Just out of curiosity! What do you coffee experts think of Starbucks coffee? Do you guys think Starbucks coffee beans are good? Thanks!!!

The search feature is your friend . . .

Typing "Starbucks" into the HB search engine, AND limiting the search only to the Coffee forum, returns 118 posts.

Typing "Charbucks" into the HB search engine, AND limiting the search only to the Coffee forum, returns 4 posts. (This surprises me.)

Bottom line: You won't find very many people here who would list Starbucks as one of their "Top 10" choices, either as a source for beans or as a source for beverages. (I'd probably be quite safe in saying "Top 25," but I'm trying to be polite).

Cheers,
Jason

skcubstar wrote:Just out of curiosity! What do you coffee experts think of Starbucks coffee? Do you guys think Starbucks coffee beans are good? Thanks!!!

I am puzzled why this question comes up from time-to-time. In any case, here's my reply from Opinions of Starbucks coffee two years ago:

I've tried Starbucks in their cafes and at home. When properly extracted, their espresso is a good base for "big gulp" lattes since the heavy roast notes cuts through lots of milk. Personally I don't care for the edge on their blends, even when it's softened by milk and sugar. One of my neighbors is a big Starbucks fan, so I made her some lattes using their coffee. She commented it was the best she's ever tasted; the "secret" isn't in the blend, but the difference in the quality of microfoam. As a straight espresso, I found it harsh.

Even though Starbucks' coffee isn't to my liking, I do credit them with popularizing espresso-based drinks in the US. That's the good news. The bad news is they've become the defacto standard. The thread Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz sees a threat to its brand elaborates on this point.

Don't need to be polite. I never thought Starbucks will top the chart, in fact I don't think any self-respect coffee connoisseur will touch their 'stuff'. Cheers

HB wrote:I am puzzled why this question comes up from time-to-time.

I may be over-generalizing, but even with Starbucks' decline in popularity, they remain "Number One" in the minds of many. With that in mind -- and keeping in mind that, for many people, it's easier to ask a question than search for previous threads -- I'm actually surprised the question doesn't come up more often!

For your information. Starbucks has never been number one in my mind and I didn't think anyone here who is a true coffee lover would think very highly of Starbucks coffee. I am simply starting a conversation, trying to find out what most people here think and a thread is only a comment given at a certain time. Whoever contributed to that thread might not have the same opinion now.

I'm curious. Do you think that someone who disliked Starbucks before will like it now?

Believe me, I am not trying to fight, argue, or otherwise stifle your participation on Home-Barista, but Dan is right: this question DOES come up periodically, and the answers have been consistent over the 4+ years I've been a participant here.

That said, notice that -- aside from one post from this site's founder -- you and I are the only participants in the thread. That is quite telling, don't you think?

zin1953 wrote:That said, notice that -- aside from one post from this site's founder -- you and I are the only participants in the thread. That is quite telling, don't you think?

Yes, it shows you're a glutton for punishment.

Guilty, your Honor, but now your post count in this thread has doubled!

skcubstar wrote:Just out of curiosity! What do you coffee experts think of Starbucks coffee? Do you guys think Starbucks coffee beans are good? Thanks!!!

Short answer - No. There is a reason ordering a straight espresso is an extremely rare event at a Starbucks, it just isn't that good. Their beans are definitely over-roasted and you can taste it in the cup. You need the milk to dilute the burnt taste. Additionally, the age/freshness of their beans has always been in question. Not too mention they brew with super-autos.

Would I go to a Starbucks in a mall if there was nothing else: yes; for a fast latte. Would I buy a bag of beans for my home preparation: no; for the reasons stated above.

Most folks who like Starbucks tend to favor dark roasted beans. For those individuals, I always suggest Peet's coffee; and sometimes Specialty Java. They can roast dark w/o the burn.