AmazonV coffee taste tracking

2013-07-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

New valencia orange
meh

peach Black tea lemonade
peach black tea
peach green tea
I like the green tea peach the best, then black tea peach, then the lemonades

new orange spice iced tea - ick

new starbucks ready to drink in the grocery store, didn't get

2012 holiday cups

2012-11-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

no sayings this year

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-02-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

A Stylish Blogger Award - awarded to me by my friend Lauren (from way back when we were in nerd summer camp). She runs the An Unguided Missile blog where she talks about her life, her battle with chronic pain, random things about life, science, technology, and medicine.

I have been so busy I didn't notice until I finally was catching up on the Internet/blogs/etc today.

In case you'd like to read her post about winning it's here.

Now the important part - there are some rules involved in accepting the award.
1) Thank and link back to the person who has awarded you
2) Award 15 other bloggers
3) Contact the bloggers and tell them about the award

1)
THANK YOU you An Unguided Missile you bumped the traffic on my itty bitty coffee blog a lot!

2)
I'll work on that shortly, oh my oh my!

Starbucks Reserve™ Aged Sulawesi Kalosi

2010-11-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Starbucks Reserve™ Aged Sulawesi Kalosi
Company: Starbucks Reserve™
Name: Aged Sulawesi Kalosi
Description: Aged to perfection.

Just as aging improves wine and cheese, it heightened the already wonderful flavors of this coffee to unique and amazing.

We typically age Sumatran beans. But in 2005 we placed unroasted Sulawesi in a subtropical climate ideal for aging, then meticulously rotated and monitored the beans over the next five years until they reached their peak of flavor. A rich and complex coffee with lingering layers of deep woodsy herbs and warm baking spices, the result is truly rewarding.Only for a limited time.
Purchase: Here
Grind: French Press
Preparation: http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot (20 ounce press pot - 3 minutes)
Amount: 2 Tablespoons
Water: boiling
Body: Full
Bean Smell: sweet, spicy
Coffee Smell: spice, floral
Taste: smooth, spice, earthy
After-taste: acidic
Notes: I don't like the acidity in coffee, so this isn't a winner. On the other hand the floral notes are lovely.
Rating: 2/3

The Press

Starbucks - the gallery at market east, Philadelphia, PA #10915

2010-11-30T20:06:00.000-08:00

Starbucks - the gallery at market east, Philadelphia, PA #10915

Decorated for the holidays 2010!

2010 Starbucks Holiday Cups

2010-11-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

Another Holiday Grande Holiday 2010 Starbucks cup I got
"I talked to a stranger once over coffee
we're not strangers any longer."

(to see others click here)

1912 Pike Place, Seattle, WA #00301

2010-11-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

1912 Pike Place, Seattle, WA #00301

10/1/10 14:31

I hopped in to quick take photographs and purchase a Seattle mug. The place was PACKED wall to wall with people.

I had a nice chat with the bariasta on the register about 15th ave coffee and tea and Roy street. She had never been to either and was interested about them.

Everyone was calm under pressure, and there was someone on the floor answering questions and directing traffic.

I made sure to say hello to the bearista NOB left there.

I tried to come back at a less busy time to grab a drink but never did.

Great reference on the location at The First Starbucks – 1912 Pike Place @ Starbucks Melody

Also featured as Top 10 “Coffee Vacation in Seattle” ideas! @ Starbucks Melody

Starbucks 1st Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle, WA

2010-11-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

Starbucks 1st Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle, WA

The 1912 Starbucks was so busy and crowded I found myself here, it was nice, quiet relaxing, and I found myself here a few times during my visit to Seattle. During all my visits I stayed for a while.

During my first visit I enjoyed an anniversairy blend clover, pretty bold for me but nice for sipping while i read the paper.

The baristas were very helpful and patient while everyone in line figured out what they wanted, I assume they get a lot of tourists.

I didn't see the baristas come out and clean, but everything was neat. The condiment area was a little messy.

One thing I noticed was all the Starbucks in Seattle compost and recycle, that is very uncommon in Pennsylvania.

I purchased a clover, and some mugs.

