Starbucks Passion
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Showing posts tagged Starbucks Melody
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Starbucks’ new allergy friendly food and beverage choices
Starbucks has always been known for using the best and freshest ingredients in all their food and beverage offerings. They label their products and ingredients properly, allowing people with food allergies and/or intolerances understand what is in each product. Being lactose intolerant and having a mild intolerance to gluten, I’m always looking for new treats and drinks that accommodate my dietary needs. I’ve always wanted to eat the cookies and drink the Frappuccinos but haven’t had the chance because of my intolerances and allergies. That has since changed.
Recently Starbucks has added two new products that are not only delicious, but are also allergy friendly; Lucy’s cookies and the new however-you-want-it Frappuccinos.
Lucy’s Cookies
One of the best Starbucks bloggers, Starbucks Melody (starbucksmelody.com) wrote an exceptional blog post on the new cookies being offered at Starbucks. Melody examined Lucy’s cookies and provided an analysis of these tasty treats. It was only after reading her post on Lucy’s cookies, Once Again Exploring the Snack Aisle: Lucy’s Cinnamon Thin cookies, that I decided to try these crunchy treats. Thanks Mel!
I thought it was too good to be true that these cookies are lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free and yet, still delicious. But it’s true! These treats are allergy friendly and delicious. And for someone like me, this is a good thing.
Lucy’s cookies come in the following flavours: sugar, cinnamon, oatmeal and chocolate chip. And yes, they are all equally delicious, dunkable (due to their crunchiness) and allergy friendly.
It seems that nowadays people and companies are recognizing gluten allergies and lactose intolerances. Food companies looking to ‘get ahead’ are now trying to offer a wide variety of products that accommodate such dietary needs. And with the introduction of Lucy’s cookies, Starbucks is staying ahead of the curve. They recognized the need for allergy friendly products and have allowed people like me the opportunity to enjoy tasty products that meet all dietary restrictions. They have adapted well and allowed people, who in the past could only enjoy a few products, the chance to try several more allergy friendly foods.
However-you-want-it Frappuccino
In the past, the old Frappuccinos were pre-made and the only specification you could make was the flavour. You could choose Java Chip, Caramel, Coffee, etc. but you couldn’t choose the milk because the Frappuccinos were already pre-blended. These Frappuccinos were delicious but definitely not allergy friendly. (I could only have a quick sip before feeling nauseous.)
But recently, Starbucks has changed the entire Frappuccino model. Now, you can have this delicious, cold blended drink however-you-want-it. You can choose your milk (lactose free, soy, skim, etc.) You can add coffee shots, add toppings and/or reduce the calories. Simply put, this new Frappuccino can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of allergies and intolerances.
Starbucks has answered the concerns facing their old Frappuccino model. People wanted a healthier beverage (less calories), people wanted more toppings, stronger coffee flavour and a customizable milk option. The new however-you-want-it Frappuccino fulfills all these requests.
By providing more options in their Frappuccino products, all customers can now enjoy a cold blended beverage. Moreover, this new Frappuccino model strengthens the entire Starbucks brand because it shows that Starbucks has all its customers’ preferences, intolerance and allergies in mind.
Both these new products continue to move the company forward; reiterating the fact that “Starbucks is in the people business serving coffee, rather than the coffee business serving people” (Howard Schultz at the 2010 Annual Shareholders Meeting).
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Passion Profile: Starbucks Melody
I started this blog to convey my passion for Starbucks. However, I’m certainly not the only one with a deep passion for this great company. My inspiration and the person who I can give much praise to, with regards to Starbucks blogging, is Melody, but you probably know her as Starbucks Melody.
Simply put, she is the embodiment of Starbucks Passion. She writes at least two blog posts a week about Starbucks and each are unique, informative and extremely entertaining. If you haven’t read her blog posts, then you’re missing out. I strongly suggest you check out her blog and subscribe, via email updates or RSS feeds, to her impressive blog – StarbucksMelody.com. You should follow her on twitter as well, if you aren’t already - @sbuxmel.
