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Barbara -- selling tea and making a good cup of tea is not the same thing. I've been in Starbucks -- they do make a great hot chocolate.
I should specify that I am talking about tea, just regular, caffeinated, add milk (and only whole milk!) tea. No flavoring, no herbs, just good strong tea. ((c)) |
Tries2PakLite, I really wasn't referring to something you said, but to Caroline who said she'd never been in Starbuck's because she doesn't drink coffee.
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Barbara -- sorry if that sounded snippy. I tend to take my tea seriously, although I'm not technically a purist. I do use tea bags. I'm so ashamed. :-[
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Starbucks is evidently a smart company (and bless them for providing proper bennies for their employees, both part- and full-time). I suspect the only reason they sell drinks to go is because people want to drink their hot bevvy of choice that way. And wasn't Dunkin Donuts using that business model all over the US long before Starbucks moved outside Seattle?
Thanks for the explanation of how to use a cafetiere. Maybe because we like our coffee HOT, and more than one cup, I never quite got why they seem to be the brewing method of choice in England! There doesn't seem to be a good way to keep the cafetiere warm for a second cup... |
Hot coffee or tea in take-away cups has been around Britain since the cups were invented.
Many was the day in Scotland (where Elizabeth I is the reigning monarch, BTW) when I and virtually all my travelling pals on the 7:35 Haymarket-Queen Street had cups in our possession of <i>really awful</i> "coffee" or tea from one of the nearby corner shops (so that we'd be ready for the BR excuse of the day, my fave being "British Rail apologise for the late arrival of your train. This was due to its running behind schedule." @-) ) This was when Starbucks was still one shop in the Pike Place Market and its logo mermaid was still anatomically correct. (She still is, but only at that shop.) But they do sell a lot of tea too, and some of it is not bad, actually. I should know - my university flatmate was the founder first of Stash Tea (original supplier for Starbucks) and then Tazo (current supplier.) |
Gardyloo, I'm with you re Elizabeth 1!!
Starbucks has some lovely iced drinks too, which are very popular here in the warmer parts of the world! If only they didn't come with calories...... |
You can get insulated cafetieres
Have a look at http://tinyurl.com/fx7g3 BTW, if you go to http://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk/ and click on "A cuppa from us" you can get 10 free teabags, either for hard or soft water. They reckon that they can tell by your postcode what sort of water you have. I'm afraid that it's for the UK only |
I think I'll stick with my Mr. Coffee and (blushing) Starbucks.
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What...no mention by Californians regarding our ubiquitous Cofee Bean and Tea Leaf!! Far better than Starbucks at every turn!
Stu T., L.A. |
Yeah...and it does spell coffee with two "f's"..even if I didn't...
Stu T. |
Stu, I don't think I've seen them in San Diego. Maybe it's an(other!) LA thing.
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Hey Barbara..you're in luck..try one out...
Mission Valley Mall 1640 Camino Del Rio North, Space FC13 San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 688-9777 M-Sat 8:30a-9:00p, Sun 8:30a-7:00p Mission Hills 120 W. Washington, Suite B San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 574-7588 M-F 5a-8p, Sat 6a-9p, Sun 7a-8p Mission Valley 925 C Camino De La Reina San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 299-5072 M-Th 5a-10p, F 5a-11p, Sat 6a-11p Carmel Mountain 12070 Carmel Mountain Rd., Ste 296 San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 592-7348 Mon-Th: 6a-9:30p, Fri-Sat: 6a-10p, Sun: 7a-9p Mira Mesa 9015-B Mira Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 695-0901 M-Th 5:30a-8:30p, F 5:30a-9:30p, Sat 6a-10p, Sun 6:30a-9p Kearney Mesa (drive-thru) 9343 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 505-9909 M-Sat 6a-9p, Sun 7a-8p Carmel Country Rd. & Del Mar Heights 12730 Carmel Country Rd San Diego, CA 92130 858.350.9673 M-Su 5:30a - 9p Also one at Broadway and Fourth, I believe.. Stu T. |
Gardyloo, I come very very late to the tea game, and alternate between Stash and Tazo. Your flatmate has done well, hasn't s/he?
