Starbucks provokes decaf brew-haha
Posted By Teresa Gubbins in Square Pegs on January 30, 2009
Every time Starbucks burps, its wannabe competitors pile on. The latest: On Tuesday Starbucks announced it will shut down decaf after 12 noon, making pots only on request, as part of its effort to save $400 million by September.
Today, local mini-chain Coffee N Cream sent out a press release promising MORE DECAF THAN EVER after 12 noon. Meanwhile Caribou Coffee is hosting a gimmicky giveaway of decaf coffee starting at noon.
Personally, I don't do decaf but either way, I'd rather have a fresh-brewed cup, anyway.
One Starbucks action you hope they won't mimic: The announcement that Starbucks will lay off 6,700 employees over the next eight months, including 6,000 store personnel; and its closure of 300 stores: 200 in the U.S. and 100 international outlets.
Collin Gouldin says:
after noon is when you need decaf the most... not when you first get up in the morning.
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luniz says:
how can you bleeping need decaf? that's just stupid. you need real coffee. the only possible reason to ever drink decaf is that it's cold and late and you want something warm on your way home to bed.
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Pavel Lishin says:
I don't really understand why you'd pay Starbucks prices for decaf coffee. It's like going to a bar and ordering O'Doul's.
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David Gouldin says:
Actually, if you must do decaf, the process used to decaffeinate the beans makes a big difference in the flavor. I don't know if Starbucks uses the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decaffeination#Swiss_water_process">Swiss water process</a>, but it at least makes decaf only mildly unappetizing rather than completely undrinkable.
I wonder if this applies to decaf espresso as their super-automatics (the stores that still have them) are supposed to automate even the grinding.
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9 months, 4 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush says:
Decaf is for quitters!
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