With that being said, this post is a personal profile of this great Starbucks advocate and fan. I caught up with Mel and asked her a few questions. Each question and answer is meant to convey her passion for Starbucks and give you an inside look into what fuels her dedication to blogging and the Starbucks brand.
If you have any other questions, for Mel or myself, just ask them! Your comments are always much appreciated.
Let’s get started:
1. Me - What is your favourite Starbucks drink?
Mel - I honestly keep changing what I drink. “Variety is the spice of life” describes my Starbucks drinking habits. Right now I am hooked on black tea with orange mango juice, but I love the Chai lattes, and I drink a lot of coffee from the Clover, or drip-brewed coffee.
2. Me - What is your favourite Starbucks store? why?
Mel - Each Starbucks store has its own personality. It’s hard to compare. There are a few downtown Seattle stores that really shine. I love the Columbia Center Starbucks (store 101). The partners are amazing and never get tired about hearing my blog. They are amazing. That store is located close to the court system so they see a lot of me. Other great stores include 1912 Pike Place, the 1st & Pike Store, and although I rarely get to this store: 4th & Seneca impresses me.
3. Me - Why did you start the Starbucks Melody blog?
Mel - I had a number of reasons which were all part of my agenda for starting a blog. I genuinely wanted to create a community of Starbucks enthusiasts in the comments. Yes, I realize that there are many Starbucks blogs, but I still felt like I had something to add to the online world of Starbucks. I also needed an outlet for my thoughts, experiences, and stories about Starbucks: I felt a compulsion to express myself. I really made the decision that I would blog, even if nobody came and read what I was writing. I also believed that the site could offer constructive insight to make Starbucks better. Being a corporate cheerleader alone is not a healthy thing to do. Criticism from the perspective of “Let’s work together to make Starbucks better” is absolutely a useful tool.
4. Me - Have you ever considered working for Starbucks? (in a store or at the corporate level)
Mel - I honestly think that I could be a valuable part of Starbucks but at this point I would lose my independence from them if I worked for them. My journalistic independence is part of what maintains the credibility to my blog, so working for them is out of the question. And in addition, if you consider it from the perspective of Starbucks, I am much more valuable to them as a “customer”.
5. Me - What’s the best thing about being a Starbucks blogger?
Mel - It’s a double-edged sword. I enjoy every single small thing that Starbucks does, such as media invites to taste coffee or I especially LOVED going to the Roy Street media preview night. I am hoping that Starbucks will extend me an invitation to the preview event for Olive Way. Once in a while it’s quite uncomfortable having a spot light on me.
Over the past year I have watched a community grow within the comments to my blog and that part of being a blogger is extremely emotionally rewarding. I’m thankful.
6. Me - Is there anything you dislike about Starbucks? if so, how would you change it if you were a Starbucks executive?
Mel - It’s a big company. A billion dollar corporation. It seems to have problems associated with any corporation that size: Many of the messages flowing in the direction of corporation to customer are somewhat canned, PR type messages. That was evidenced by my experience at the 2010 Shareholders’ Meeting. Reading press materials, blog entries, and having conversations that sound like they’ve been massaged through 20 meetings is far less than inspiring. John Moore of Brand Autopsy always always nails this concept. If you read his e-book Tough Love you can see that he absolutely can articulate what I am trying to say far better than I can. He did a blog article on “mini” at Starbucks and that too sums up what I am trying to say - here is the link: http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/brandautopsy/2010/06/pathetic_starbucks_poster.html
And if I were a Starbucks executive, I would put back up the whole bean menu boards, at least for those stores designated as “Reserve” stores.
