Starbucks Passion

Christmas offerings - The ‘good’ and the ‘lacking’

Up until this point, all of my posts have focused on the ‘good’ aspects of Starbucks - the products, the service, the CSR initiatives and the community. However, to keep my blog authentic and believable, I need to highlight some of the aspects that I don’t find so ‘perfect’ about Starbucks; it’s not all about regurgitating corporate jargon. Therefore, this post will focus on a coffee offering that, I feel, lacks that certain perfection Starbucks is known for. Then, in true Starbucks Passion style, we’ll focus on a coffee that does the brand proud.

The lacking

I’ve always enjoyed specialty coffee season at Starbucks. Casi Cielo and Anniversary Blend mark some of my favourite times in the Starbucks calendar. But, during this Christmas season, I feel the seasonal bold pick – Christmas Blend – is lacking that certain charisma that makes it a memorable brew. Sure, the coffee’s flavour profile is decent but the overall body and richness is lacking.

I tried this year’s Starbucks Christmas Blend last week and sadly, couldn’t even finish the tall cup. Simply put, I disliked it. It lacked punch, weight and sweetness.

First, I smelled it and sure it smelled nice, but I couldn’t pick out its sweet, herbal undertones. It smelled like Sumatra without that spicy punch. Then, I slowly sipped it and swished it around my mouth. I tasted some spiciness and a very little bit of sweetness. Yet, it was not memorable. The flavour didn’t linger and a true sweetness was missing. Starbucks says the coffee has a spicy, herbal sweetness but really, I just tasted spice with a mild herbal finish. Where was the richness? Where was the sweetness? Where was the character?

It left me wanting more. Starbucks says this coffee should be paired with “the holiday’s richest desserts” but I guess that’s because it lacks the quality to be enjoyed alone. The richest, sweetest desserts are about the only things contributing sweetness to this pairing. I hate to say it, but this coffee is lacking.

But, it’s not all bad news for Starbucks’ whole bean Christmas selections.

The Good

After my disappointing experience with Christmas Blend, I decided to buy a bag of Christmas Blend Espresso Roast. I thought, as a truly passionate Starbucks enthusiast, I owe it to the brand to try the espresso selection.

Thank goodness I did.

All I can say is that Christmas Espresso Roast is good. Really good. While its Christmas Blend counterpart falls short of true individual quality, the espresso blend scores a win for Starbucks’ Christmas seasonal selections.

I took the snazzy, purple bag home and immediately poured it into my automatic espresso machine. At first, while pouring the beans into the machine, my nose was treated to a fiesta of rich sweetness. I knew this would be a good brew. Then, I pulled two shots and took a hearty sip. Within a split second I tasted a crisp sweetness; a very delightful and much welcomed initial impression. Then, as I let it sit in my mouth, I felt its weight and body. It was crisp but still had the body to coat my tongue. After swallowing, its dense taste and bold body lingered. I was instantly hooked. This is what Starbucks Christmas is all about.

This espresso roast gave me a magical experience. It is quickly becoming one of my favourite whole bean offerings. I can drink it in the morning, the afternoon and especially after dinner. It’s dense but still refreshing and its sweetness makes the red-bagged Christmas Blend taste like office-brewed coffee.

Starbucks says this coffee should be enjoyed with gingerbread but I’ll take it on its own. It’s good enough to drink all by itself. It needs no introduction and or complement. It’s perfect as is.

I hope Starbucks offers this espresso blend as a weekly bold pick at some point this season. It truly embodies ‘the good’.

I’m not the only one who feels this way about the 2 whole bean Christmas coffees. Here are some insights from some other Starbucks partners and enthusiasts (via twitter):

@Bradkovach: I had some Christmas Via this afternoon. I dislike Christmas Blend, and VIA is similarly dislikeable.

 @Bradkovach: Christmas Espr. is surprisingly tame! Low in acid and body=great iced coffee!

 @Wongster 360: Christmas Blend Espresso gets a big thumbs up from me and every partner I have tasted it with! :D

 @WOnet: The Espresso Roast Christmas Blend is AWESOME! Extremely smoooooth… Fantastic drip, press, and shots.

 @Cstockett05: I thought it (espresso blend) smelled unlike xmas. But I really found it delicious with a brownie! Tastes a lot better than it smells.

 @Cstockett05: Xmas blend and Xmas espresso perfect with peppermint brownie, really amazing!!

 As always, I welcome YOUR review and opinions on both these seasonal offerings.