YumSugar

Starbucks Has a New Strategy: Sell in Subway Shops

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:49 -0800

Hoping to put an end to hemorrhaging sales, Starbucks is moving full speed ahead with a new strategy. In addition to cutting workers' hours and streamlining recipes, the nation's largest coffee chain will be entering a partnership with the country's biggest sandwich franchise, Subway. Next month, select Subways will start selling Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best Coffee. In the six-month test launch, approximately 1,900 Subway sandwich shops will carry coffee blends, including the Seattle's Best Blend, Henry's Blend, and the 6th Avenue Bistro Blend. Subway has long wanted to tap into the morning market: earlier this year, Subway announced it would be rolling out a new line of cafés.

Still, I was taken aback to learn that it wouldn't be creating its own label. I'm also surprised to hear that, after closing 600 stores in 2008, Starbucks is expanding its coffee business yet again. Do you think it's a wise move? Would you hit up a Subway to get coffee?

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Like Cold Coffee? Try Cold Brewed Coffee

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:01:18 -0700

You guys seemed pretty excited when I shared a simple tip to keep your iced coffee from getting watered down. Well, if you thought that one was good, here's one that the folks at Seattle's Best Coffee emailed to me. Instead of brewing their coffee like normal, they cold brew it overnight, resulting in an iced coffee that can stay fresh for up to seven days.

So what is cold brewing? It's essentially letting coffee grounds soak in room temperature overnight. You'll need a cold brew concentrator, or you could rig one up yourself with some jars and filters. If you're not interested in going the diy route, the Toddy Maker Cold Brew Coffee System is available for $28.

And if cold brew sounds too complicated (although it looks really quite simple), you can always brew up a batch of coffee, bring it to room temperature and then refrigerate to use the next day.

If you'd like to learn more about cold brewing, here's a step by step tutorial.

All the News That's Fit to Eat - August 20, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:15:16 -0700

For a taste of Summer in Europe, try these cocktails. - Seattle Times
Merlot lovers, still reeling from their Sideways snub, set the record straight with a movie of their own. - Chicago Tribune
A day in the sensory world of a professional coffee taster. - Los Angeles Times
Meet Food Studies, the crossroads where academia and food meet. - Washington Post
Which commercial vanilla ice cream tastes the best? - Boston Globe
Did you know these five items taste delicious right off the grill? - Dallas Morning News
Jessica Simpson has yet another professional title under her belt: beer spokeswoman. - Huffington Post
In case you don't have enough, here are fifteen more uses for homegrown tomatoes. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Applebee's female CEO gives the restaurant chain a much-needed menu makeover. - New York Times
Beat the heat with these summer cocktail party suggestions.- San Francisco Chronicle

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