Ultimate Foodie

I must admit, my sweet tooth prefers the taste of some of Starbuck’s more caloric offerings, but I headed out today to finally sample their newest brew. The Pike Place Roast is being touted as Starbuck’s “everyday” coffee and was officially launched about two weeks ago with a free coffee event at their stores.

First thing I noticed when my regular barista passed me my cup is that the cup color has been changed from the trademark Starbucks green to a rich black. It’s slightly elegant, but it comes off as a bit generic…like they had to order plain cups because they ran out or something.

My first tentative sip should have been a bit more tentative as the coffee was scathingly hot. So I had to sit and wait. After a few impatient minutes, I tried again and I was pleasantly suprised. The coffee is rich and incredibly smooth. It doesn’t have that burned, bitter aftertaste that so many “plain” coffees possess at most purveyors. After about an inch or so, I added a smidge of half and half, just enough to make it a deep caramel color, as I simply prefer my coffee not quite so strong. I also bought a piece of their blueberry coffee cake and really enjoyed its lightness contrasted with the Pike Place coffee. It wasn’t greasy and actually tasted like blueberries, something most “blueberry” pastries lack.

All in all, the coffee was delicious and not overbearing or bitter. It wasn’t a wimpy cup of coffee flavored water, but a strong, robust coffee worthy of ordering again. In fact, it might just supplant my grande toffee nut latte with whip to become my new “usual”!

Pike Place Coffee is available at any Starbucks and is brewed fresh every half hour. You can also by it by the bag in whole bean at the store or online at www.starbucksstore.com
for $8.95