Starbucks Pike Place Roast – Update
We’ve been receiving a fair amount of feedback that customers are frustrated tying to find a bold, strong brew at Starbucks since the introduction of the milder Pike Place Roast as the everyday coffee. We wrote about the introduction of Pike Place Roast last month.
My expectation when Starbucks first announced Pike Place Roast was that the classic bold, strong brew that customers have identified with Starbucks for years would still be available. Pike Place Roast seemed like a reasonable addition to the everyday drip offering. A milder coffee that would appeal to a segment of the market looking for something with a little less edge. And the strong, bold offering would remain available for the millions of loyal Starbucks customers that would like to see that continue.
We’ve been receiving consistent feedback at the Gourmet Coffee Zone that customers are having a hard time finding Starbucks stores that still serve the stronger coffee. So I visited a Starbucks today to check it out. Sure enough, it’s pretty much only Pike Place Roast. This is a mistake and will drive away loyal Starbucks customers looking for the strong daily coffee fix to which they’ve been accustomed.
Admittedly, the store we visited here in Southern California was certainly busy enough. Business didn’t seem to be suffering with the Pike Place Roast front and center. However, as is usually the case, most of the customers were walking out the door with the standard coffee milk shake fare.
We did noticed the “French Press” option, something we haven’t tried yet at Starbucks. On the menu, below the Pike Place Roast was something called “Share a Coffee” (or something similar). Your choice of any of the Starbucks whole bean coffees prepared in a French press for $3.50.
The coffee press is a Bodum 8-cup model designed for Starbucks, I believe the same model sold in the stores. So roughly two “talls” or about 24 ounces worth of coffee prepared fresh for you while you wait.
It must not be a commonly ordered item. The girl taking care of us seemed a bit flustered, and we had to point to the description on the menu behind her. And when we asked which whole bean coffees we could choose from, she explained “only the French Roast and the Italian Roast”. And I’m reminded I’m in a Starbucks. OK, let’s give it a shot, and we ordered the “French Roast”.
The “French press” takes about 5 minutes to prepare. I noticed they used a timer, which is probably a good idea. In the busy store, with the line practically out the door, it would be easy to lose track of the brewing time with the coffee press. As we watched from our table, the timer went off, and she rushed over to push the plunger. We stepped up to the counter and she handed us the French press along with two nice big ceramic coffee mugs.
We poured our own cups at the table. Unfortunately, it was downhill from there. The aroma in the cup was flat, with the Starbucks burnt roast mostly prominent. The brew was just a tad over-extracted, so it was pushing a little too much bitterness.
It was a nice touch, and could work if done right. We might have enjoyed the Guatemala Antiqua, Sulawesi or Sumatra prepared in the press if the beans were available. As mentioned, the menu did indicate “any of the whole bean coffees”. And I think the stores generally honor this policy.
If you’re not in a hurry, and have the time to wait for a French press preparation, this might be an option if you’re looking for that stronger brew at Starbucks.
But the days of the quick and convenient strong and bold daily drip appear to be gone!
Posted in Coffee Banter, Starbucks | 17 Comments
May 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Thanks for information about Starbucks Store…
May 27th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Starbucks Pike Place Roast – Update…
[Source: Gourmet Coffee Zone – Daily Blog] quoted: We’ve been receiving a fair amount of feedback that customers are frustrated tying to find a bold, strong brew at Starbucks since the introduction of the milder Pike Place Roast as the everyday co…
May 27th, 2008 at 6:25 am
I flipped for the Pike Place Blend from the start. I typically brewed Verona as a bold option. French pressing is a good choice to punch up the boldness. The prep makes the drinking more enjoyable. Also try Kenya (bold).
May 28th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Thanks for the update. Coincidentally, it is the unavailability of my three favorite blends – Sumatra, Sulawesi and Guatemala Antigua – that makes me most sad. I guess our tastes are very similar.
July 18th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Since you keep up with Starbucks, I’m curious if they are as aware of their fair trade blend as their french press and how often they brew it?
July 25th, 2008 at 7:41 am
French roast is one of the darkest (if not the darkest) roast they offer. Next time do Italian.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Thanks for the info.
I think it’s grreat that Starbucks offers french press coffee! In my opinion it’s the only way to really enjoy coffee’s character. I started french pressing all my coffee after reading about it here http://www.coffee-illuminated.com/french-press.html
I think if they are going to offer it though- their employees should be very familiar with it. It is beyond me how you can call Starbucks employees a Barista when they don’t even really know what a macchiato is.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Hate Pikes Place and I know a lot of SB employees who say they are getting a lot of complaints but can’t do anything about it. We started a new facebook group called ‘I HATE Pikes Place Coffee’….check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35556619310
November 26th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Hi Martine,
Yes, Pike Place Roast disfavor appears pretty conclusive at this point, almost 8 months since Starbucks introduced the new everyday brew last April.
Even if it’s not an absolute landslide majority, it sure has tweaked a significant number of Starbucks customers.
And interesting that Starbucks employees are chiming in as well.
Thanks for sharing,
Mark
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
I own a coffee roastery and I think Starbucks coffee is great they have alot of variety and they are reasonably priced
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November 17th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Look. Starbuck’s is growing kind of lackluster as far as their products and customer service. With them not providing a better coffee blend to customers, they are cheapening the experience that many have come to enjoy. But, I will agree that changing things up and going with a different roast and using a french press is going to give you a better experience overall, if you grind the beans yourself. But, it also seems that the talent they employ could do a better job orienting themselves with Starbuck’s products.