Starbucks Passion

Canada’s Clover stores

I didn’t really know much about the whole Clover brewing process, let alone the fact that there are only 2 specialty Clover stores in Canada. But, after a quick discussion with my friend and fellow Starbucks enthusiast Melody (@sbuxmel), I learned exactly what a Starbucks Clover store is all about. Click here to see some of Mel’s best posts on the Clover.

Starbucks was already brewing coffee well. Their presses and espresso machines were bringing forth the deepest, truest flavours in their beans. But then in 2007, they developed a new brewing process that truly adds layers of flavour and body to their coffees. They called this new machine the Clover.

I won’t get into the mechanics of the Clover, but I will say that it makes each cup of coffee to order and controls the temperature and timing of each cup so that the flavour is as true and deep as possible. Essentially, it’s like an upside-down French press. Seems simple enough, yet the flavour is nothing but; it produces the most complex cup of coffee you’ve ever had.

With all this being said, I should highlight the point that I never thought I’d get the privilege to visit a Clover store or try a Reserve bean, brewed in a Clover. Why is that you ask? Well, simply put, there are only 2 Clover stores in all of Canada. I knew there was one in Vancouver and one in Toronto. Being from Toronto means I may have had the opportunity to visit the one here, but there are literally a hundred stores in Toronto; what would be the chances of stumbling into the one Clover store?…

Just my luck…

Early last month (November 8^th) I had to travel to Vancouver for work. I had never been but heard that it’s one of the most beautiful places in Canada… and the world. So here I was in Vancouver, feeling my way around and visiting some of the most interesting coffee shops in Western Canada. And for the record, Vancouver is incredible. Then, on one fateful night, I stumbled into a Clover store! It was located at 1099 Robson St.  

I stood at the counter and everything seemed normal. It was your typical Starbucks with welcoming partners and eager caffeine enthusiasts. But before I ordered my standard grande Americano, I looked over at the barista bar and noticed something different. Could it be? Was that a shiny, state-of-the-art Clover machine?! Yes, it was.  

Obviously, having an opportunity like this would only come once in a lifetime. So, I ditched the Americano and ordered one of the Reserve coffees from the menu board - Nicaragua Corcasan. As I waited for the coffee to brew, I examined the Clover. I was in awe. What an incredible machine. The coffee filled the cup and I rushed to a table to try it out.

I was blown away by this cup of coffee. It had a medium intensity but the flavour was incredible. I tasted sweet sugar and chocolate with a citrusy, herbal finish. I could write a thousand words on this coffee, but I’ll save that for a future post.

Suffice to say, I was lucky to stumble into that store and try that coffee. I would never forget that experience.

I left Vancouver and headed back to Toronto the next morning. Sure, work went well but this experience was truly unforgettable.

Then, later that month (November 30^th), I had a meeting at our PR agency’s office in upper-downtown Toronto (Yorkville). I showed up early so I could run into a nearby Starbucks and grab some meeting fuel, or coffee.

So I walked into a really nice Starbucks store at Yonge and Bloor - 765 Yonge Street. I walked up to the bar and before ordering an Americano, I noticed a Reserve coffee menu board. No, could it be? Yes! I found another Starbucks Clover store. 2 for 2 in a month.

I never thought I’d visit one Starbucks Clover store in Canada, let alone 2… and in the same month! What a treat to say the least.

I’m rambling a bit now, but let’s just say I ordered a cup of Aged Sulawesi Kalosi. Again, I was blown away. I actually liked this one better than the Nicaragua Corcasan I had in Vancouver. I won’t give anything away now, you’ll just have to wait for a future post on this coffee and other Reserve coffees.

Best month ever? Yes.

If you’ve ever been to a Clover store, tell me about it… the floor is yours!