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According to Nikkei Japan, All the Starbucks in the US closed for 3 hours where 135000 members of staff took lessons on how to make good coffee.
The move was taken and also used as a PR event as many customers seem to be "leaving Starbucks." Some consumers said that Mc Donalds coffee tastes better than Starbucks.
The best Starbucks I've had was in Seattle and the worst was the UK. Starbucks in Japan and China tastes decent too. Is it me or are the prices of Starbucks going up?
How is the taste like in your region?
Image via Flickr.
Posted on 2008/02/28 06:39
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 10:54
Registered on 2006/12/24 22:25
Only ever tried their Ice tea which tasted like ribena, not great considering its very expensive to buy :P
Game Designer
Registered on 2007/10/28 16:40
I dont relly like Starbucks...
In Taiwan, Starbucks have a proportion of market and i think they are doing well.
Taste 65% good is what i think.Well, most of Taiwanese dont drink coffee often, or least go to Star. Too many substitute i think.
In Malaysia(East Coast), the taste is bad I the people here prefer another substitute call "Coffee Bean" (Of Expended name "Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf"), I prefer the later one too. And of cause cheaper is what i think!
Starbucks taste 45% good here, and Coffee bean taste 70%
MC's coffee? I think it is because it could be free to refill. But sad they are going to stop to do so because of the market price is continuously increasing!
Student
Registered on 2008/02/10 23:42
I can't really say much on it, I only ever drink Hot chocolate from them, tastes like every other Hot chocolate I've had. Although the Shortbread cookies are nice, if pricey
Everything
Registered on 2007/01/15 11:21
Starbucks is alright. I like strong coffee so given the choice between Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, I'll get Starbucks. McDonald's does have some pretty good coffee for a fast food place, but it's too weak for my taste. I liked the independent coffee bean brewer when I used to live in Philadelphia, but now that I'm in the suburbs it's all strip malls and national chains, so I go to Panera Bread. Decent coffee, but free wi-fi.
Student
Registered on 2007/11/04 20:30
Starbucks doesn't dare to come to Vietnam cuz it will be saged alive by the local brands.
And in case u don't know, Vietnamese drinks one of the strongest coffee in the world, and starbucks coffee tastes like lemonade to us...
Wiki for Vietnamese coffee if you are curious enough xD
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 11:50
Registered on 2008/02/10 14:53
You got it right :).
Even milk coffee in Vietnam is strong enough to make me feel @_@.
McMaster Student Fall 08
Registered on 2007/11/18 11:46
There was a recent article (maybe a couple months back?) in the newspaper that spoke about coffee from 4 different locations; McD's, Tim Hortons (a canadian coffe/donut branch), Starbucks and some other place. According to the taste testers, who were blindfolded while tasting, all concluded that the unknown coffee (which was later found out to be McD's) was the better tasting.
The thing with a place like star bucks, I often go there in the winter for a couple reasons; change of atmosphere, and for the coffee. I wouldn't say it's bad, but I cannot compare it yet to McD's - have yet to try it :3
Student Otaku
Registered on 2008/01/04 16:05
I love the fraps. Sure it's bottle coffee, but it taste good. Regualr coffee taste.......hard to compare, I perfer Tim Hortons over Starbuicks here in Canada...McD's don't match up to Tim Hortons...
STUDENT
Registered on 2008/02/12 08:26
in my city we dont have starbucks D=
Pianist, Writer, Teacher
Registered on 2008/01/14 17:32
I don't drink hot beverages!
Is it because I'm using Safari that the comment permalinks are displacing the final line of each comment, making them a little difficult to read, especially if it is just a one-line comment? I know you've got a new set up going on, just thought I'd mention it, Danny.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 11:50
It's a Safari problem. I'm sure Danny has seen it.
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Registered on 2007/07/06 09:55
I prefer the local brew of coffee as compared to Starbucks. Has a nice homebrewed taste and is much cheaper too.
Photographer
Registered on 2007/07/16 21:44
I'd never drink $tarbucks coffee over priced over hyped crap coffee. Prices are going up because coffee bean prices are going up across the board.