Starbucks Reserve™ El Salvador Montecarlos Estate Pacamara

2010-11-30T19:19:00.000-08:00

Company: Starbucks Reserve™
Name: El Salvador Montecarlos Estate Pacamara
Description: Starbucks Reserve™ El Salvador Montecarlos Estate Pacamara by Starbucks Coffee Cultivated atop a dormant volcano.

Elevation: This coffee flourishes nearly 6,000 feet above sea level, where abundant rainfall and mineral rich soil bestow the cherries with astonishing flavor.
Flavor: Medium-bodied with a delightfully assertive brightness, herbal overtones and a citrusy finish.

Varietal: From one of El Salvador's premier coffee growers, these single-estate Pacamara beans are noted for their unusually large size. Only for a limited time.

Exotic, rare & exquisite coffees.

Purchase: Here
Grind: French Press
Preparation: http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot (20 ounce press pot - 5 minutes)
Amount: 2 Tablespoons
Water: boiling
Additives: none
Body: light
Smell: spice, floral
Taste: spice, mellow, light acidity, bright, crisp, sweet
After-taste: acid, burnt
Notes: I liked it until the finish
Rating: 2/3

Starbucks - the gallery at market east, Philadelphia, PA

2010-11-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

901 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 #10915

My daily Starbucks, weekdays

Due to being a kiosk, and lack of space, music and retail items are not available, and bean selection is limited.

Sign outside the mall (the gallery at market east)

Coming down the escalator

The kiosk, it's a licensed store not a franchise

They're always sampling, and make my day

2010 Starbucks Holiday Cups

2010-11-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

2010 Starbucks Holiday Cups

Tall

my sister and i would just stare up at the sky
trying to see where the snowflakes were born

Grande

When
I give gifts
I always get more in return.
Funny isn't it

Venti

Our friends think of us
as an odd couple, but we only think it's odd
when we're apart.

Starbucks - Philadelphia Premium Outlets

2010-10-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia Premium Outlets
18 Lightcap Road
1039
Pottstown, PA 19464 US

My sister and I went to the outlet to return a pair of shoes that was two lefts, or two rights, either way we wanted a whole set. While there we got a chai tea and iced tea lemonade. The store was packed, but moving at a good clip. everything was pretty clean and well stocked, but the baristas were to the point, not a third place welcoming, but well done drinks with efficiency. There was outdoor seating.

2010-10-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

A pretty and slightly futuristic Starbucks at a Maryland Rest Stop.

Starbucks is actually in the glass area not the red brick building to the right, despite the outdoor seating with green umbrellas.

Starbucks Glen Burnie Center

2010-10-06T16:24:00.001-07:00

Glen Burnie #07330

This Starbucks is our friend Tommy's nearest Starbucks here he is known by name and drink. when staying over his house we stopped here on our way out, it's literally next to his apartment complex.

Since we've visited him a few times, we've had chai tea lattes here a few times. The store is clean, the condiment bar is always tidy and stocked, the partners are always happy and upbeat and ask you how your morning is going. They call the drinks and thank you when you pick them up. A very positive vibe here. I also like the flowers on the tables. There is outdoor seating.

Glen Burnie Center
4A Mountain Road
Glen Burnie, MD 21061 US

2010-10-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

I took this picture of a Starbucks in NYC

I am not sure where it was, or what building this was but it was such a neat looking building I had to get a picture!

Starbucks HQ

2010-10-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Children's play area with ornate gate

Plaza signage

Siren on the roof on top of the clock!

Coffee banners along the front of the building

Starbucks HQ
SODO Lobby
2401 Utah Ave South
First Floor Lobby
Seattle, WA 98134 US

The baristas were on the ball, fast, pleasant, happy, I'm not too surprised. One barista greeted me and asked my drink then marked the cup and handed it to a bar barista while someone rang on the register. They knew many of the customers names and drinks. Most customers were coming from the locked down elevator in the lobby right near the end of the "store" area.

There was a deck and plenty of other outdoor seating that I failed to get pictures of.

I got a tall soy chai latte.

Columbia Center Seattle Washington

2010-10-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

At the suggestion of Starbucks melody I decided to visit the Columbia Center observation deck on the 73rd floor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Center

For $5 it was an amazing view!

