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Camping Can Do: Make Coffee Anywhere

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:47 -0700

A few weeks ago Starbucks sent us a sample of VIA, its new instant coffee. Being a bit of a coffee snob I was kind of grossed out but decided to try it on my upcoming climbing trip anyway.

The best thing VIA has going for it is its size - it's small. Normally when I pack for camping I bring the works: coffee beans, portable grinder, and a french press. I was so happy to have more space in my pack and I definitely noticed a lighter load on my back. Score one for VIA! Was it as good as the Blue Bottle coffee I normally bring with me? Uh, no. Not even close, but I didn't expect it to be.

I think the point of VIA is convenience - you can have a OK cup of coffee anywhere and it'll be easy. It's definitely the best instant coffee I've ever tried and it even tasted better than some drip coffee I've had. Although the Colombian blend I tried was a bit bitter at the end, it had a nice, mellow flavor too. For a touch of sweetness, I added another camping shortcut to the mix -shelf stable Horizon organic vanilla milk. My companion, who is no coffee snob, said it was the best cup of coffee he's ever had while camping.

Though I won't be using VIA at home, I think it's a good choice for backpacking, camping, or for traveling anywhere you need coffee quickly. From now on, I'll be bringing it with me on all of my climbing trips.

Daily Tech: Starbucks Debuts Two Handy iPhone Apps

GeekSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:05:41 -0700

Starbucks now has an iPhone app that will help you view store locations and menus and another one that lets you use your iPhone as a Starbucks card - The Wall Street Journal
Check out some video game deals and steals for this week - Green Pixels
Oh wow. Pee-Wee Herman has resurfaced and he now wants you to follow him on Twitter - Mashable
A company in Tokyo is starting to sell apartments with built-in solar panels - CrunchGear
Facebook could very well be that high-school reunion you didn't want to attend, but had no choice - Switched
What what? Microsoft is creating a tablet-like device called the Courier? - Gizmodo
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Starbucks To-Go Cold Cup Tumbler: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:00:59 -0700

Even before my afternoon stint as a barista, I was an enthusiastic fan of Starbucks. I go there on an almost daily basis, and often bring in my reusable Starbucks "to go" tumbler. When I first bought it, I had the manager at my local store use a Sharpie to scribble shorthand for my regular order on the side (genius!).

This Summer, Starbucks developed an even edgier tumbler for the warm weather: a cold to-go cup, complete with green straw, constructed in clear lucite. It sold out almost immediately, and is now being sold on eBay for as much as $50 a pop. What do you think of it: impractical or brilliant?

Source

VIA Instant Coffee to Arrive in Starbucks Stores Nationwide

YumSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:50:33 -0700

If you're a frequent or occasional instant coffee drinker, look out for a new kind of brew coming to a store near you. On Sept. 29, Starbucks will be rolling out its much-discussed instant coffee, VIA, in stores across the US and Canada.

When VIA Ready Brew was first introduced back in March, the insta-packets were only available in limited markets: Seattle, Chicago, London, and online. “Consumers have quickly adopted our instant coffee as their coffee while on the go,” CEO Howard Schultz said in a statement. “We were overwhelmed and humbled by the positive response from our customers and partners after tasting Starbucks VIA."

Unsurprisingly, Starbucks is not only marketing VIA as coffee on-the-go, but also as a creative element in the kitchen, playing a part in recipes from coffee sodas to cupcakes. Starbucks fans, do tell: Will you try out VIA once it hits your side of town?

10 Ways to Spend Smarter at Starbucks

SavvySugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:30:12 -0700

You don't have to eliminate your favorite things when spending less is your goal; you just need to spend smarter. Starbucks knows how much you're seeking value these days, and invited me to discover the ultimate insider's tips on how to enjoy your Starbucks experience for less. Deanna, the store manager of a local Starbucks, taught me several awesome tricks I never would have known about otherwise. Check out these ten tips that the stores' baristas swear by.

