The Power of Starbucks

[crew]

I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale airport waiting for my flight home.
I'm seated across from a Starbucks and, as I'm a little bored, I'm watching the line there. There are easily 50 people in line now! Not 100' away is a small bagel shop that also has coffee. They have 6 people in line.
Btw, the Starbucks line is very slow. It looks like a 15-20 minute wait. What does Starbucks put in their coffee that make people crave it so badly?
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm drinking a cup of their coffee now and loving it. I'm with my partner and she waited in the Starbucks line while I got us bagels in the other line. (As I said, I'm a little bored and felt the need to share this useless information)

[mjclark32]

In the past couple of weeks I've been at a hotel in Charlotte and an airport in Miami, both Starbucks there have had massive lines. I told myself I need to buy stock. Thanks for reminder

[Zuger]

We are creature of habits and like things we are familiar with. This is the same reason why crowds and lines are always longer at McDonalds if you are ever inside the food court in a shopping mall.

[SearChart]

I love starbucks but would never step into a waiting line like that.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Zuger

We are creature of habits and like things we are familiar with. This is the same reason why crowds and lines are always longer at McDonalds if you are ever inside the food court in a shopping mall.

I agree, and as my partner said, when you go to Starbucks you know what you're going to get. Someplace else is a crapshoot.

[Zuger]

Originally Posted by crew

I agree, and as my partner said, when you go to Starbucks you know what you're going to get. Someplace else is a crapshoot.

I personally dislike the idea of trying something new and then be disappointed. Restaurants in particular. If I am taking a client I want to be able to recommend something on the menu I have tried and enjoyed. It helps with the impression if I can take the guess work out of the equation.

[69mach351]

To be perfectly honest, I can never say that I have had anything great, or even something that I considered really good at Starbucks. I just don't get it. My wife and I are "foodies" and don't mind paying a premium for food/drink that is of exceptional quality, but I can usually find better quality and prices at a local place. My wife still occasionally goes for some seasonal things and I have a relative that works for them. Good for them because it works, but it ain't for me.

[Tri-Tip]

I'm a creature of habit, and at any given restaurant, I have 1-2 "go-to" meals. Exception is Cheesecake Factory where there are 4-5 things that I rarely stray from.

When it comes to coffee, I prefer Iced Coffee, and only like it the way Starbucks makes it. If I'm drinking hot coffee I really don't care what brand it is.

[AL7273]

MSG.

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

I understand that Starbucks uses MSG in their coffee. Remember, these are not organic beans. They are mass produced.

[c41006]

Originally Posted by Zuger

We are creature of habits and like things we are familiar with. This is the same reason why crowds and lines are always longer at McDonalds if you are ever inside the food court in a shopping mall.

pretty much this...

[azguy]

I get 2 venti soy lattes everyday at SB, so I'm part of the cult. It doesn't matter if I'm in mid-town Manhattan, Scottsdale or Newport Beach it tastes exactly the same and hits the spot like nothing else.

Where I'm at in scottsdale there are 5 stores within 5 miles and 2 more in supermarkets in that 5 mile circle and every one is busy, super busy actaully.

[T. Ferguson]

Want to see a massive Starbucks line try any location in a Vegas strip hotel at about 8 AM on a weekend morning.

The thing that surprised me about their popularity is that their pastries are in my mind mediocre at best.

[tkerrmd]

Glad I don't do coffee!

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by AL7273

MSG.

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

I understand that Starbucks uses MSG in their coffee. Remember, these are not organic beans. They are mass produced.

No wonder it tastes like crap.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Glad I don't do coffee!

X2

Java-junkies, caffeine-crack-addicts!!

Worst 6 weeks of my life was the period it took me to get off coffee, the best thing I ever did was go through those 6 weeks, it has improved my life in many many ways!!!

[Rootbeer]

Originally Posted by AL7273

MSG.

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

I understand that Starbucks uses MSG in their coffee. Remember, these are not organic beans. They are mass produced.

I understand the point about commercial bean production to be concerns over pesticides.

I understand that there is some debate around msg and the putative links to obesity, though to quote from the wiki posted:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given MSG its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation. While a popular belief in the Anglosphere holds that large doses of MSG can cause headaches and other feelings of discomfort, in controlled studies scientists have been unable to trigger reactions consistently

But i'm struggling to find evidence to support your statement that there is MSG in Starbucks coffee. Do you have some links to help back this up?

[ocabj]

This is why I'm kicking myself for not buying up SBUX when it tanked back in 2008 and they were closing stores.

[69mach351]

Originally Posted by ocabj

This is why I'm kicking myself for not buying up SBUX when it tanked back in 2008 and they were closing stores.

Hindsight is 20/20. If you knew what stocks would do in a few years, you could make a killing. Don't feel bad about it.

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

I understand the point about commercial bean production to be concerns over pesticides.