7. Me - Do you get any recognition, by Starbucks Corporate, for your work on the blog?
Mel - I passionately cherish the wonderful things that Starbucks has done for me that were “media” type events because I have the blog: Specifically, I am referring to (1) the Jamaica Mountain Blue coffee tasting event at 1st & Pike, (2) the invite to the Galapagos Island Roasting Event, (3) the Roy Street Media Preview event, (4) the DM in Sacramento who let me put on a green apron and make my own Clover, and the opportunity to go shopping at the partner store in the headquarters. All of those things happened, I think, because of the blog. The Roasting Event and partner store shopping were all one trip to Starbucks. So you can see in the course of about 13 months of blogging there have been 4 media events.
I have a wish list of things that I would like to see Starbucks do for me, but it’s just that: A wish list only. I’m not holding my breath. I would love to attend in any Olive Way media event; I’d love to have another Howard autograph to frame; and I would love to have a tour of either the Kent Roasting Plant or the Seattle Pilot Plant to talk about roasting on the blog. But in the end, I just happily accept what comes my way. I really can’t _expect_ those things.
8. Me - If you could sum up Starbucks in 3 words, what would they be?
Mel - Three words: Love. Coffee. People.
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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 8th) 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 30th), 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!
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Angelwish Foundation and Starbucks
Nowadays, many multi-national companies take part in charitable campaigns that aim to help disenfranchised children, families and/or communities. Starbucks is one of those companies. However, what separates Starbucks from the others is their ability to mobilize and inspire their store and district managers to seek out and team-up with charities in their own communities. In this sense, store and district managers go above and beyond their job description and above Starbucks’ corporate social responsibility campaigns.
With that being said, I want to highlight a truly admirable campaign that 40 stores in New Jersey are currently taking part in. It’s called the Angelwish Foundation. And together with these Starbucks stores, Angelwish is granting wishes to millions of children around the world who live with chronic sicknesses – asthma, diabetes and HIV, just to name a few.
With Starbucks’ help, you can learn more about this campaign online and donate right from your home computer. It’s simple and even though you may not be able to visit one of the 40 stores in New Jersey participating in Angelwish, you can grant a wish, in any amount, through the online donation system.
I urge you to visit Angelwish’s Facebook page and learn more about this great campaign. Also, don’t forget to follow them on Twitter @angelwish.
And don’t forget to read Starbucks Melody’s blog post on Angelwish.
No child should have to live with sickness, especially during the holidays, so for this Christmas, help grant a wish to those who truly deserve it.
Have a very happy and blessed holiday season.
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Howard Schultz Visits Toronto! part 1
Tomorrow, April 13, Howard will make his way to Toronto to speak to a crowd of retail, district, regional managers and corporate partners. But, I bet there will also be shift supervisors and baristas there as well. It’s an invite-only event that is sure to be exciting.
It’s not often that Mr. Howard Schultz graces the Great White North with his presence. Let’s face it; he’s a really busy guy! But every so often, when he does get the opportunity to visit Canada, he is met with excitement by Canadian partners and enthusiasts alike.
Obviously, I did not receive an invitation – I don’t work for Starbucks and never expected an invitation. But, that doesn’t mean that I’m not excited to have Howard in my city. He is an icon and one of the most influential people in business; who wouldn’t be excited about hearing him speak?
My friend, a store manager, received an invitation and is looking forward to the event. I asked my friend where the event is taking place. He didn’t have the address on-hand but he did say something about “The Carlu.”
Well, holy Toledo! The Carlu is a conference centre INSIDE my office building! It is located at the corner of Yonge and Carlton. I literally work only a few floors above!
I’m not saying I’ll have an opportunity to see Howard, but it will be great to see all the Starbucks branding and partners walking around my building. I hope to speak with a partner after Howard’s talk to hear what he had to say.
I suspect he will talk about the new logo and his new book, Onward.
I can’t wait to experience the commotion of such an epic event. Heck, maybe I’ll even get a chance to snap a few photos.
Stay tuned, the next blog post will discuss my experience with the event. (at least from the outside!)
