Riddle me this? Starbucks Coffee Bean prices

Why does a half pound (225 g) of Yunnan Coffee cost 85 RMB (12.71 USD) in China? Do we attribute it the Starbucks price bump? Probably not, because you can get twice as much beans for your buck at Starbucks stateside. Around 67 RMB (10 USD) for a full pound (453 g) thats twice as much coffee for a much lower price. And Yunnan Coffee is one of the least expensive worldwide. Just for perspective we offer a half pound of our Yunnan Hope coffee for 29 RMB (4.33 USD) and ours is considered on the "expensive" side because we work with the coffee growers that grow it, paying fair wages and donate part of the sales on top of that to planting more trees. Why is Starbuck's Yunnan coffee 3 times more expensive?

The McDonaldsfication of Starbucks

I rely on Starbucks quite a bit when I travel. My blood runs golden brown with a hint of crema. But honestly over the last few years I have seen Starbucks go from the “it” place to the fast food version of coffee. The machines are completely automated. What used to be an art and a science, Starbucks has made into a push-button automated frenzy. There is no love put in that latte anymore. There is no gentle coercing of air into the milk to form that smooth microfoam.

Now 1 Starbuck's barista does not speak for all of them but just this morning I was barked at for asking something a little particular about my latte desires. I am sorry. I will gladly pay $3 for a latte because I know the work and training that goes into getting it just right. But I will not pay $3 to get barked at. Where did that love go?

And when its slow why not let the customer sit down and bring them their drink. This is an luxury item not a Big Mac at Mcdonalds. If I always have to wait at the counter for my drink then whats the difference then me waiting in line at McDonalds. If your not busy what's the rush? The ladies behind me asked if they could sit down and the barista told them no way. They needed to wait a few minutes. There was no one else in the store.

And would it kill Starbucks to try something a little different with the store design. I have been to a million different Starbucks in 5 countries and they are all exactly the same. I expect that from McDonald’s but why Starbucks? Can’t we have a little uniqueness? And the décor and paintings are becoming more and more like advertising. There are more signs and posters creeping in to promote the newest drink or food and they are crowding out the paintings and soothing atmosphere that was once more common.

But yet I like so many others are addicted to coffee and without a suitable alternative I still go in and order. But I will dream of a day when you can travel and have more access to local coffee shops that can put of a solid brew.

The Coffee Quest

Today I have left for a whirl wind tour of a 100 plus coffee establishments of all kinds that are scattered around this massive province known as Yunnan. My goal is to help alleviate what is known as crapcoffeeitis. I am no lover of Starbucks but when I travel in China it is one of a few places where real coffee is actually served. Multitudes of coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants offer "coffee" but only a few really serve COFFEE. I will be detailing this expedition and hope to offer a online hub for coffee in China for those of us that never want to be a few feet from the nearest cup of joe.

Maybe most have not experienced what I have in the coffee world but I cannot tell you how many times I have been to a coffee establishment like the one pictured to find bad coffee going for ¥38 ($5.56 USD) for a mere 4 oz. Thats nearly over $16 USD for what I consider an average cup of coffee (12 oz.)

All will not see the light but those that do will be detailed here.

(Note to reader: No need to worry I am still traveling with what they call a parachute. I have some fresh roasted Tanzania Peaberry and french press along with me if all else fails)

Is good "instant coffee" no longer an oxymoron?

Starbucks has released their new patented Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew instant coffee. Their claim is that because of their new process and the use of 100% arabica coffee beans instant coffee does not have to be bland and lifeless. Sales of instant coffee nose dived in the 1980's because of a continuing decrease in quality and a changing in coffee drinking habits. I remain a skeptic but perhaps Starbucks can buck that trend.

Howard Schultz, current Starbucks CEO, told the Wall Street Journal that he has secretly being serving the instant coffee to guests in his home. Whether or not guests continue coming to this home despite of this has yet to be seen.

McD's getting fiesty

McD's has recently been taking a lot swings at Starbucks. This sign was put up directly across from Starbucks HQ. Another had the phrase "large is the new grande." Although witty and very clever, I am afraid the same people that aren't satistfied with the quality that goes along with a $1 burger will be the same people that might not fall in love with a latte from McDonalds.

Starbucks wastes 6 million gallons of water a day

This week Starbucks has been criticized about leaving their taps on non-stop at over 10,000 locations and wasting over 6 million gallons of water a day. Apparently, this is accordance with a health regulation to ensure they don't have a bacteria problem. That amount of water is enough to fill an Olympic size swimming pool every 83 minutes or sustain the population in drought-hit Nambia. That's a lot of water.