I understand that there is some debate around msg and the putative links to obesity, though to quote from the wiki posted:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given MSG its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation. While a popular belief in the Anglosphere holds that large doses of MSG can cause headaches and other feelings of discomfort, in controlled studies scientists have been unable to trigger reactions consistently

But i'm struggling to find evidence to support your statement that there is MSG in Starbucks coffee. Do you have some links to help back this up?

I heard once that Starbucks DECAF has as much caffeine as other company's regular coffee and Starbucks regular has 3x the caffeine as anyone else.

I don't know if this is true, and have no data to back it up.

[69mach351]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I heard once that Starbucks DECAF has as much caffeine as other company's regular coffee and Starbucks regular has 3x the caffeine as anyone else.

I don't know if this is true, and have no data to back it up.

I read an article about a study a few months back and they were looking at Starbucks, Dunkin donuts, and McDonalds premium coffees. In short, the higher priced coffee, starbucks in this case, did have more caffeine, but I don't think it was 3 times but maybe closer to twice that of McD's. IIRC, DD was in between.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by crew

I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale airport waiting for my flight home.
I'm seated across from a Starbucks and, as I'm a little bored, I'm watching the line there. There are easily 50 people in line now! Not 100' away is a small bagel shop that also has coffee. They have 6 people in line.
Btw, the Starbucks line is very slow. It looks like a 15-20 minute wait. What does Starbucks put in their coffee that make people crave it so badly?
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm drinking a cup of their coffee now and loving it. I'm with my partner and she waited in the Starbucks line while I got us bagels in the other line. (As I said, I'm a little bored and felt the need to share this useless information)

You sure that's not the line for check in? Looks like it to me.

[Larry302]

Beats me, I've never been in or had Starbucks .
Same thing at the DD on East ave in Roch. Cars lines up,into the street , I just don't get it who waits in long lines for coffee ?

And yes I drink a pot or so a day.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by crew

What does Starbucks put in their coffee that make people crave it so badly?

The burnt taste of Starbucks is alluring, but I'd say it's the caffeine.

http://www.coolinfographics.com/caffeine-poster/

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news...from-java.html

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

But i'm struggling to find evidence to support your statement that there is MSG in Starbucks coffee. Do you have some links to help back this up?

I've never heard of MSG in Starbucks coffee. Please provide some data - I'd like to see this myself.....

[rodrob59]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Want to see a massive Starbucks line try any location in a Vegas strip hotel at about 8 AM on a weekend morning.

The thing that surprised me about their popularity is that their pastries are in my mind mediocre at best.

Exactly why the wife and I are buying a cheap coffee maker for our room on our next visit.

[GB-man]

Starbucks coffee is mostly shit. People like it because they know that certain drink on the menu sounds appealing right about now. In the airport, a small treat, refuge, getaway is just what you need. Starbucks offers that and people have nothing better to do than stand in line for thier overpriced, moderate quality, cream filled over sugared drink.

[Andad]

Only tried SB's once when they opened a store in Oz.

Didn't think the coffee was all that good and haven't tried it again.

[Rock]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Only tried SB's once when they opened a store in Oz. Didn't think the coffee was all that good and haven't tried it again.

As above.

I think there is usually a big divergence of opinion about the quality of coffee between those who drink milk-based coffee and those who drink blacks or Espresso.
Milk hides a multitude of sins, and even more if you put sugar in it also.
With a Long-black or Espresso there's nowhere to hide. If it's bitter, or burned, tasteless or acid, you will notice it.

[AL7273]

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

I understand the point about commercial bean production to be concerns over pesticides.

I understand that there is some debate around msg and the putative links to obesity, though to quote from the wiki posted:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given MSG its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation. While a popular belief in the Anglosphere holds that large doses of MSG can cause headaches and other feelings of discomfort, in controlled studies scientists have been unable to trigger reactions consistently

But i'm struggling to find evidence to support your statement that there is MSG in Starbucks coffee. Do you have some links to help back this up?

Be wary of the phrase "artificial flavoring". This means MSG:

Natural and artificial flavors– This is a whole category of possible ingredients, none of which are specified and are usually classified as trade secrets. However both natural and artificial flavors typically contain the toxin monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is frequently used in laboratories to create obese animals for testing. Here’s an example of this practice. And another.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the...#ixzz3XvQxjxLd


Also, look at those lines of people. Ask yourself: did you ever see lines like that for any other coffee product before Starbucks came out? Do you think Starbucks coffee is simply so good that people will line up like that? Do these lines look like "that magical place between work and home" that the the CEO says he is "passionate" about creating?

No mate, it is the combination of a highly addictive substance (caffeine) Plus the MSG = serious addiction.

[Britexpat76]

They even have the English drinking coffee...........

Personally I hate the stuff but always start my day with a cup of English Breakfast with a splash of milk.

[TheBluePrince]

Starbucks is like Apple. Some people just gotta have it cause it's Starbucks and they don't know any better or don't want to.