Wes Phillips

Starbucks Sells Rationally-Sized Coffees?

Wes Phillips  |  Jan 11, 2006

Make mine a Venti? Give me a break! I once asked a Starbucks counterperson why they called their humongous-sized hot-milk drinks "ventis." "That's Italian for twenty," the barrista said. Riiiight, like any Italian I've ever met would slam down 20 oz. of coffee at a time.

I have mixed feelings about Starbucks—frankly, I think they burn their beans,so the only blend I come close to liking is the "mild" Breakfast Blend, but I do like their "third place" ambience and wi-fi convenience. This article from Slate now tells me how to get a smaller, stronger cappuccino, something more like the superb cortados I became addicted to in Barcelona.

COMMENTS
Mark Fleischmann's picture
Submitted by Mark Fleischmann (not verified) on January 11, 2006 - 6:34pm

I'm with Wes on the burnt beans. My favorite bean (not available at Starbucks) is from Papua New Guinea and it's a dead ringer for Jamaican Blue Mountain. They have an aftertaste like really good red wine and they're usually sold in a light roast because burning them would be a crime.

Alan in Victoria's picture
Submitted by Alan in Victoria (not verified) on January 11, 2006 - 6:45pm

I am more wary of Slate magazine than I am of Starbucks

wes Phillips's picture
Submitted by wes Phillips (not verified) on January 11, 2006 - 7:37pm

How come, Alan? Just asking.

Alan in Victoria's picture
Submitted by Alan in Victoria (not verified) on January 13, 2006 - 12:10am

Well, the expos

Alan in Victoria's picture
Submitted by Alan in Victoria (not verified) on January 13, 2006 - 12:41pm

A lot of people seem to grabbing those little cups at my local Bux...I'll stick to my usual tall latte, I think. Next time you are in town, Wes, it's on me.

Wes Phillips's picture
Submitted by Wes Phillips (not verified) on January 13, 2006 - 2:48pm

Sounds good to me.

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