View Slideshow ›

My Afternoon as a Starbucks Barista

YumSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:10:52 -0700

Chaotic as things may appear behind a Starbucks counter, every drink is made custom and to order in a systematic, organized way. I know this because I spent an afternoon as a Starbucks barista. Laurel Village Starbucks store manager Deanna Barbagiovvanni put me to work yesterday behind the espresso machines.

The trickiest part of being a barista is deciphering the code on the side of a Starbucks cup. It was like trying to read an unknown foreign language. "That's a nonfat, two-pump white mocha," Deanna said, reaching for espresso shots, as I stood there, still trying to make sense of the notations. Customers rarely place orders for standard drinks, she explained: "One girl comes in every day and orders a venti Coffee Frappuccino with a grande scoop of ice, double blended, with light whip and just a little chocolate drizzle." Find out what else I learned and check out a video of me as barista when you read more

Christian Siriano to Collaborate With Starbucks

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:30:43 -0700

Starbucks' free pastry promotion may be over - but the coffee chain's slated to announce even more exciting news.

New York magazine reports that Project Runway winner Christian Siriano has plans to unveil a partnership with Starbucks for the upcoming holiday season.

Because further details about the collaboration have not yet been released - and news organizations have been barred from reporting them until Nov. 17 - we're left with nothing to work with but a wild imagination. Are fierce uniforms with avante-garde shoulders on the Starbucks horizon? Stay tuned.

Are you a fan of Christian Siriano's designs? Do you find the partnership to be a unique opportunity, or an odd match?

Starbucks to Give Away Gratis Pastries Tomorrow

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Last month, Starbucks completely overhauled its food menu, to focus on all-natural ingredients, and now, the company wants you to try them for free.

From opening until 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, print or show this flyer on your mobile device at any participating US location, and you'll get a free pastry of your choice with the purchase of a beverage.

The offer is only while supplies last, so run to your nearest Starbucks (which, most likely, isn't too far). I already know I'll be requesting a morning bun to go with my regular coffee. What will you be getting?

Source

Starbucks Renames Several Stores

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:37:46 -0700

This year alone, Starbucks has put its name on everything from instant coffee to super-premium ice cream, so it comes as a surprise that the corporate coffee titan is now moving to get rid of its name. The Seattle Times reports that the company is conducting a test to remove its ubiquitous name and mermaid logo from at least three of its Seattle stores and replace it with new names that emphasize the coffeehouses' surrounding neighborhoods. The first test location is slated to reopen next week bearing the new name 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea. The Starbucks corporate logo will be absent from the company's coffee and products and rebranded with the 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea name. To add to the classic coffeehouse vibe, the store will feature live music and poetry readings, a manual espresso machine, and wine and beer options.

The pilot comes at a time when large casual chains - including Starbucks - are suffering from sluggish sales and slower foot traffic. If the name change proves successful, the company may test this out in other markets. I find this step for Starbucks to be somewhat bizarre - but perhaps it's a measure that will ultimately pay off. What do you think of the move?

Source: Flickr User jimg944

Reality Check: Working at Starbucks, Just For the Health Care

SavvySugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:30:52 -0700

Health insurance has become an invaluable benefit - if an accident were to occur and you didn't have coverage, you could be paying off a mountain of medical debt for years to come. A Reuters article highlights just how important insurance is for Americans when considering employment opportunities, and profiles a mother of three in Texas who has taken a part-time job just for the medical benefits.

That's right, full-time real estate agent Lisa DeWaal spends the first four hours of her days serving coffee at a Starbucks before heading to her office. DeWaal sought out employment with Starbucks solely for the affordable health insurance the company offers. Private insurance plans are burdensome for most households, and health experts say they've met plenty of people like DeWaal who are motivated to take or stick with a job because of the health benefits.

DeWaal begins her daily Starbucks shifts at 5 a.m, but those early mornings are worth it. The 20-hours a week at serving coffee allows her to rest easier at night because, for $180 a month, her family is insured. She commented, "Health insurance is exactly the reason why I have taken the extra job. It's company health insurance, which is a lot better than a private plan. I would put these extra hours into real estate if I had affordable health insurance."