Columbia Tower 40th Floor - 701 5th Avenue 4020 Seattle, WA 98104

I got a tall soy chai latte here on my way down from the observatory deck. The baristas were genuinely pleasant and happy and asked me how my day was. It was a short but lovely visit with a great view!

Starbucks Columbia Center - 701 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104

I didn't go in as I had just gotten a drink on the 40th floor, But this is Starbucks Melody's Starbucks! http://www.starbucksmelody.com/ It's attached to a food court.

Starbucks Canton-Cobbs Corner Store Review

2010-07-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

While I was on vacation in Massachusetts I stopped at the Starbucks Canton-Cobbs Corner, 95 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021 US

The outside of the store was very nice.

While waiting in line the barista on register chatted with a few regulars in front of me, which made me feel at home. When he rang me out he was cheerful and happy. I got my drink rather swiftly and then was out the door as we were going shopping.

I ordered my usual grande no water soy chai latte. The drink was done perfectly.

The store was clean, and had a large assortment of chairs and tables and looked very comfortable. I loved all the large windows and natural lighting.

There was a prominent and nicely done Iced VIA display in the line area. There was a large island display of merchandise, a rack of beans, the usual pastry and cold case combo before the register, and some baskets of snacks. The cold case was a bit messy and sparse. I am not sure why the baskets of snacks were near the delivery area as it would be hard to select them after you've paid.

Sorry I didn't get pictures of the seating area, my drink, or review the bathrooms!

2010-07-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Upcoming visit to Seattle

I'm visiting Seattle in late September into October for the Northwest tea festival and STI training

While there I am looking at visiting (will have approx 5 dinners, 5 breakfast and 5 lunch)

Pike Place Market
85 Pike St, Seattle, Washington 98101
Matt's In the Market
Jack's Fish Spot

Tilth

Harvest Vine & Lark

burger and shake at Dicks

makeda coffee

Starbucks:

Starbucks 1912 Pike Place

15th Ave Coffee and tea
http://twitter.com/15thAveCoffee
http://www.streetlevelcoffee.com/
328 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

Roy street coffee
http://twitter.com/roystcoffee
(address)

Olive way
(need address) is this it? E. Olive Way
1600 E Olive Wy
Seattle, WA 98102
206-568-5185
http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2010/06/25/coming-soon-olive-way-seattle-starbucks-store-remodel.aspx

Starbucks HQ kiosk
328 15th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112 ?

update: from @SeattleMaven http://www.visitseattle.org/visitors/twitter.asp
Don't overlook Etta's & Lola's for breakfast ... Cafe Campagne, too! #SeattleDining

Any other recommendations?

Starbucks Jamaica Blue Mountain small batch clover brew

2010-07-05T18:21:00.001-07:00

Friday July 2, 2010

I arrived in NYC to spend the day before having a nice long weekend away from home.

First stop, after dropping my things off in MilitiaJim’s office, was the NYC Clover Starbucks (72 Spring Street). I believe this is also a LEED certified store.

I was able to find the store this time without getting lost! If you know me you’ll know that it was pure luck and not skill.

This store had a large selection of prepared foods and bakery items as well as whole bean selection. There were large shelves of beans, a kiosk of merchandise, a three layer cold case and the normal bakery case.

The store was very busy, and stayed busy the entire time I was there. There was a barista on a headset taking the orders of those getting into line before you reach the pastry and food area. I found this frustrating as I was not sure what the offerings were when ordering. I then got to the register (after a barista yelled NEXT in a not so romantic or theatrical way) and re-told the other barista my order and paid. No one was smiling or pleasant they just wanted to get me through the queue. The store was trying to be very efficient but ended up being non-welcoming and impersonal.

I wonder how many times the store gets ripped off on what a person orders versus what they pay for.

I ordered the Jamaica Blue Mountain done via clover and a ‘perfect oatmeal’. Most people seemed to be ordering iced coffees and taking them to-go.

