As you can tell, I love coffee. I also love tattoos, although it is difficult to find the two together. I very rarely see a coffee tattoo that either looks good or has been done well. So, I went on a quest over the great World Wide Web. After tireless hours of surfing over all the hipster’s favorite sites, I’ve found my winners.
Personal fav needs to be the small brown latte art on the foot.
The blog is back!
Let me personally apologize for this blog’s absence from the blogosphere over the past months. Of course, in the absence, the coffee world is rocked in several occasions: McDreamy buys a coffee chain and Starbucks wades into politically dangerous territory.
Patrick Dempsey buys Tully’s coffee.
Can McDreamy get any dreamier? Yes, yes he can by single handedly saving countless jobs and investing in the best product in business: coffee. Tully’s declared bankruptcy at the beginning of this year with many competitors vying to be it’s savior. With Starbucks as a main competitor, McDreamy swooped in and officially bought Tully’s coffee. The coffee chain will remain with the same name, just a more devastatingly handsome owner at the helm.
McDreamy sat down with a reporter at Time Magazine and discussed his opinions and motives for buying Tully’s. You can read the full interview here. How does Dempsey attribute the financial problems of the coffee chain? Growing too quickly. Why does he like the business so much? He loves coffee too. Oh McDreamy, you just went up significantly on my list.
Vote For Starbucks
Howard Shultz has some serious cajones. Not only is he single handedly masterminding what it is to rule the coffee world, but he is also a political activist. While some might think that the coffee giant has no business voicing his opinions on our political leaders and current policies, Schultz takes it all in stride. Most recently, he’s garnered some significant media attention for his comments on his shareholders and whether or not they agree with his values.
Earlier in March, Schultz made his stance very clear. He personally supports gay marriage, so much so that the National Organization for Marriage has asked those who support traditional marriage to boycott the company in hopes to make a difference. When Starbucks shareholders compared the earnings to what they might have been if there was no boycott in place, they questioned Schultz: does apathy on political issues help our bottom line?
Schultz made it very clear with his reply.
““If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38 percent you got last year, it’s a free country. You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much,”
Many media outlets took that to mean that Starbucks shareholders must hold the same beliefs and values as its CEO. That is not the case, Schultz believes that if shareholders are unhappy with the return on investment then they are welcome to sell and cut their perceived losses. I personally believe in Starbucks as a company, but that does not mean that I necessarily hold the same values.
Bottom line: Starbucks is a company that cares more about the numbers on their spread sheets and the hard cash that comes into each store. They care about the health and well being of their employees, they believe in the creativity of their customers, and they believe in the freedom for both of these classes to be themselves and live their lives the way they choose.
It is an age old dilemma for coffee lovers. Whether or not to keep paying that ever increasing price for your favorite specialty drink or try to cheapen the cost by going smaller and less extravagant. I personally, can attest to the addiction caused by a white chocolate mocha. It is the definition of divine, but while I love the drink, I do not love the price tag. In an economy where money is always tight and budgets need to be strict, spending upwards of four dollars on one specialty drink cannot be a daily luxury.
Often when I travel, I tend to give in more often to the specialty drinks. I often notice a price difference depending on what state I am in when I visit different stores mostly in the Midwest. While the difference is only a couple cents, it can add up drink after drink.
Courtesy of wsj.com
With the ever rising cost of coffee, I often wonder when I will reach a breaking point. How much will be too much? Can you even put a dollar amount on on the personal value of a cup of coffee? I do say to myself, if I ever spend more than $7 on a latte, there is a serious problem, but would that stop me from getting a latte if I visited Russia? Probably not.
Even though daily costs associated with coffee continue to rise, there are ways to pinch pennies and still enjoy some caffeinated heaven. You of course can visit a blog post I’ve written regarding creative ways to lessen the cost or ask the barista at your local store. Consider them the coffee experts; they are the source that would know best about their product and ways to cut a couple corners on the final bill.
The easiest way to lower the cost of coffee? Make it at home. Sad but true. After calculating the cost of the machine, K-Cups, and additives, my daily coffee when made at home in my Keurig evens out to about a dollar a day for 16 oz of pure deliciousness. Much cheaper than any store I know of. While it will never replace one of my favorite experiences; visiting my local coffee shop for a white mocha, it certainly makes me breathe easier with my finances.
Happy February my coffee connoisseurs.
I hope the holidays treated you well and you soaked up as much gingerbread and peppermint flavored coffee you could. I’m sure during this past holiday season that many of you frequented Starbucks, Caribou, Dunkin Donuts, or any of the multiple chain coffee stores across the nation. But I am here to remind you how precious independent coffee stores can be.
They are very much like the lottery. You can either win big or spend large amounts of money with very little in return. In my experience, I’d bet on them, most times as a customer, you win big.