College Student
Registered on 2007/11/02 11:29
Unfortunately I can't give an opinion cause I don't drink coffee. On a side note, I like that the comment/post button and webpage loads faster now :)
vendor
Registered on 2008/01/23 08:13
The coffee in Starbucks is so expensive, when i go to that coffee shop to eat a piece a cake and some choco cafe the price in the philippines is 7 dollar.(If i converted it to a peso). but from Mc.Do, its tastefully..
Student
Registered on 2008/02/10 06:52
Starbucks is expensive compared to the other coffee shops in Canada. I feel Tim Hortons tastes better and it's cheaper too. Basicly here in Canada for me at least....Tim Hortons > Starbucks.
Student
Registered on 2007/12/15 09:45
In Malaysia, Starbucks is probably the best place to get coffee, but it's really pricey ^^;
But I dunno.. I'm saying that based on how often my friends go there. I don't drink coffee myself. Have only ever had 1 cup of coffee in my life ^^;
dannychoo.com no aidokusha
Registered on 2007/12/25 22:50
starbucks and mcdonalds are the dominant force in fastfood in malaysia.
actually the price of starbucks here is similar to that of the US after conversion... ~RM13 (USD 4) for a ice blended (somemone correct me if i am wrong) it just that my salary is low
but then again, alot of malaysia prefer to hang out at mamaks, drinking teh tarik
Student
Registered on 2007/12/15 09:45
Haha, I guess it's true that we prefer to go to mamaks ^^;
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:24
I see a comment link at the bottom now...that was fast. ^^
Anyway, comparing starbucks to other coffee shops in my country...well, I'd say its one of the best but not the top. We have a local coffee shop here in my city that beats starbucks in taste and price. ^^
Copywriter
Registered on 2008/02/23 14:30
i used to drink a cup or two on weekends years ago but have stopped, cos they really r expensive and i can get cheaper as well as better in lots of other places.
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:18
Starbucks is just beginning in Brazil (yeah, crazy).
But our coffee is famous... which is probably why it took so long to Starbucks getting here.
I mean, coffee is one of the most consumed beverages here. Everywhere you go, you'll find it.
In almost every commercial business (where you have to spend some time) they'll offer coffee along with water.
Every brazilian has an opinnion on coffee. Most people will automatically know if the coffee is good, too bland, too thick, and stuff like that.
I still didn't go to Starbucks... but maybe later this year. In Brazil at least... I already went in a Canadian Starbucks (on Toronto airport).
But although I do like coffee, capuccino and other variations, I can't drink too much due to stomach problems...
Student
Registered on 2007/07/22 02:15
i don even drink coffee...
IT
Registered on 2007/08/17 23:44
Here in Portland OR, Starbucks test good, and also I went to Guangzhou China, where my wife is from, and it taste the same.
Contraband Distrabution Specialist
Registered on 2007/09/29 04:18
It's good, but too expensive. I'll drink waffle house coffee. It's $1 US all you can drink, or until they kick you out the store! :P
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:45
never tasted starbuck nor McD coffee. ^^;
大学生/University Student
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:04
Human being. Really, I'm not joking!
Registered on 2007/10/22 01:58
Game Designer & 2D Artist
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:01
I'm not a coffee person, so I usually goes for the frappio..
that said, other places like Gloria Jeans or Coffe beans have many varieties
but one coffee in those place cost as much as 2 times of decent meal, you can even squeeze 3 if you really tried
Unoccupied
Registered on 2008/02/16 22:45
I agree, paying Rp 50k for a cup of coffee while each meal costs Rp 23k is definitely hard on the wallet.
I've never seen McD Cafe in Jakarta yet, or is it only me?
Stealthy Ninja, Life support.
Registered on 2008/01/15 12:29
could never justify myself paying over 5 bucks just for steamed milk and shots of coffee lol.
But living in Canada has allowed me to bask in the glory that is Tim Horton's! lol
Comic Artist, writer
Registered on 2007/09/11 02:29
I don't trust McDonalds.
They probably put some kinda coffee flavoring in it - like their French Fries, or something.
