED. When you spend $15 (before tax and excluding money loaded to Starbucks Cards) at a participating Starbucks store in the U.S. and Canada, we’ll give you a special gift: The Starbucks & (RED)™ Exclusive CD “All You Need Is Love.” This beautiful CD includes exclusive tracks from U2, Dave Matthews Band, John Legend and Playing for Change singing the title track.

But that’s not all. For every CD we distribute, we’ll give $1 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. “All You Need Is Love” CD supplies are limited, so don’t wait to get your copy. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

To learn more about the CD and watch exclusive video content, visit our new website at StarbucksLoveProject.com. You can also create a “Love Drawing” which will result in a 5 cent contribution to the Global Fund (limit 1 million participants). Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more news on the Starbucks Love Project – we have some incredible events and surprises coming your way.

Cheers!
Lindsey

P.S. If you use your (STARBUCKS) RED Card to make your $15 purchase, Starbucks will give another 5 cents U.S. to the Global Fund. And we’ll continue giving 5 cents U.S. every time you use your card to make a purchase through December 31, 2010!! Just a little tip for all you customers looking for more ways to do good this holiday season and into the New Year.

Find a Starbucks Street Team and Get a Starbucks Card!

Chuck Davidson — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:21:00 GMT

Hi all, my name is Chuck and I work on the Starbucks Card team. Earlier this summer we launched the Starbucks Card Mobile application, which lets you manage your Starbucks Card and even pay with your iPhone™ or iTouch™ at certain Starbucks stores in Seattle and the Bay area (click here to visit our store locator).

This week, (today through Monday 11/16) we’re going to have Starbucks teams out on the streets – Find these teams and you’ll get a Starbucks Card! Just show them the Starbucks Card Mobile app on your iPhone™ or iTouch™, and you’ll receive a free $5 Starbucks Card to load directly onto your device (until we run out). Check out the street team schedule below to see if we're going to be near you.

And even better, right now, if you reload your mobile card with $25 or more, using your Visa card, you’ll even earn a $5 bonus.

If you haven’t checked out the application and want to learn more, visit www.starbucks.com/mobile-apps today.

Cheers!

Chuck

Street Team Schedule:

11/12:

Bay Area:
Store 5217-
20520 Stevens Creek Blvd
Near Apple Campus
Near

Seattle:
Store 3394- U Village II
Activity to take place at University of Washington Campus

11/13:

Bay Area:
Store 631-
1687 Hollenbeck Rd
Nearby shopping center & close to Apple Campus

Seattle:
Store 3394- U Village II
Activity to take place at University Village Shopping Center

11/14:

Bay Area:
Store 10312-
Charleston & Independence
Store 5848-
5180 Stevens Creek Blvd

Seattle:
Store 3379-
7th & Stewart
Store 3298
7th & Pike
Activity to take place around Westlake center and Pacific Place

11/15:

Bay Area:
University Ave Palo Alto Apple Store Location

Seattle:
Store 3394-
Activity to take place at University Village Shopping Center

11/16:

Bay Area:
Store 10663-
Shoreline & Pear
Store 5663-
Castro@ High School
Store 618-
1037 El Monte Ave

Seattle:
Store 111- Key Tower
Store 101- Columbia Center
Store 3347- 999 3rd Ave
Store 10302- Columbia Tower

myStarbucks iPhone App Updated Today

KC MacLaren — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:33:00 GMT

Just in time for the holidays, we've updated our iPhone (and iPod touch) App to include Starbucks new seasonal (and delicious) beverages and food. A new feature that I love is that you can now share what you’re drinking (and which store you’re drinking it in) with your friends on Facebook® and Twitter™. We’re already putting together the next App, so you can expect more new features soon. Also, I know you want myStarbucks on other platforms, and that is something I work on every day. Have a great weekend, and keep the mobile ideas coming!