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Stu, wow! I'll look for the Carmel Mountain one tomorrow. Thanks for the list.
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"British Rail apologise for the late arrival of your train. This was due to its running behind schedule."
Gardyloo, this spring spouse and I sat in the Lisbon airport and listened as one by one, airlines (including our own British Airways flight) apologized for delayed departure times, which were explained as being due to "the delay in the arrival of the incoming plane." We got a great chuckle when, come boarding time at last, we were able to confirm our suspicions: that the aforesaid 'incoming plane' was the same one on which we were going to depart, and to all appearances with the same crew.... (Sorry for detour. We return now to our regularly scheduled programming: "Afternoon tea...." |
Well, at least you got at an excuse, however lame. When the trains from Maidenhead are late, the canned announcement is always. "We apologise for the late arrival." And that's it. Equipment failure? Leaves on track? Train disrupting fight between the ASBOs? 300 pound drunk falling down unconscious and keeping the pax doors from closing for several minutes? (my husband witnessed that one on a ride from Paddington) Who knows? They ain't sayin nuthin' about nobody.
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Well that's something. I'm getting fed up with all the announcements on the tube: we never used to need to be told to use all the doors, move down the train, carry water, let alone that a good service is operating (what else do they think they're paid for?). It seems to be never-ending now, and at busy stations, with attendants on the platforms, you can sometimes have them talking to you on the platform loudspeakers and the station-wide system relaying the usual routine stuff, often intercut with the station supervisor shoving in their two-pennoth. I'm thinking of starting a Society for the Halting of Unnecessary Transport Undertaking Pronouncements (or SHUTUP - geddit?).
No wonder I need a cup of tea when I get where I'm going. |
Anybody remember the tune for this little ditty?
I like a nice cup of tea in the morning For to start the day you see And at half-past eleven Well my idea of Heaven is a nice cup of tea I like a nice cup of tea with my dinner And a nice cup of tea with my tea And when it's time for bed There's alot to be said For a nice cup of tea A.P. Herbert, Home & Beauty |
Mm, I remember it being used in a TV advert - by the Tea Council, maybe ? around the 70s ? Followed by a voice saying "Gow orn ! 'ave a cappa tea !" (attempt to portray cockney accent - I think it was)
Must have been around the same time they had an ad featuring a young groovy group being asked if they wanted coffee in a posh ?French restaurant, all deciding they'd "love a cup of tea !", waiter snootily says "Tea ? Non !", blokey says "right, all back to mine then !" They don't make them like that any more ! |
From the 1930s - for those who remember Jack Buchanan:
Every nation in creation has its favourite drink France is famous for its wine, it's beer in Germany Turkey has its coffee and they serve it blacker than ink Russians go for vodka and England loves its tea Oh, the factories may be roaring With a boom-a-lacka, zoom-a-lacka, wee But there isn't any roar when the clock strikes four Everything stops for tea Oh, a lawyer in the courtroom In the middle of an alimony plea Has to stop and help 'em pour when the clock strikes four Everything stops for tea It's a very good English custom Though the weather be cold or hot When you need a little pick-up, you'll find a little tea cup Will always hit the spot You remember Cleopatra Had a date to meet Mark Anthony at three When he came an hour late she said "You'll have to wait" For everything stops for tea Oh, they may be playing football And the crowd is yelling "Kill the referee!" But no matter what the score, when the clock strikes four Everything stops for tea Oh, the golfer may be golfing And is just about to make a hole-in-three But it always gets them sore when the clock yells "four!" Everything stops for tea It's a very good English custom And a stimulant for the brain When you feel a little weary, a cup'll make you cheery And it's cheaper than champagne Now I know just why Franz Schubert Didn't finish his unfinished symphony He might have written more but the clock struck four And everything stops for tea |
For proper tea, I managed to wean my English girlfriend from her PG Tips and switched her to (American Blender) Harney & Son's loose leaf teas. Now "Eight at the Fort" is served for tea time at our house.
