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Interesting read regarding Starbucks in Australia

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  • TOK
    replied
    Originally posted by mds View Post
    This doesn't mean that Canberra doesn't have a coffee culture
    Yes, the ACT has a strong coffee culture.

    For the rest of it and as has already been said....depends on where you are. While not so in Oz (they admitted they got it wrong), in many places o/s s/bucks is a godsend...

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  • EspressoAdventurer
    replied
    Oh and yes they had 2 single origin roasts to chose from separate to the usual S/B beans.
    And no I'm not pumping S/B tyres for them - it was just one of those - OK I'll give it a try I got nothing to loose.
    And it worked out - a bit like Starsky n Hutch ' I love it when a plan comes together ' moment

    Leave a comment:


  • EspressoAdventurer
    replied
    NOT ALL Starbucks are Created the Same !

    I'd posted prev that in general the fresh coffee in London is Horrendous - Burnt n Bitter
    No real reason why - I tried asking many times and the common answer was that's what the locals WANT ??
    I don't get it. But then I did spot a TV Ad for a new Nescafe 'instant Espresso' or something similar!!

    But there's more - in 8 days I. London (2a day) I had 3 good coffees - 1 of those was equal or better to any I've ever had (more about that one another day). So London can do decent coffee and there is the slightest hint of an underground swell of a revolution starting.

    However the third best coffee I had in London was ( drumroll please) from a STARBUCKS.
    Yes ! Michael a Starbucks....you'd better believe it AND I had never had or never wanted a Starbucks coffee in my life!
    (And no I don't own a Jeep)
    Where why how ??
    It was mid morning in Leicester Sq, day 3 of London - and I was determined to TRY to find a decent coffee.
    Geez its tuff when your lady couldn't really care whether she has nescafe or Pablo !!
    ( But she does puurr often and big time when my at home coffee barista skills shine - yeah I know it does my head in - Occasionally!

    But back to the search - so I head off the main tourist traps of Leicester Sq and head a few lanes back into the real bohemian of inner London.
    So I see an interesting cafe and make a beeline. but wait there's a guy sitting outside,looks like he's taking a break,
    must belong to the cafe - so I think.
    No - he tells me Not to get coffee there he's a local water treatment specialist and he's recovering the water filter system!
    Been down for three days. But as I look in its reasonably busy with locals - a good sign!! Anyway after two further questions to
    Clarify - I get the feeling this guy is serious. So I look left / right.Nothing that I can See. So....
    ' So mate were else round here would you have a coffee?? Yes he replies - STARBUCKS. Just a 100 yards up the lane.
    'Mate I'm an Aussie I don't drink coffee at the US Embassy !! Where else??? ' No... go there they're good'

    Anyway cut to the chase - This Starbucks in Leicester Sq, IS ONE of 3 in the world ( they're story) that is licensed to do other
    Coffees. So she the barista says -How do you like it?
    So as this is happening I'm looking around and to the right is the counter with the Starbucks ' equipment'think caramel / pumpkin etc
    and to the left is Another nice shiny San Marino 3 group/ Rober x 2. Things are looking up !
    A Starbucks with two machines.
    So who am I to say no to the chance for a decent coffee after 5 days cold turkey.
    This lady barista knew her stuff too - yes I can do you a ' flat white'. Yes she new what weight the single /dbke baskets carried.
    Yes she was happy to take the milk up to around/over 60deg for me - yes I know I'm a heathen!
    ( Please see other recent post by Yelta - ' Surly Barista' )
    And YES this coffee had body,flavour and was inherently sweet -
    AND Had No Caramel or Pumpkin Seeds or Pumpernickel Pastrami Cheese N Pickle flavours bla bla bla etc in it !!

    So there the world is what it is - and there are new surprises out there to be found.

    The Big Q is - if this is correct , Where are the other 2' free hand ' Starbucks sites in the world??

    Oh and the best coffee (I had) in London - phew I'm only a humble mechanic I'll have to one finger type it another day !
    Cheers
    EA

    Leave a comment:


  • Javaphile
    replied
    Originally posted by eskimo View Post
    I loved coming across a Starbucks when I was travelling.... For the free WiFi
    ...and the call from the other side of the planet.


    Java "What happened where?!?" phile

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  • eskimo
    replied
    I loved coming across a Starbucks when I was travelling.... For the free WiFi

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  • richard_m_h
    replied
    Starbucks was one of the best things to happen in China/Taiwan/Hong Kong as one could then get an espresso.
    It also seemed to encourage a bit of a coffee culture (in Taiwan anyway) so decent beans are locally available.
    But I do remember being disappointed at being dragged off to the new Starbucks for lunch when I really wanted dumplings.

    Leave a comment:


  • mds
    replied
    Originally posted by trickydicky2 View Post
    I think the success of formulaic chains like Gloria jeans, Coffee club, wild bean, mccafe, etc does slightly undermine the argument that Australian coffee culture is too sophisticated for Starbucks, but this established competition does help explain why they failed. That and lousy execution. Their Mt druitt cafe, for example, is an abomination, whereas the UK stores I've been to are reasonably nice places to eat a cake, and drink a gallon of burnt weak coffee if you can bear it. They even do a flat white there these days. You've got to be perversely impressed that the Americans have stolen antipodean cafe culture and sold it to the Brits
    These chains are great when you need a hit in some countries.

    Leave a comment:


  • trickydicky2
    replied
    I think the success of formulaic chains like Gloria jeans, Coffee club, wild bean, mccafe, etc does slightly undermine the argument that Australian coffee culture is too sophisticated for Starbucks, but this established competition does help explain why they failed. That and lousy execution. Their Mt druitt cafe, for example, is an abomination, whereas the UK stores I've been to are reasonably nice places to eat a cake, and drink a gallon of burnt weak coffee if you can bear it. They even do a flat white there these days. You've got to be perversely impressed that the Americans have stolen antipodean cafe culture and sold it to the Brits

    Leave a comment:


  • mds
    replied
    Originally posted by noonar View Post
    Good read thanks CC. I clicked on and read the link to the "coffee in Canberra" story, then came back here to see if there are any ACT reviews of coffee places and there aint no ACT sub section...? sounds like the linked story may be true?
    This doesn't mean that Canberra doesn't have a coffee culture

    Leave a comment:


  • noonar
    replied
    Good read thanks CC. I clicked on and read the link to the "coffee in Canberra" story, then came back here to see if there are any ACT reviews of coffee places and there aint no ACT sub section...? sounds like the linked story may be true?

    Leave a comment:


  • coffeechris
    started a topic Interesting read regarding Starbucks in Australia

    Interesting read regarding Starbucks in Australia

    Some might find this interesting and have an opinion on it

    Dont think its been posted yet, sorry if it has..

    This Is Why Australians Hate Starbucks | MUNCHIES
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