Lazyass human
Registered on 2007/08/15 20:13
Starbucks over in Singapore taste definitely better than McD's... But the price is madness. Not healthy for my figurine-budget if I were to drink that often. =P
Student
Registered on 2007/08/25 10:25
Nothing better than your own cofee
hazy in Manila, Philippines
Med Editor
Registered on 2007/12/28 19:09
I think the Starbucks coffee tastes fine here, although I only drink the hot cappucino and the mocha frap. I did notice the prices went up too. Their chocolate drink is bleh, I'd very much rather have McDonald's hot chocolate which they serve here. =)
Tami in Germany - Cologne
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Registered on 2007/12/16 10:30
Hmm, Starbucks in germany is okay, then again i only drink their hot chocolate on the way. I don't drink coffee so dunno about that...
But their prices are surely something, i think it's 2 Euros for that little bit of hot chocolate, it's made with water instead of milk too but they top it with steamed milk or cream. It doesn't taste bad but sure is expensive.
They also have some nice choco cookies which i like... but yea... pricy. :)
I prefer my home made hot chocolate with brownies of my mother anyways.
Cheaper + bigger amount + more yummy. ;)
Insane Student
Registered on 2008/02/27 11:40
Heh...I never trust McDonold... they might even put "special" cream ready for your coffee... Hahahaha
Cheap beef, adictive, rat parts in your food, rumors etc...In the US
Registered on 2007/04/21 21:07
I much prefer Coffee Bean. Starbucks' price a cup is too exorbitant.
Registered on 2007/04/21 21:07
Nonetheless, I prefer a more prideful, local alternative that we here in Sabah call "Coffee Tenom". Nothing beats the fresh taste of locally grown coffee bean available dirt cheap in my state.
Online Shop
Registered on 2008/01/17 11:23
There are so many Starbucks here in US, it's practically Starbucks every block in Souther California area. And they all taste different in my opinion, it depends on whoever that is making the drink. Some drinks were too sweet or too bitter due to people who were making it.
I've been to Starbucks in Shibuya right in front of Shibuya station and I thought it was really overpriced. Their large size is basically medium size in US, but the price was $1-2 more than US's price. I only went there to try the new Red Bean frappucinno and it wasn't that great.
computer business Infomation system
Registered on 2007/11/30 13:32
Never drank starbucks coffee before. In fact, I never even tasted any kind of coffee before.
Student, ACG Fans
Registered on 2007/08/14 16:22
seldom go Starbucks and seldom drink coffee, but the last time I go the taste not bad too but forgot where already.
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:30
I always loved Starbucks here in Manila, although I do find the ones in other countries have more variety to their menu. the one in Vancouver had the best maple scone I had tasted on any starbucks so far. btw if anyone is interested in scones, I would suggest the one on Fortnum and Mason in the UK. the best scone I've ever had in my lifetime. makes the starbucks ones taste like sugared cardboard. ^^
anyway back to starbucks, one thing I did find strange here in Manila is that the starbucks here are usually full of people during the evening as opposed to the ones in other countries where they are usually busy during the morning.
Student~
Registered on 2007/07/14 09:53
frappacino are always tempting to drink but theys ure cost too much -.-"
and ya i have a thing for sweet but not too sweet stuff
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:00
I hate Starbucks, no offense but that thing is everything except coffee. A true coffee is what most common known as an espresso and the best around is Nespresso. The reason why there are no Starbucks here is because people don't like that thing.
Universitary Student
Registered on 2007/07/03 18:54
there is no starbucks here so i don't know ^^
CSU student
Registered on 2007/09/18 16:45
I was at school surfing the site when I found out that they were closed. My friends wanted coffee since we had a 4 hour class starting at 6:30. In the end we all got some Red Bull and we were fine. Personally I didn't miss them, I hate the taste of coffee anyways. Also, there hot chocolate tastes like crap.
food monkey
Registered on 2008/02/08 19:48
Considering Starbucks started in Seattle, it's no surprise you had your best Starbucks there, Danny. Starbucks is just coffee to me, nothing too special about it...I usually only get the frappacinos, but they are very bad for you. I think they try too hard to make coffee "special".
大学生/University Student
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:04
I prefer soya bean milk to coffee.
Designer graphic
Registered on 2007/08/03 04:57
In indonesia Starbucks taste OK...
well dunno about mac's coffe...
i think it is true that starbucks is expensive, and u can get a better taste
with low cost... if u look around some more....
well if Mac's coffee taste better then SBucks... it's quite FUNNy HAHAHA ...