I was looking for the Starbucks Organic Shade Grown Mexico (inspired by this Starbucks Melody Blog post: Guest Post: Starbucks Organic Shade Grown Mexico review http://www.starbucksmelody.com/2010/06/28/guest-post-starbucks-organic-shade-grown-mexico-review/ )

Melody actually did a Jamaica Mountain Blue blog post here: http://www.starbucksmelody.com/2010/07/02/starbucks-jamaica-mountain-blue-coffee-rarest/

There is a MSI (My Starbucks Idea) post as well: http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2010/06/28/from-the-blue-mountains-of-jamaica-to-clover.aspx

I saw the JMB post after my visit., it was nice to have a real Starbucks and coffee enthusiasts take on the coffee.

The efficiency made the line move quickly but people were clumped around the bar delivery area, so I am not sure how well this system was working out. Are people more or less patient after they have ordered and paid?

I picked up my clover at the bar, it was done by the time I got there so I didn't get to see it made. I was wondering where my perfect oatmeal would come from, in the end I had to circle back to the middle of the line before the registers where the food was and the barista was taking orders and handing out food. I had to ask for my oatmeal.
This seems like a bad idea to have to have customers cut back into the line to get the food they already paid for. It was not just me either, there were other customers looking confused and wondering where their food item was.

The coffee smelled roasty, dark, and spicy. The coffee tasted bitter, acidic, citrus, earthy and spicy.

I always end up loving the smell of coffee more than the taste.

Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee

2010-06-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the Starbucks Site on VIA instant coffee.

In the "Ideas in Action" area of My Starbucks Idea posted an entry "Be the First to Try Starbucks Newest Iced Coffee!"

"I’m excited to introduce you to our newest product in the Starbucks VIA family – Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee! Starting on 6/29, you’ll be able to pick-up a 5-pack of our new Starbucks VIA Iced Coffee in participating U.S. stores.

Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee is a great pick-me-up all year round, but especially as the weather gets warmer. Specially designed for mixing with cold water and lightly sweetened with natural cane sugar, Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee is the perfect summer companion. Just add it to a tall glass of water or water bottle, stir or shake, and you’ll instantly have a delicious and refreshing cup of Starbucks® iced coffee. Each packet makes a 16 fluid ounce beverage so you can stay cool wherever the summer takes you."

I replied and was sent a 5-pack of Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee. It arrived today. I shared it with co-workers. So far one co-worker has tried it. He mixed it in a water bottle. He had no issue with the mixing but found that it needed sugar and creamer. He's not a huge fan, but he is a fan of VIA.

This time I mixed the VIA iced up in my personal cold cup. Again it dissolved very well, and I found it sweet enough. Original via doesn't blend well with cold water, and only makes 8 ounces instead of 16. I did end up adding a packet of powdered creamer to add a little creaminess to the drink. It was smooth, not at all bitter, and over all a nice afternoon treat on this hot summer day.

Thanks Starbucks for providing me with this coffee for the purpose of promoting it!

Here is another great blog post by CoffeeVanilla about the new iced via.

See my prior, original, post about Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Iced

That prior post was inspired by Starbucks Melody's post Iced Via Ready Brew is the hot Starbucks news

Pictures

The package I received the the mail.

letter, iced via:

The cardboard container holding the packets

front:

side:

back:

back, open flap:

other side:

the bottom:

The packet itself.

front of the packet:

back of the packet:

inside:

Hey it looks like I went to Starbucks!

I only wish this powdered creamer mixed in as well as the via in cold water.

The letter:

Starbucks Snacks - lucy's cookies

2010-06-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

This blog post was inspired by Starbucks Melody's blog post Once again exploring the snack aisle: Lucy’s Cinnamon Thin cookies (@Lucys_Tweets)

Dr. Lucy’s gluten-free cookies website

@Lucys_Tweets on twitter

May 28th Breakfast;

grande soy no water chai latte (without my personal cup, sadness)

and lucy's Sugar Cookies

I finally found some in a Starbucks! I had been looking since Melody's post.

There were very sugary and oat-ish, like sweet granola bars. They were also very crunchy and best for dunking.

