MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #3 – East Africa Blend

(STARBUCKS)RED Blend Coffee also known as East Africa Blend by Starbucks Coffee

Africa is the birthplace of coffee, and Starbucks has always cherished the amazing flavors and aromas of African coffees. And, with the opening of Farmer Support Center in Rwanda, we’re working directly with farmers to improve the quality and sustainability of their coffee for years to come.

As part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the people and communities that grow our coffee, Starbucks has partnered with (PRODUCT) RED™ to give $1.00 to the Global Fund every time you buy a pound of (STARBUCKS)RED coffee. This money will help to provide treatment for children and adults living with HIV, helping to fight AIDS in Africa. And that makes every sip better for all of us.

To learn more about (RED)™ and the Global Fund visit JOINRED.COM.

This blend of beans from East Africa is balanced and complex, with delicate acidity and a flavorful interplay of sweet citrus, subtle herbal and savory spice notes.

Intensity: Bold

MY NOTES:

Smell: mild earthy spice
Taste: very acidic, earthy, spicy, thick, smooth, deep
After taste: acidic, citrus, spice

This was way to acidic for my tastes.

+1 sugar
A slightly sweet aftertaste

+2 sugar
Sweeter up front, less acidic, still spicy and citrus
More spicy less acidic aftertaste

This wasn't as aromatic as the Yukon (MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #1 – Organic Yukon Blend®.

So far my favorite has been the Italian Roast (MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #2 – Italian Roast)

About the tasting club:

The program was announced 3/2/2010 on MSI (My Starbucks Idea)

MSI-My Starbucks Idea Tasting Club

MSI Tasting Club Details

You need to post your week #3 tasting notes here:

MSI Coffee Tasting Club Week #3 - (Starbucks)RED East Africa Blend

Additional Links:

You Tube

Buy Here - (STARBUCKS)RED Blend Coffee by Starbucks Coffee

My Starbucks Personal Cup / Mug

I try to bring my Starbucks personal cup (mug) every day when I get my grande no water soy chai latte fix. I don't do it for the .10 discount, although that is nice, I do it to not waste a paper cup, and to have my own mug.

My first personal cup is still my favorite. It's a ceramic mug with handle, 16 ounces (wish it were 20!) that looks just like the paper cups. I would mark my drink order on the side with marker (permanent marker but it would wash off anyway) and most baristas were amused and loved it.

The catch: no lid! I frequently walk outside about 2 blocks to get to my Starbucks, and in bad weather this is not ideal.

Strangely enough I spilled LESS drink without a lid (I was more cautious?) than when I get a paper cup with lid.

I could not find a silicone lid that fit, and although the plastic lids at Starbucks seemed close they didn't quite stay.

I recently changed mugs. What kept me the longest from upgrading is that I wanted at least 16 ounces, not 12, and ideally wanted it to look exactly like the paper cup.

I gave up on the idea and settled on a plastic double walled mug with rocker shut lid and green siren logo.

I still have and occasionally use the 'old' mug.

Do you use a personal mug? Do you switch it up? Do you use the store's for here ware?

The end of the Starbucks Card Duetto® Visa® program

As you may already know Starbucks Card Duetto® Visa® program card holders were informed that as of the end of the month we will no longer be earning Starbucks dollars with our purchases and our earned balance will be mailed to us on a Starbucks card.

I have been a card holder since 2003, and used the card as much as possible to earn free drinks.

I was disappointed to hear it was ending and the confirmation came when I received a letter from chase that I would be switched to a Chase Freedom card.

I must assume many people were upset by this change, which came right on the heels of the Black Gold card members, myself included, losing our 10% discount.

Today in the mail I received a nice note with 6 free drink coupons, 1 per month, starting in April.

It does soothe the wound a little, not much, but at least they tried.

Letter:
As you know, the Starbucks Card Duetto® Visa® program is ending soon. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for being such a loyal customer - we hope this hasn't been too much of an inconvenience. Please know that any unused balance remaining on the Starbucks Card side of your Duetto® Visa® account will be transferred to a new Starbucks Card and mailed to you separately.

In the meantime, as a token of our gratitude, we have enclosed a coupon book good for six complimentary drinks - any drink you'd like - over the next six months. We hope you enjoy them.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please visit www.starbucks.com/card.

Thank you for all your support over the years. We look forward to making your next drink.

Sincerely,

The Starbucks Card Team

Coupon Booklet

Cover: Our Thanks. Your favorites.

Inside Cover: Please accept our gratitude - and drinks, on us.
Enjoy a complimentary handcrafted or brewed drink each month - any drink you want - over the next six months. Try something new each time or stick with your favorite. It's up to you. Our little way of saying thanks for being such a great customer. Enjoy.

Each coupon reads: Good for one handcrafted or brewed beverage of your choice. Month 2010

MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #2 – Italian Roast

Italian Roast by Starbucks Coffee

This sturdy Multi-Region Blend is a sweet, bold cup of coffee.

This sturdy Latin American blend is less complex than Espresso Roast and not as intensely smoky as French Roast. Nonetheless, it's a potent, bold cup of coffee.

More about this coffee: Italian Roast is the coffee flavor found in Frappuccino® blended beverages containing coffee.

Intensity: Extra Bold

Food Pairings: Italian Roast is amazing with dark chocolate and any buttery pastry.

Origin Notes: Blend of Latin American coffees.

MY NOTES:

Smell: chocolate, coffee, roast
Taste: thick, dark spice fronted by a bit of acidity
After taste: oily slick of sweet spice for a moment

I didn't want to add sugar or cream it's nice and enjoyable the way it is.

