I was over at Starbuck's today and was served an espresso in a cardboard cup. I stared at it unsure what to make of it. The girl perceptively explained they no longer had porcelain cups.
Strange.
For a company that owes its existence and model to Italian cafes, they sure know how to ignore the most basic elements of the Italian coffee experience: Serving espresso in a darn porcelain cup!
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
For a company that owes its existence and model to Italian cafes ..Are you sure of that? We don't have Starbuck's in Italy, so I don't know. I was there in SF recently. I found very little resemblance with Italian coffee stuff, but surely it is better than any standard American coffee, that absolutely tastes zero.
ReplyDeleteStarbucks at present is strapped for bucks and has to cut back on expenses. They even had to close some outlets to remain afloat. I must admit though that besides mine the best coffee I have tasted was at the Starbucks in the Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas. Of course they must keep the Casino crowd awake.
ReplyDeleteMOR, the inspiration for Starbucks is Italy. The owner got the idea observing the Italian way. I believe it's explained on the website.
ReplyDeletePaul, perhaps but I do find their espresso beans pretty good. I buy it and grind it in my machine.
ReplyDeleteI do grind my beans in my machine, but they are Brulerie St-Denis Mexican medium roasted fair trade that I get freshly roaste at my nearby IGA Extra.
ReplyDeleteI see. My two daughters though like standard American coffee because they say a full big cup of it is much stronger (and better for being awake) than any espresso.
ReplyDeleteIt's true American coffee packs a bigger punch byway of caffeine but I can't handle the taste. Aqua sporca as they say.
ReplyDeleteYes, acqua sporca, but an excellent stimulant. Americans, being pupils of the British, are practical people, devoted to action, where they find all their kicks – it suffices to watch their movies.
ReplyDeleteWe are a bit different. We also like action, but we are 'esteti' au fond, even the most ignorant among us. Food to Italians is of course energy, calories, but also, and mainly, an enhancement de la joie de vivre.
Banale, ma vero.