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Great tea at tea shops - popping up all over the US.
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Does anyone remember travelling British Rail in the 50s ? When the puffa train stopped you could hop off into the station buffet, grab a cuppa and take it back on the train, that is if the train was still there. This tea was always in thick white cups which were ubiquitous the length and breadth of the UK rail network. I often used to wonder where all the cups ended up. ((C))
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ditto, Starrsville. The Old Windsor tea shop in Mt. Dora, FL, is a lot of fun and run by a family from Essex (they bought it from the previous owners late last year). Pictures of royals all over the place--except Camilla, she's hidden in the kitchen--apparently still too controversial.
And, of course, the afternoon tea at the Four Seasons in Philly. Elegant and serene. |
Yes PatrickLondon, I too get really fed up of being told what to do by London Underground. It's as if no-one has any common sense any more :-S
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A lot of people don't have common sense any more because their brains got flabby from governments & companies forced into warning people not to use electrical appliances near water, coffee is hot so don't spill it on yourself, etc., etc.
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I personally think Starbucks coffee is pretty decent. However, we were introduced to French press coffee about 10 years ago by our California friend who sent us a Bodum press. We have several good coffee bean roasters in town so always buy fresh whole beans. We have a "cozy" wrap for the Bodum to keep it warm longer, but found a great insulated French press coffee pot by Nissan that works like a charm and keeps the coffee warm for several hours. You can find it on line.
We use a Braun burr grinder that allows you to change the grind for the type of coffeemaker used. For French press, we use the highest number setting, to get the beans ground fine, so more flavor is extracted. For a drip coffeemaker, we grind at a lower setting. For the best coffee or tea flavor extraction, I've heard that one heats the water to just before boiling. For both the French press and the tea (loose or bag,) let the water steep over the ground coffee or tea leaves for 3-5 minutes, no more, or the final product will be bitter. I like my tea with milk and sugar, not with cream. No artificial sweeteners in the tea, since they lose flavor within about 10 minutes. I like coffee strong and black. |
After experiencing a tea ceremony in Japan, I realized how uncivilized British tea really is.
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Barbara - I remember that ditty from some time in the 60's - unsure if it was on the radio or if my mum used to sing it.
gertie3751 - I remember those thick white cups that you got a cup of tea in from the 50's at the railway station. Any one else use a tea cozy? I usually pick them up when I am back in the UK. shorebrau - hadn't thought about getting a cozy for our French Press but it makes perfect sense. Interesting thread. Sandy |
I've got nothing in particular against Starbucks' coffee and in fact I was glad to find the occasional outlet in China, where a coffee of any description is hard to come by. We'll probably use them when we next visit the US too, where otherwise it can be hard to find a decent coffee in many places.
What I object to is their serviceless assembly-line process, a la McDonalds, complete with throwaway plastic everything, which they manage to combine with high prices. I can go to any of hundreds of cafes in my small city and receive mostly friendly and efficient table service and good coffee with real china cups and saucers. They all know the meaning of macchiato, even if most can't pronounce 'bruschetta'. They're fully owned by local businessmen/women, and most charge less. No contest. |
Neil Oz:
You're being unfair. I had the pleasure of sitting through a presentation the other day from a Starbucks Corporate Social Responsibility spokeswoman (whom they'd clearly recruited from a Stepford Wives casting session). She took immense pride in their most revolutionary new idea: they've recently begun to introduce a cup of which a staggering 10% is recycled. So, in some outlets, the bottom tenth of your cup isn't throw away. Doesn't that make you feel better about the planet? |
"Any one else use a tea cozy? I usually pick them up when I am back in the UK."