This wasn't as aromatic as the Yukon (MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #1 – Organic Yukon Blend® but I liked it better.

About the tasting club:

The program was announced 3/2/2010 on MSI (My Starbucks Idea)

MSI-My Starbucks Idea Tasting Club

MSI Tasting Club Details

You need to post your week #2 tasting notes here:

MSI Coffee Tasting Club Week #2 - Italian Roast

Additional Links:

You Tube

Buy Here -
Italian Roast by Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks Mexico Chiapas Medium

Gift from Starbucks Melody who runs a great Starbucks Community and Fan Site (check it out if you haven't before, or even if you have).

I was lamenting how it was not being served up in stores, and I'd really like to try some before getting a whole pound (yes I know it's only 12$, but still, you are a coffee shop, have some variety!)

Grind: French press is what I asked for, but I believe the barrista did it for automatic drip from the looks of it
Preparation: http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot (12 ounce press pot - 4 minutes)
Bean smell: Roasted, earthy, dark

Amount: 2 Teaspoons
Water: 12 ounces
Additives: none
Body: Light
Smell: Bitter, acidic
Taste: mild, roasty
After-taste: none

Notes: A little oil on the top, didn’t pick up any of the nutty or chocolate notes even with tried with almond milk, oreos, and cherry pie. It was a generic coffee tasting coffee that didn’t seem to belong to Starbucks.

Amount: 3 Tablespoons
Water: 12 ounces
Additives: none
Body: Medium
Smell: nutty, chocolaty
Taste: chocolaty, thick, oily
After-taste: bitter, but not lingeringly so

Notes: there might be touches of acidity here and there but not nearly as much as in the bold beans.

MilitiaJim liked brewing it weaker better.

I found the second brew more flavorful, but overall not something I will miss while it is away (it's seasonal).

Company: Starbucks
Name: Mexico Chiapas
Intensity: Medium
Description: This wonderful coffee comes from the slopes of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Mexico’s finest coffee-growing region, where high altitudes and rich, volcanic soil create ideal growing conditions. Cultivated under a canopy of shade trees that protect a diversity of wildlife-foraging tapirs, colorful quetzals, the sleek jaguar-by farmers who are committed to producing something exceptional, Mexico Chipas is crisp and nutty with hints of cocoa.

This wonderful discovery comes from the slopes of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, where high altitudes and rich, volcanic soil create ideal growing conditions. This coffee was cultivated under a canopy of shade trees that protect a diversity of wildlife – foraging tapirs, colorful quetzals, sleek jaguars – by farmers who are committed to producing something exceptional.

In the cup, Mexico Chiapas is crisp and nutty. It has a pleasing acidity and round body that are complemented by flavors of hazelnut and milk chocolate. The finish is smooth and slightly sweet. This exceptional coffee is available at Starbucks for only a limited time.

Cup notes: a pleasing acidity and round body are complemented b flavors of hazelnut and milk chocolate and smooth slightly sweet finish.
Food Pairings: Chocolate-covered nuts, a comfy chair and a warm fire.
Flavor: Milk chocolate, hazelnut
Body: Round
Source: Santa Teresa and Guadalupe farms
Elevation: 1,000-1,300 meters
Processing: Washed
Varietal: Catuai, Caturra, Bourbon
County: Mexico
Our bag said to enjoy before: July 2010
Purchase: Here

MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #1 – Organic Yukon Blend®

About the tasting club:

The program was announced 3/2/2010 on MSI (My Starbucks Idea)

MSI-My Starbucks Idea Tasting Club

MSI Tasting Club Details

You need to post your week #1 tasting notes here:

MSI Coffee Tasting Club: Week #1 – Organic Yukon Blend®

Additional Yukon Links:

You Tube

Buy Here - Organic Yukon Blend® by Starbucks Coffee

Organic Yukon Blend® by Starbucks Coffee
Do they grow coffee in the Yukon? No, but they drink a lot of coffee there. This blend was created for the captain of a fishing fleet who wanted to keep his crew warm in the chilly conditions. Starbucks created Yukon Blend to be balanced, bringing the flavor, body and acidity in harmony with one another.

Hearty and well rounded, Organic Yukon Blend is a great "next step" coffee after House Blend. It's the same familiar flavor you've loved for years, now 100% certified organic.

Intensity: Bold

Food Pairings:
Any breakfast food is wonderful with this invigorating blend - like a big bowl of oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon.

Origin Notes:
A blend of Latin American and Indonesian coffee.

MY NOTES:

Well I had mine after a dark cherry mocha.

I think this tasting club is fabulous! I wish they'd keep it up and cycle through ALL the coffees. I also wish they had the pairing notes at the register so I would have tried the oatmeal instead of croissant.

Sadly yesterday (Monday) and Today I had to walk the baristas at my Starbucks through the new program. It is a disappointment that they were just mailed materials with no clear directions on what was going on. I hope staffing is increased soon, it will improve the experience of my poor harried but wonderfully happy and helpful partners.

Smell: coffee, dark, roasting, spicy
Taste: smooth, sweet, acidic, astringent
After taste: bitter, then a spiciness that coated my tongue

Nibbling my butter croissant between bites took care of that

Next I decided to add 1 packet white sugar

Smell: coffee, dark, roasting, spicy
Taste: smooth, sweet, spicy
After taste: bitter, then a spiciness that coated my tongue

Nibbling my butter croissant between bites took care of that

Perhaps cream would have helped more but I have none on hand.

Overall I still believe I am not much of a "bold" coffee person but I love to try them all anyway to be sure.

Also coffee makes me feel a little ill, so right now I have a twitchy eyelid and a angry tummy, oh well.