Chef, Full fledged Otaku, Full time Observer.....
Registered on 2008/02/02 00:14
Hmm... $7 for a cup of coffee(starbucks) or $0.70 for the same cup of coffee(coffee shop)???
There is just no competition when it comes to price, value & d@mn good coffee here in singapore, coffee shop all the way!!!
btw i like my coffee strong and the local coffee shops really deliver. starbucks tastes like plain water to me...
Designer graphic
Registered on 2007/08/03 04:57
the tea is FUCI#@1 expensive...
and taste like p33
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:05
i have tried Starbucks' frap and i likd it but it's too damn expensive @@
i don't understand why people here enjoy drinking really expensive and buying stale pastries
there's a much cheaper an better coffee out there ^^
World Traveller
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:04
Don't usually drink Ko Hi. Friends and I loving refer to Starbucks as "Bigbucks" coffee. Nuff said.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:36
The times I tried their frappuccino and hot chocolate (in two different countries, and during very different years) I liked them both, but:
1) I am no coffee fan;
2) Prices in that kind of place are generally high;
3) I usually eat at home, unless there are coupons. But since Starbucks never have any to offer. ^^;
Manga-ka/Gunjin
Registered on 2007/10/30 20:49
I have to say that starbucks in Japan is the best I`ve tasted. Also they are the only starbucks that sell Matcha Frapi. That alone is the win lol and since america doesnt like matcha they fail.
Working while waiting for National Services
Registered on 2007/08/22 12:42
I don't usually go and specially buy coffee to drink unless there is no choice where only coffee is provided.
Believe it or not, but I have never buy any coffee from starbuck before as I think their coffee is really expensive.^^ Maybe will try once in future.
BioInformatician
Registered on 2007/11/20 20:34
starbucks is goddamn expensive here in germany. tried one vanilla latte grande and i'm cured for life! never ever ;)
Polytechnic Student, Freshly Entered.
Registered on 2007/01/25 21:08
I would never live it down if I bought coffee from Starbucks. It's somewhat expensive in Singapore; for the price of a cup of coffee I could have a full lunch. <_< >_> If MacD's coffee is better than Starbucks', then the world is closer to the end than I think.
Web Developer
Registered on 2008/02/07 23:26
Meh, starbucks coffee/other drinks are overpriced imho here in canada. I would rather buy tim horton which is a much cheaper option.
Student
Registered on 2007/10/27 01:14
Starbucks = overpriced coffee, that applies to every country they're in.
Krispy Kreme for me.....coffee and donuts.....mmmm
Photographer, Chef-in-training, and writer
Registered on 2008/01/10 23:38
Eh, Starbucks, McD, Tim Horton, i dont really care, as long as it keeps me awake, and i can swallow it without choking. ~_^
Student
Registered on 2008/02/22 10:10
I've boycoted starbucks for years. Their so expensive and their coffiee sucks compared to the local coffee houses around here.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 11:50
This post reminds me I need to add money to my Starbucks card...
Yes they have raised their prices. Just slightly, two or three times in the last six months I believe. I don't think I have gotten a poor cup in Japan. I like that since it can very a lot here in the states. All it takes is one poor cup of coffee and I will quit going to that Starbucks.
There is a Starbucks in the Student Union and the coffee is terrible! Haven't really found an outstanding Starbucks here in the Detroit area yet.
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium
IT, Programmer, ...
Registered on 2007/04/25 05:02
We don't have Starbucks in Belgium, or at least, haven't seen any yet here.
But I'm not a coffee drinker anyway, so wouldn't go to one ^^;
Training for kicking ass
Registered on 2008/02/17 13:36
I never buy from Starbucks, but from the few times I have the coffee was good I suppose. Still no cup of coffee is worth the prices they charge.
And I have a theory about the McD's coffee being preferred. I propose that since it's cheap, most people have tasted or buy on a regular basis coffee from McDonald's, and therefore have become accustomed to the taste, and then when doing a taste test, it's likely they'll pick what they are familiar with.
Registered on 2007/12/19 15:19
i still prefer my very own homemade organic brewed coffee.
Student
Registered on 2007/09/03 20:49
Starbucks coffe is nice.
But way too expensive for me.
Ill stick to nescafe
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