Mark Derricutt's Disturbing Thoughts

Starbucks Challenge - Botany Downs, Auckland, New Zealand

posted Saturday, 12 November 2005
So I'm out and about and think about hitting up another Starbucks for the challenge, I walk into the main Botany store (theres two, the second being a tiny stand next to the theater) and ask for a cup of "Fair Trade", *blink blink* - it was like seeing the eyes of a rabbit as your headlights light up the body just prior to motorway impact...

Behind the counter I see the filter machine with a sign saying "Fair Trade", directly infront of the till theres a bad of Fair Trade coffee and a venti cup. I pick both up and say "a cup of Fair Trade coffee please?" - once again I get a confused look when the barista finnishes up a drink, looks at me then grabs a venti cup, turns to the filter machine and proceed to fill the cup...

"Er thanks, could I have some milk with that?"

"Sure - its over there on the condiments stand..."

Image(007).JPGAfter handing over some cash and finding a seat, I return to the counter and ask for a cup; theres no way in hell I'm drinking a venti cup of black coffee (nor was their room in the cup to milk).

I'm not sure how long the coffee had been sitting in the filter machines pot, but it tasted like it had been sitting there for awhile - yuck :( I walked out leaving over 70% of the coffee behind in search of something better.

Technically this counts as a success as they a) sold me a cup of Fair Trade b) brewed fair trade in the filter all the time, but the coffee was rather disgusting, so my tastebuds count it as a failure...

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1. Lee left...
Sunday, 13 November 2005 2:17 pm :: http://blog.cafenation.com.au

I have recently posted on fair trade coffee over at my blog, please check it out and let me know what you think, I would love to hear your opinion.