Coffee

[MartyFunkhouser]

As a general rule, yes. Especially when that is the only product you sell and you sell at high prices. But I am willing to hear explanations as to why Starbucks is so successful in spite of (as you say) selling terrible coffee.

But the funny thing is that no matter the topic, you almost always chime in to say that you hate something. The more popular and successful it is, the greater the odds that you hate it. It seems that your sense of identity is wrapped up in the idea of being a cool, counter-culture iconoclast by hating everything popular. You are trying way too hard.

I don't know the reason for Starbucks success. Even if I did, your preconceived notions wouldn't allow you to actually listen. I'm surprised by your passion for this topic considering that you haven't tasted the product to even have an informed opinion on it. By the way, I don't hate Starbucks, I just think their product is poor. I think you ignored the part where I mentioned that I am glad that they came to market. You are really quite good at ignoring anything that doesn't fit your preconceived narrative.

You are right, I hate everything that is popular and successful. I really hate the most popular and successful NHL team, the Chicago Blackhawks. I really hate what is the most popular and successful television show right now, Game of Thrones.

[Sullyute]

Dang it, NS. I was kind of hoping to hear what you're doing. Little did I know you went plebe on me.

Yeah, I grind my coffee all stealthy under my desk because I don't want to be "that guy" (never mind what people think when they see a guy with his arms oscillating under his desk). It looks totally pretentious, but I'm sort of fascinated with the coffee world and if i don't fresh grind, I would really just get the best coffee with the Keurig. Which is, well, boring. So I'll just be the guy who keeps hiding hands under his desk.

That line brought laughter so loud I had tears in my eyes.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I don't know the reason for Starbucks success.

Of course you do. You just won't admit it.

Even if I did, your preconceived notions wouldn't allow you to actually listen. I'm surprised by your passion for this topic considering that you haven't tasted the product to even have an informed opinion on it. By the way, I don't hate Starbucks, I just think their product is poor. I think you ignored the part where I mentioned that I am glad that they came to market. You are really quite good at ignoring anything that doesn't fit your preconceived narrative.

I couldn't care less about Starbucks. I am not defending Starbucks, I am mocking your schtick.

You are right, I hate everything that is popular and successful. I really hate the most popular and successful NHL team, the Chicago Blackhawks. I really hate what is the most popular and successful television show right now, Game of Thrones.

Weird response. I never claimed you hated 100% of popular things. You will notice I said "you almost always..." and "the greater the odds...". My observation still stands. Don't kid yourself. You are the guy on the left in the Woody Allen clip.

Furthermore, I am not the first person to note this. You have always been defined by the things you hate. There is even an old thread dedicated to it.

http://www.cougarstadium.com/showthr...-thousand-suns

[ERCougar]

Another plug for publicus. I tried breakfast for the first time because I had some extra time.


I'm trying to figure out how they poached those eggs.

This wasn't cheap, as opposed to the coffee, which is well priced. Still. ..totally worth it

[SeattleUte]

Of course you do. You just won't admit it.



I couldn't care less about Starbucks. I am not defending Starbucks, I am mocking your schtick.



Weird response. I never claimed you hated 100% of popular things. You will notice I said "you almost always..." and "the greater the odds...". My observation still stands. Don't kid yourself. You are the guy on the left in the Woody Allen clip.

Furthermore, I am not the first person to note this. You have always been defined by the things you hate. There is even an old thread dedicated to it.

http://www.cougarstadium.com/showthr...-thousand-suns

You're being disingenuous. First, mpfunk is a curmudgeon; a gadfly. So what. They serve a useful social purpose. I could cite many examples, including a few who were murdered for their outlier positions and have become revered.

Second, popular often does not connote the best. The popular imagination really is quite impoverished. Cormac McCarthy will never sell a novel even 10% of 50 Shades of Gray's sales. Franchised restaurants usually suck. I could go on, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

All that being said, Starbucks does have excellent coffee, in my opinion, though probably not the best on the planet. Coffee is not really all that complicated. The more complex the undertaking the more likely that popular means you have to find a lowest common denominator.

[Jeff Lebowski]

You're being disingenuous. First, mpfunk is a curmudgeon; a gadfly. So what. They serve a useful social purpose. I could cite many examples, including a few who were murdered for their outlier positions and have become revered.

Second, popular often does not connote the best. The popular imagination really is quite impoverished. Cormac McCarthy will never sell a novel even 10% of 50 Shades of Gray's sales. Franchised restaurants usually suck. I could go on, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

All that being said, Starbucks does have excellent coffee, in my opinion, though probably not the best on the planet. Coffee is not really all that complicated. The more complex the undertaking the more likely that popular means you have to find a lowest common denominator.

I have always enjoyed funk. On top of everything else, he is fun to tease.

[clackamascoug]

This is a bitter thread.

Pass the cream.

[Clark Addison]

Another plug for publicus. I tried breakfast for the first time because I had some extra time.


I'm trying to figure out how they poached those eggs.

This wasn't cheap, as opposed to the coffee, which is well priced. Still. ..totally worth it

That is a lot more green than I like in my breakfast, unless it is avocado or kiwi.

[falafel]

That is a lot more green than I like in my breakfast, unless it is avocado or kiwi.

No kidding. Who's up for some salad for breakfast?

[TripletDaddy]

No kidding. Who's up for some salad for breakfast?

salad is the ultimate hashish.

[Eddie]

Have any of you guys tried this place?

[YOhio]

I love buddy the elf.

[SteelBlue]

ER, are you allowed to make and drink your coffee at home or is this only an at work and out and about hobby?

[ERCougar]

ER, are you allowed to make and drink your coffee at home or is this only an at work and out and about hobby?

My wife isn't the type to ban things, but when I started drinking it much, we decided I wouldn't do it at home because I didn't want to confuse the kids. That turned out to be kind of dumb because the kids didn't even blink when I eventually told them i drank coffee. We're pretty health-oriented in our house, so that may have helped. However, I still don't really ever drink it at home, because I don't want to ever become dependent on it to function--not drinking at home is a sort of drug holiday. Also, I don't really need the focus at home like I do at work.

In Paris, we had a Starbucks across the street from our apartment. When we landed at around 11 am, we had planned to just power through the day and let the kids have a little caffeine help (I don't think caffeine/coffee is a good idea for kids). My 14 yr old was pretty excited to try his first coffee, so I still wonder if it represents a little rebellion in his mind. If coffee remains the extent of his teenage rebellion, I'll be ok with that.

[pellegrino]

So one thing that I don't get with all these coffee studies that have come out is that they specify that the benefits come to those who drink it black. Part of that makes sense and part of it doesn't.

It makes sense that in our current culture we end up putting way too much sugar and way too much cream to the point that it becomes a meal's worth of extra calories, which over time causes obesity, etc. That is clearly bad.

However, the way that they frame it appears to say that the moment a drop of milk touches the coffee it has lost its health benefits. What about the guy/gal who puts an ounce of milk in his/her cup without any sugar and doesn't increase his/her calorie intake for the day? Is the science saying "Thanks for playing, but you lose anyways"?