I am curious about Starbucks in the US compared to all of the other places that sell coffee in the US. It sounds like one should have a medical prescription to go there.

Kerouac, your are right. Starbucks in the US is commercial strength. If you are in the PNW, order a Stumptown instead - no prescription required. Rick Steves would approve!

Thanks for all the suggestions. A few more things:

For a stretch last summer I did drink hot brewed starbucks at my internship and it worked but then they switched to Pete's and it wasn't as effective. Other coffees have worked at first, but over a few days it seems they lose effectiveness, so I've stuck with Starbucks iced coffee whenever I can. Also, Starbucks in the UK doesn't have "iced coffee" so I have to tell them to fill it with ice and then pour in regular Pike's Place over it. It still works pretty well. I've used all types of milk and they each seem to work fine.

@sap - that is a very interesting breakdown and I've never thought about it like that. I do remember having a couple iced Americanos by accident year or two ago and not working too well, but maybe it's worth trying again. If you don't want to gross out the fodorites, I'd love if you could send me a message with more suggestions. You seem very knowledgeable and helpful with the topic. Thanks.

<i>Also, Starbucks in the UK doesn't have "iced coffee" </i>

Oh yes they do! See:- http://starbucks.co.uk/menu/drinks. Same for Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero (the other high street UK chains).

"I am curious about Starbucks in the US compared to all of the other places that sell coffee in the US. It sounds like one should have a medical prescription to go there."

It would take more than a prescription to get me in there....

....It would take more than a prescription to get me in there....

With me it would need a general anaesthetic.
I have only once asked for an americano in Italy. They brought me a large cup with an espresso at the bottom and a jug of hot water

Hi kbecker22,

I also have IBS, and I find the most natural and most effective treatment is ... prunes! Traditional remidies can be the best ones. You can buy prunes in practically any grocery store in Europe, so it's an easy fix as well.

s

I have a friend with IBS and she has this peculiar relationship with Starbucks. I don't question it.

I don't have IBS but I do have strong preferences for my one and only cup of morning brew. Since I often travel for work, I don't have time for a search-and-find mission in every new location. I learned long ago to travel with my own ground beans. If you grind them fresh just before departure and store them in zip-lock freezer bags (squeeze out excess air), the coffee stays remarkably fresh for a month or two.

I found a fabulous Melitta One-Cup Coffee Brewer in Tokyo many years ago. Mine is a clear, hard plastic (very durable) but they do have an American version: https://shop.melitta.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=64+007&Cat=. With the right beans and the right grind, this little tool makes an extremely delicious cup of coffee. I currently use my porcelain version, also from Tokyo (Kalita), with fresh beans from Blue Bottle Coffee. I love the smooth, rich flavor this brewing method provides. And for travel, all you need is hot water, and that is pretty easy to come by.

Your biggest challenge in Europe will be finding the ice. Not sure what to say about that effort, except, it'll probably be easier to rely on a Fleet for your morning do-do.

NYC is right. You will find it hard to get plenty of ice in your coffee in Italy.

This is a really amazing post! First I'll answer to OP, just ask for Un Americano, at least in the south they know what you want, some weak coffee. If you want ice, just ask for it, it is very popular in summer: you have your coffee and a glass with ice to pour.
Now, for the other thing, a coffee, a cigarette and sitting with the newspaper will make wonders for some...
My wife had that condition, and was cured after walking the pilgrimage to Compostela. Miracle? not at all: she ate every red berry she found on her way.

I am in souther Spain, I see you've posted in several countries.

as mentioned..no problem finding ice in spain

Starbucks sells instant iced coffee in packets. May I suggest trying this in advance of your trip to determine if it works for the IBS. Here is their description from their web site:

Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee by Starbucks Coffee

Size: Makes 5 - 16 fl. oz. beverages.

Real iced coffee in an instant – how cool is that? Pretty cool, actually. Because summer is no time to stop enjoying the bold, satisfying taste of Starbucks® coffee.

When the weather warms up, all it takes is a few seconds to brew up some refreshing Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee. Lightly sweetened with cane sugar and specially designed for mixing with cold water, each packet brews up a rich and tasty 16 fl. oz. of 100% natural roasted coffee. Serve over ice to add an extra bit of chill to your chill-out time.

Ingredients: Sugar, Instant and Microground Arabica Coffee

Historic Marker -- that is a GREAT idea. I'll have to try that. Thank you.

Fortunately I've never had IBS but I have had severe digestive problems at times, due to something I ate. The best and fastest instant cure is burnt toast. It has to be black. It tastes terrible. For a long term cure I suggest trying different types of yogurt.