Starbucks is taking National Coffee Day as an opportunity to unveil its new instant coffee called “Via Ready Brew”.  The product comes in cute packages (similar to Crystal Lite On the Go) and is a perfect to discreetly place in a purse or briefcase.  Starbucks says it took 20 years to come up with the perfect instant brew.  Though revolutionary, Taster’s Choice and General Food International already have a delicious line of instant coffee available in single serving packages.   Next year, Via will also be available in grocery stores. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz expressed, “Based on the success we’ve had, we feel strongly that we’re sitting on a very big opportunity. What’s going to sell Via at the end of the day is that (it) delivers in the cup. Most people will not be able to tell the difference.”

I don’t really get it. As far as the environment goes, the independent shop is comfy and homey with plush couches, free Wi-Fi, and coffee tables that give the impression that customers are just relaxing in their own homes. On the other hand, our Starbucks is relatively small, and though they have a small seating area, it has a more “restaurant” feel.

And the coffee? I consider myself a coffee connoisseur, and the coffee at the independent shop is equally as good. Starbucks does stay open longer, and therefore, it’s more convenient for coffee addicts like myself, who don’t require coffee only in the early morning hours. However, what is it that makes Starbucks the “go to” coffee place, crushing the hopes and dreams of independent shop owners in small towns like mine?

Yesterday, they started offering the following drinks: Dark Roast Coffee Jelly Frappuccino, Caramel Dark Roast Coffee Jelly Frappuccino and Iced Vanilla Dark Roast Coffee Jelly Latte. Together with these new drinks, they also included the following food products in their menu: Spanish Sausage and Egg Wrap, Farmhouse Cheese Quiche, Chicken Parmesan on Turkish Pide, Chocolate Marshmallow Cake and Very Berry Cheesecake.

I was able to try out the Dark Roast Coffee Jelly Frappucino yesterday and boy, was it heaven. The jelly was interestingly smooth, mixing it with my favorite coffee frap. I’m still yet to try the two other drinks and the new food offerings, as well. Being the dessert lover that I am, I’ll probably try the Chocolate Marshmallow Cake and Very Berry Cheesecake.

Ahhh.. just talking about it makes me hungry and craving for coffee. If you’re Filipino, go to your nearest Starbucks and give it a try.

On the one hand, it’s flattering that he or she actually remembers your name, your usual order, and even correctly associated it with your face. On the other, it’s a bit presumptuous. What makes him or her think that you don’t have enough sense of adventure to try out something new right now? Do you look like the kind of person who can’t help but stick to his boring old routine? Non-fat? Aren’t you looking more fit today, so that you deserve a calorie-laden frappuccino with double servings of whipped cream?

Next situation. You’re in the mood for a quiet, relaxing day. What could be a better setting than your neighborhood cafe, with that steady buzz of coffee brewing, the subdued chatter that blends into white noise, and the soft jazzy music playing in the background? You settle into a comfy chair, open your chosen feel-good book or magazine, and then suddenly, that familiar voice again asks you, “Hey (name)! How are you doing?” You smile politely and say you’re fine, thank you very much. You’re about to go back to your book when it cuts in again. “Oh, you’re not working today? Are you on leave?” Again, it’s flattering that he or she remembers you, and some things about your life which you probably shared bit by bit through your frequent visits. But isn’t it obvious that you just want to enjoy some quiet alone time? And, it’s not like you’re old buddies.

Do baristas annoy you?

One of my favorite desserts from this coffee shop is their Banoffee Pie. It’s served in a small, thin aluminum container, like a baby pie pan. And this little container is full of delicious banoffee goodness. Sliced bananas, cream, toffee, and crust – it’s comfort in a little pan.

Another dessert that I like is their honey-glazed donut. Fine, it’s not technically a dessert, but it’s a treat to my sweet tooth. It’s soft and not too sweet. It’s just right – and so is its price. I think it’s the cheapest item in their display counter.

My friends also like their Mango Madness and Oreo Cheesecake.

If you suddenly find yourself craving for something sweet with your cup of coffee, proceed to your nearest Starbucks.

Today April 21^st, Dunkin Doughnuts is offering any small iced coffee for 50 cents. On top of that, Dunkin Doughnuts is donating 10 percent of the iced coffee proceeds to Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization that builds modified houses for wounded veterans.

Along with their philanthropy work, Dunkin Doughnuts has also thwarted themselves into the new technological world with Twitter and Facebook pages. The company can also be found on You Tube and has a Flickr group. While online at dunkindonuts.com, one can buy merchandise, coffee equipment and gifts. There are also contests and promos available such as the opportunity to win two pounds of coffee delivered to your home for a whole year! What could be better than that?

Behind the franchise glitz and glam which is Dunkin Donuts sits some great coffee. In many taste tests Dunkin Donuts brand coffee has out tasted heavy-hitters such as Starbucks and Mc Donalds. If you are too busy to pick up a cup of Joe yourself, go online to dunkindonuts.com and start receiving regularly scheduled deliveries of delicious Dunkin’ Donuts coffee beans to your home. Or if you are stuck at the office have Coffee and other refreshment essentials delivered directly to your breakroom by a certified refreshment specialist, who will restock and refresh your breakroom based on your needs.

Woyton’s
* Breite Straße 80–90, im Einkaufszentrum DuMont-Carré, 50667 Köln, Germany * +49 221 2708680 * www.woyton.de/koeln.html
A cafe that is the German’s equivalent of “Starbucks”. Nice atmosphere and artsy decorated, obviously community hangout establishment. The prices are about half the cost that you would find in a Starbucks. However, the chai tea, was so watered down it just tasted like bad water. Was not impressed. I think I’ll stick to Starbucks since I’m a chai drinker. Rating: 2 stars out of 5.

8 ) Caramel Apple Crack at Starbucks.

I don’t know if the Starbucks in China has this, because I was too busy slurping up all the real-bean coffee and then getting the jitters. I don’t know what’s in it, either. I asked Stick and he thinks maybe it’s sunshine and rainbows and highly addictive chemicals.

Note: This is not a paid advertisement, but if Starbucks would pay me I would totally advertise the Apple Crack. In fact, I’d even call it by its proper name.

What do you think?

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