Customer : Coffee & Espresso Drinks

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

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

3 Holiday Beverages + One More on the Way!

Tara Hinkle — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:28:00 GMT

Hi everyone. My name is Tara, and I’m the product manager on the espresso team leading the Starbucks holiday beverage promotion this year. I’m personally thrilled to announce the return of red cups, holiday sleeves, and our three holiday classic beverages to participating stores in the U.S. on November 3. Better yet, I’m excited to inform you that on November 17, we will launch a new holiday espresso drink that you’re going to love. It’s sweet, creamy, and delicious in all forms (hot, iced, or blended in the form of a Frappuccino® blended beverage). I can’t tell you much more than that right now, but I can assure you that this beverage is going to surprise and delight you this holiday season. In any case, let me get back to the classic treats you already know and love.

Peppermint Mocha: This holiday classic is a favorite for a lot of you. It’s versatile and available hot, iced, and blended. For kids, it’s a great treat as Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Or, for the more indulgent treat, try it with White Chocolate. For the holiday season, we make Peppermint Mocha extra special by topping it with our delicious dark chocolate curls.
Gingerbread Latte: This marks the 10th year of the Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks. We heard your feedback last year and have returned to our classic topping - ground nutmeg. Enjoy this classic and try it without coffee as a Gingerbread Crème.
Eggnog Latte: Believe it or not, Starbucks has been serving Eggnog Latte for 24 years! This is our longest running holiday favorite and we haven’t changed a thing. Enjoy!

I’m looking forward to sharing holiday moments with my friends and family this year. And, there’s no better way to treat them than to share holiday espresso beverages from Starbucks. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I’ll look forward to hearing your feedback on this year’s lineup. What’s your favorite holiday beverage?

Tara

'Tis the season - for Pumpkin Spice!

Karen Cho — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone, My name is Karen, and I am a product manager on the Espresso team. There has been a lot of enthusiasm around Pumpkin Spice beverages in our stores as well as right here on My Starbucks Idea so I wanted to write a quick note to celebrate the success of Pumpkin Spice with you. This is the sixth year we’ve brought back Pumpkin Spice and your enthusiasm for this returning favorite has been incredible! Many of you have posted ideas about wanting a skinny version of the Pumpkin Spice latte and this idea is currently "Under Review". Thank you for making Pumpkin Spice lattes and Frappuccino® blended beverages such a special part of your fall days.

For me, this fall has been all about re-connecting with friends, shopping for cozy sweaters and tall boots, and tackling all the house projects that have languished over the summer … all with a warm, creamy, Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand. As your favorite fall-time activities take hold, we hope you continue enjoying our Pumpkin Spice beverages!

What are some of your favorite Pumpkin Spice occasions?

Karen

This blog was inspired by your idea: Skinny Pumpkin Spice latte

You Can Take It With You!

Stuart Benzal — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Hi, I’m Stuart Benzal of United Airlines and I love coffee everywhere I go. Since there must be others like me out there, I’m thrilled that United has joined with Starbucks to offer Starbucks VIA™ to our customers in addition to the delicious fresh-brewed Starbucks coffee we serve on every flight.

We’re selling Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew Colombia three-packs on North American flights that last more than two hours. In addition, I encourage you to try some of our Choice Menu snack boxes available for purchase onboard – we’re including a single pack of Starbucks VIA™ in some of them for a limited time.

At United, we’re always looking for ways to make your travels more enjoyable, even after you touch down.

Who’d have thought coffee would make such a great “drinkable” souvenir?

#1 New Starbucks VIA Product Idea Coming Soon...Decaf!

Aimee Johnson — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:15:00 GMT

You asked for it and today I’m happy to say it’s coming soon to a Starbucks store near you! Introducing … Starbucks VIA™ Decaf Italian Roast - a rich, bold cup of Starbucks Decaf Italian Roast in an instant! Starting on November 17, you will be able to pick up a 3-pack or 12-pack of Starbucks VIA™Decaf Italian Roast at your local participating Starbucks store (US only).

We use the world’s finest arabica beans to ensure every cup delivers a smooth, full-bodied flavor and aroma.

So now, whenever and wherever you crave the taste of Starbucks® coffee, you can have it – when you can’t make it to a Starbucks to pick up a decaf brewed coffee, when you want a single cup of decaf at home but don’t want to brew a full pot or when you find yourself without a delicious decaf coffee option. There are plenty of other occasions for Starbucks VIA™ Decaf Italian Roast - feel free to share them in the comment stream below.

Thanks for your wonderful ideas around Starbucks VIA™ – keep them coming! My team and I are excited to innovate with you around this new product.

Aimee

This blog was inspired by your idea - Decaf VIA!

PS - In addition to launching your decaf Starbucks VIA™ idea, We are currently working on these other Starbucks VIA™ Ideas from MSI - keep 'em coming!

VIA in MREs (Under Review!)
VIA at REI (Launched!)

The Newest Ideas in Action

sbx_bean — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:54:00 GMT

We're making progress on ideas that you've shared with us on
My Starbucks Idea. Your ideas continue to inspire us. Keep the ideas coming!

Ideas LAUNCHED

Discount Shipping to Military Bases
Starbucks iPhone App
Display Card Balance on Register

Ideas UNDER REVIEW

Return the Cups with the Inspirational Quotes
posted by coffeecup2009

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte
posted by valeriea0001

Sugar-free Holiday!
posted by Kluvsflipflops

Ideas COMING SOON

Stop Wasting so Many Pastries!
posted by camille

Make MORE Reusable Venti Tumblers!
posted by tisjustme

Don't Make me Search my Inbox
posted by flukes