I use one daily. The funniest tea accessory I found on my last London trip is a Ladybug tea drip catcher. Looks like a ladybug & you put it on the spout of the teapot so you don't dribble tea on the tablecloth. Not a coffee drinker at all but I heard that Starbuck's gladly gives their coffee grounds to gardeners who ask for them for their compost heaps. |
flanneruk/Neil
No question that forestry use shouldn't exceed the ability of forests to renew themselves. However, forests can, at least at a finite rate, renew themselves, which is not the case for the fuel used to generate power in many countries. I've never done the math, but the capital energy costs of producing 100 paper cups, compared to the capital energy cost of producing a china cup with 100 uses - plus the operational energy cost of washing same, needs to be fairly done before conclusions are jumped to here. But let's suppose that the forestry industry is completely evil (very convenient for residents of the UK, which for all intents and purposes doesn't have one) and industries related to computer use, including finance, law, administration, etc. is completely benign, environmentally speaking. (Again, folks in areas where these industries predominate can feel smug, or like to feel they can.) Now let's consider that the rate of people wanting cups of coffee per hour is x: the occupancy rate of seats available per hour in the coffee shop is y. Cost of real estate in London, New York, or most other cities burgeoning in size makes those seats pretty pricey, such that to make y = x would mean increasing the cost of that cup of coffee considerably higher than it is now. So, providing takeout cups increases the amount of virtual coffee shop space, at a cost likely less than the cost of increasing that space using real estate (not to mention that shops must be heated and lit, which also uses energy. Whereas office space, to which those takeout cups are frequently taken, is already being heated and lit.) This problem has to be addressed, if one wants to get rid of takeout cups entirely. So far, the great unwashed masses in both UK and NA seem to be voting with their feet, and their cash. Not to mention that coffee isn't locally grown, as I've already pointed out. That incurs a huge energy imbalance right off the top (although I don't expect the countries whose economy depends heavily on coffee and tea exports to exactly start jumping up and down horrified at this news.) |
Sue:
I more or less agree. And to be honest I've yet to find anyone produce a truly convincing calculus on any of this sustainability stuff. Does it use more energy to bring a piece of beef to a British table from Southern Africa than from Scotland? Probably. Does the process of beef production in Southern Africa use less non-renewable energy than the same process in Scotland? Most certainly. What's the net? No-one ever tries to do the sum. Whatever the net, do the jobs created in Southern Africa matter more than in northern Europe? Absolutely certainly. Can the lives wasted by poverty in Southern Africa if we don't have a bias to creating jobs there ever be recreated? Certainly not. In the case of recycling paper, I've yet to see any evidence all that toing and froing to recycle wood makes any net sense, except to make local authorities feel virtuous. However, Starbucks don't agree with my (and I suspect your) honest intellectual doubt. They claimed in the Stepford Wives presentation they were committed to recyclable cups. They're just far from straightforward in explaining why, if it matters that much, they're doing so little about it |
We're pretty enthusiastic about recycling in California. Part of the reason is that it means we're putting a lot less stuff into landfills.
They won't get rid of takeout cups simply because most people who buy drinks at Starbucks want to take their drink with them. Starbucks used to have large mugs for people who did sit in to drink their coffee, but now have only paper cups. |
<<Starbucks used to have large mugs for people who did sit in to drink their coffee, but now have only paper cups.<<
<b>WHY</b> would they discontinue this perfectly sensible practice? |
>WHY would they discontinue this perfectly sensible practice?<
Washing up. |
Some places allow people to buy a proprietary mug and then just bring it daily to be filled up. That's a good compromise; no "disposable" cups, and the patron does the washing up.
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Years ago our local coffe shop had mugs for all their regulars. Our names were on them. We had our coffee every morning in our own mug, the restaurant washed them and hung them back up on the pegs. So sensible. I haven't seen that anywhere for quite awhile. I hate coffee in a paper cup and personally I do not like the coffee at Starbucks. The one time I ordered an espresso I couldn't even drink it..nasty tasting lol.
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