Purchased to eat later:

Chocolate Chip - same flavor profile as the sugar cookies, but with chocolate

Cinnamon Thins - have not tried yet

Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Iced

2010-06-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the Starbucks Site on VIA

The Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Iced Sweetened is not yet listed

I got a sample today, and was really excited to try it since I read Starbucks Melody's blog post on the topic: Iced Via Ready Brew is the hot Starbucks news

When I poured it out it had a LOT of sugar granules, I was afraid they wouldn't dissolve in the cold water fountain water, but they did.

If I didn't know better I would say someone made coffee in a automatic brewer and added some sugar and threw it in the fridge. It's not great, but it is very nice and smooth and refreshing. It's sweet, noticeably so, but not overwhelming.

Please note: not a huge plain coffee fan, and I don't frequently get iced coffee at Starbucks.

Starbucks Ethiopia Sun-Dried Yirgacheffe

2010-05-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Company: Starbucks
Name: Ethiopia Sun-Dried Yirgacheffe
Origin: Africa / Arabia
Description: Ripe dark berries and baking chocolate highlighted by delicate floral notes, with lingering intensity.

At the southern end of the Ethiopian high plateau in Africa’s Great Rift Valley lies Yirgacheffe (year-ga-chef-fee), home to the smallholder coffee producers who grow these beans. After harvest the coffee cherries are spread across huge outdoor tables to dry in the sun. The dried sugars in the coffee pulp give the beans intriguing and intense nuances of flavor – and a taste experience completely different from coffee produced using the washed method. The sun-dried or natural process is becoming more popular in the region because of the varied and unique flavors that can be coaxed from the beans.

Given the rarity of these coffees, they are not available in most Starbucks stores. These small batch coffees are available online for a limited time only, but be sure to visit often and see what’s new on the menu.
Food Pairings: Enjoy it with dried fruit, berries, nuts, spices and chocolate
Purchase: Here
Grind: French Press
Preparation: http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot (20 ounce press pot - 5 minutes)
Amount: 2 Tablespoons
Water: 20 ounces boiling filtered water

Body: full
Smell: spice, citrus, earthy
Taste: smooth, slightly acidic, bold
After-taste: citric, sweet
Notes: I got this from putting my comments on MSI - My Starbucks Idea for each of the 8 weeks of bold MSI tasting club. It is delicious, too bad this wasn't at the NYC Starbucks with the Clover when I visited.
Rating: 3/3

Starbucks Clover® Brewed Coffee

2010-05-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

Starbucks Clover® Brewed Coffee information

On Twitter I saw Jason Simpson @JS_Starbucks Tweet about a Clover brewer in NYC (not too far from me) and I asked where it was.

11:49 AM Mar 29th via Tweetie in reply to amazonv
"@amazonv the first @Starbucks Clover store in NYC will open on 4/13. Spring St. In SoHo."

I had been jealous of Starbucks Melody and her access to the Clover brewer for a while so I decided the next time I was in NYC I would go try some Clover brewed coffee.

5/1/2010 I was in NYC, 6:29PM I had my chance!

I sent a frantic tweet earlier that day asking for an address, one of my friends, Gil, came though with "78 Spring Street"

I set about getting to the store via the subway, I promptly got myself lost, even using Google Maps on my Blackberry.

After I ran out of possible wrong turns I went into the store.

I was greeted by a partner wearing a headset who took my order before I even reached the menu boards. Being I had not seen them yet I ordered two tall Clover Komodo Dragon. I was promptly looked at with confusion and asked to repeat my order, then finally told I had to pick from a separate menu.

After looking at my choices MilitiaJim choose 100% Kona and I choose Sumatra.

It was neat to watch the beans be weighed, ground, and pressed while I watched.

The coffee had a layer of oil when it was handed over, which I believe is supposed to be part of the point and good for the flavor.

100% Kona
Intensity: Medium
Origin: Asia/Pacific
Notes: citrus, nutty

my notes: light, spicy after taste, almost floral and flowery

Sumatra
Intensity: Extra Bold
Origin: Asia/Pacific
Notes: earthy, herbal

my notes: earthy, smooth, slight acidity

MilitiaJim and I switched as I was enjoying the Kona more than the Sumatra.

We both agreed the coffee was smoother (MilitiaJim "less burn-ed/y") from the clover, but as unrefined coffee drinkers we won't be trekking out of our way to hunt the Clover brewer down again in the future,