The Product
Independent coffee shops have an advantage in their product. It can be superior to larger chains because they have more freedom and less red tape to fight through in the creation, development, and delivery of their products. Instead of focusing on consistency store by store, each independent shop must only deal with consistency between its baristas. They have the power to create individual drinks that can either make or break an independent store.
Since they have minimal stores to focus on, they are able to take freedoms in their machinery as well. I’ve noticed that most independent stores are able to have manual espresso machines, therefore giving them the ability to create drinks that standardized coffee shops cannot. Cuban shots and customized espresso that include spices, salts, and sugars are just a few things that give manual espresso machines an edge over automated machines.
The Service
This category could easily be a tie between independent and chain stores. Chains have the bigger advantage of more time and resources dedicated to training and the development of customer service. I do believe that independent stores had a great need for customer service, and therefore place more emphasis on it with their valued patrons. In my experience, independent coffee shops memorize my name and drink quicker than that of chain stores. On the other hand, I know the level of customer service to expect when I walk into any brand named store.
The Mission
Whether the mission of the store is to profit or for the general advancement of the good name of coffee; the mission of each shop permeates everything it touches. Between the product, pricing, and execution, the mission of the store should be its reason for existence. If a store’s mission is to merely make a profit, it can easily be recognized in the quality of the product. Most independent coffee shops are not created to make its owners millionaires. It is a passion that is normally nurtured into a store and it’s mission is reflected in the care for the products and services it provides.
With everything considered, independent stores are able to pay more attention to the finer details of their products and services but as a consumer, you are guaranteed a consistency in quality with a brand named chain store.
Earrings
$40
From TorchfireStudio via Etsy.
Make Coffee Not War
$8
Via TheSalvagedSparrow on Etsy.
Coffee Cozy
$7
Via WarmestFuzzies from Etsy
Barista Coffee Cup Series
$38.85
Via TheWordShop via Etsy
I Love You A Latte Tank
$30.99
Via Skreened.com
Coffee: (n.) a hug in a cup shirt
$28.99
Via Skreened.com
Keep Calm And Have Coffee
$8.99
Via KeepCalmAndStayGold via Etsy
Caffeine, It’s A Food
$27.00
Via Coffee Tea Print Typography via Etsy
Coffee Pendant
$14.00
Via Lizabettas via Etsy
Dr. Seuss Mug
$11.95
Via Amazon.
Coffee Nightlight
$8.96
Via Amazon.
Mustache Mug
$11.28
Via Amazon.com
Coffee Cufflinks
$14.95
Via Amazon.com
Onward: How Starbucks Fought For It’s Life Without Losing It’s Soul
By Howard Schultz – Hardcover
$10.40
Via Amazon.com
Have a wonderful Merry Christmas all my little caffeine addicts!!
I’ve noticed something this week; coffee is addictive. This is your cue to roll your eyes and say “of course it is.” Truly though, it is not the physical substance that is the essence of coffee, its the atsmopshere and people. It’s the background of the shop, the process, the art that is so addictive. I’ve noticed that once you’ve worked as a barista, you never really quit being a barista.
Not as though I need to sell being a barista on its own, it is already a coveted job in my opinion.
1) Being a barista creates an artistic community
Yes, working at any job creates community; although it is the art of making coffee that adds the word “artistic” to my description. In my experience, it is a community that encourages things that are different, unique, individualistic. Being a barista promotes individuals to learn how to be themselves, without any regard as to how weird that might look to the outside world. If done right, it really does create a family to which a barista is connected with long after they leave that position.
2) It teaches a craft
We all have our gifts. Some of us are mathematically gifted and can do equations without a second though. Some are good with they hands, they can work on engine and physical tasks that others cannot imagine attempting. Being a barista is similar, it is a craft that can be learned but requires dedication and diligent in order to be truly great. I would be surprised if a first time barista pulled latte art on their first attempt, it is something that needs to be practiced time and time again in order to be produced.
3) Teaches patience and genuine customer service
Being a barista is similar to other jobs in customer service as well. It is an experience on its own and sometimes makes us question what is true insanity. Dealing with questions such as “is your iced tea cold?” and in general needy customers develops a patience with people that goes far beyond the bar.
When it comes down to it, being a barista is one of the best jobs in the world. It prepares you for a career and in many cases, it can become your career. Either way it is a valuable experience and a fun one at that.
Macchiato, cappuccino, and cortado. There are several different ways to make each but there is always controversy as to which is the correct way. I personally enjoy seeing each different ones and notating which I prefer best. I recently found a coffee company based out of Chicago, Illinois that I particularly took a liking to their training videos. Not only are they incredibly skilled baristas, but their equipment and procedure are impeccable. I’ve selected some of my favorite videos for you here to watch, to finally put to rest the correct way to make the following drinks.
True Macchiato
Cappuccino
Cortado
I am a regular at two local Starbucks in my home town. One is in the middle of an outdoor mall that I frequent on my days off and when meeting with friends. It is quite possibly my favorite because it is without the hustle and bustle of a drive thru and is considered a smaller store. The other, is directly on my way to work and incredibly convenient. There is a very shallow reason as to why I stop by every morning a little before 7am: the barista remembers me by name and is probably the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in a green apron.
Two polar opposite reasons as to why I love two different stores. Each person has a motive as to why they have their favorite store or why they choose the brand they do. A co worker of mine found this recent article that I absolutly adored and figured I had to share on my blog. It is not a barista/customer love story (as much as I wish that could happen with my green apron hunk), but a story of a mutual connection created by coffee.
In summary, a woman asked her friend to get her a cup of coffee every time the friend ran to a nearby Starbucks. Instead of just getting the beautiful white cup and sleeve in return, she was greeted with messages written in Sharpie from a barista whom she had never met.
…and they kept coming. Over and over again, she would answer and send the empty cup with her friend on the return trips.
This interaction went on for weeks. After a month or so, the sad end came.
So, on his last day, she went to meet her mysterious co author of cups.
Now that’s what I would call great customer service.
This week I’ve had the amazing chance to travel back to my university and once stalk the tables of my favorite coffee shop; McConn. I’ve remember so many mornings, sitting on the brick fireplace while I read my devotions or hastily finished homework that was due for my morning class. There are so many life changes that happened for me here. I still vividly remember when I heard the news that I was offered the position of manager, it was a cold brisk walk from the business building on campus to the manager’s office where I was told to meet. I had a hunch, but with McConn, you never know for sure. I feel so privileged to be a part of something so large and undeniably awesome.
But enough about me.
Lets focus on you. On your shop. Or your bar. Or your job. In the midst of a cut throat competition of coffee shops pitted against each other in the race for caffeinated survival, it’s hard to tell what can give an edge. One thing is for certain, those who can emphasize unique methods or practices thrive. Key word being: UNIQUE. People are always thirsting for something different. Being a coffee shop addict, I love looking at the small things that make shops different.
Soak up the image. They have an espresso machine as art, outside, the shop. May I stress the fact that they have placed a multi thousand dollar piece of machinery outside as a lawn piece!? While I understand it is probably used, old, and/or broken, it certainly is an eye catcher and the first of it’s kind that I’ve ever seen. Bravo Lulu’s.
I remember a coffee shop in Canada. They had a two glass jars that were used for spoons. One jar for clean, one for dirty. This was so refreshing because you were not reduced to using wooden sticks or plastic straws to stir your coffee. It was a pleasurable experience to use real silverware to sir my coffee. The coffee shop went the extra mile to clean all the silverware to provide it’s customers with a unique expierence.
The drinks can also be a massive uniqueness opportunity. Personally, I can never find a coffee shop around my area that does an excellent Cuban shot. That is specially unique to McConn for me. Things like the Aztec mocha (Arcedium Coffee House in St. Charles, IL), the Mexican hot chocolate (McConn) and others can be specific drinks in a store can be a bankable unique characteristic.
I find that most success is found in something that people cannot find anywhere else. It’s the rarity that brings people back time and time again, especially at a coffee house. So find what you do well and is unique to your store and accent it.
It’s like when Facebook changes their layout again, you never know how to work it like you did before. Starbucks has done just that, they have changed again and I am here to gently guide you in the ways of working and navigating through the new Rewards program. You may call me Captain.
News flash: Starbuck’s free drink coupons from the Reward program are going mobile; and well that’s not even that half of it. Not only can you redeem your rewards through your smart phone, you can also redeem them for free drinks and food. I know, mind-blowing. But hold on, it gets more intense. Not only do you know have to worry about losing paper postcards, you now will be getting an email alert as to when you’ve earned another sweet fifteen.
&& the best news of all: sweet fifteen now only takes twelve stars. Thats rights ladies gentleman with gold cards, every twelve stars equals a free drink/food coupon. What could take you daily drinkers a little more than two weeks to earn, you can now do in as little as a week and a half. Congratulations and let the caffeine addicts nationwide rejoice.
To redeem your free drinks or food, it is now as simple was walking up the register and informing the barista that you have a reward and would like to use it. Then, using their terminal, they enter in and and swipe your card or scan your phone and you no longer need to worry about losing a postcard.
Now, not everything is gold and shiny. There are some drawbacks to the new and revamped Rewards program. Things that I will miss and admit have saved me money in the past. So long are the days of getting free syrups and soy with your gold card. An understandably wise business move by Starbucks, they will now be enforcing the marginal increase in price for these glorious add ins.
soy: 60¢
extra syrup: 50¢
Despite the bummer of now having to pay for my peppermint in my white mocha, I think the upgrades to the program are beneficial and wise move. Still have questions? The illustration below is straight from Starbuck’s website or simply go and ask your local Starbucks, baristas are always up to date on latest procedures and promotions!
