If you’ve ever wondered what coffee Starbucks use, then read on! We’ll discuss Arabica vs. Robusta, blends, single origins, and their difference. Starbucks sources its coffee beans with great care, and they take great care to roast each batch to perfection. The roasting is done in America and then distributed to stores worldwide. Some flavors, such as dark roast, are only available at certain times.
Arabica
The Starbucks menu features a variety of coffee, including Arabica. While Arabica coffee is the standard, not all of it is grown in South America. In addition to South American coffee, Starbucks also sources specialty coffee beans from countries throughout Asia and Africa. Whether you like your black coffee strong or mild, you’ll want to try a different coffee, such as a blend of Robusta and Arabica. Both varieties will satisfy your coffee cravings.
The coffee is grown in tropical regions around the equator, making them ideal for roasting. Robusta beans are grown in lower elevations and don’t taste nearly as good. Coffee beans grown in higher elevations have a more balanced flavor than those in low-elevation regions. Robusta is more common in mass-produced coffee. Arabica coffee is grown in less than 2% of the world’s coffee plants and accounts for 70% of the coffee exported to the US.
The Starbucks coffee beans are sourced with care. While Robusta beans can be used for espresso-style drinks, most of their coffee is Arabica. Arabica beans have a wavy groove in the middle that differentiates them from Robusta beans. Arabica beans have more sugar and lipids, making them higher in quality and taste. Whether you want your coffee strong or mild, Starbucks has a selection to please every taste bud.
Robusta
Did you know that Starbucks uses 100% Arabica beans? While Robusta beans are the most commonly used for mass-market coffee, Arabica accounts for 70% of coffee exports to the US. Robusta coffee has a more robust and bitterer taste. McDonald’s uses Arabica coffee beans. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages. Arabica is more popular because it has a smooth flavor and is widely paired with many foods.
Arabica requires volcanic soil, specific humidity, and elevation to thrive. Top producing countries for Arabica include Ethiopia, Colombia, and Brazil. Robusta is a much more durable type of coffee that grows in temperate areas of South-East Asia. Robusta gets its name from the Indonesian island of Java. Both types of coffee are popular, but only Arabica is grown in Starbucks. However, many people have different reasons for drinking one over the other.
The most significant difference between Arabica and Robusta beans lies in the roasting process. Robusta beans require a darker roast to add darker notes and mask the burnt flavor. However, the darker roasting time required by Robusta coffee is longer than that of Arabica. This type of coffee should also be aged before roasting. Starbucks has since stated that they use 100% Arabica. The controversial switch to Arabica results from a class-action lawsuit over caffeine.
Blends
When you visit a Starbucks store, you can find a wide variety of coffee blends. If you are a regular coffee drinker, you’re probably familiar with the classic cup of coffee. The coffee blends at this popular chain are made by blending various types of coffee. Whether you enjoy a cup of joe with milk or a gourmet cappuccino, there is a Starbucks coffee blend to fit your taste.
The roast of the coffee bean is also essential. Dark roasts are generally the most bitter. However, if you are looking for a more complex coffee taste, you can try the light roast. Light roasts are more balanced and sweet and can be a great alternative to medium roasts. You can also choose a flavorful coffee with milk, cream, or caramel. Starbucks also offers a variety of other coffee blends for you to try, so you can find one that suits your palate perfectly.
When it comes to roasting, most of the coffee beans at Starbucks are pretty dark. Some are even very dark. A few are lighter. While I’ve listed some of the darker roasts below, you can also find more lightweight blends at Starbucks. Just research the roasts thoroughly to find the perfect coffee for your taste preferences. You’ll know which combination will complement your taste the most. However, the dark roasts are not suitable for everyone.
Single-origin
You can get a great cup of coffee by choosing a single origin. The term single-origin refers to coffee grown on a single farm or region. This ensures that you’re getting the highest quality coffee possible. The coffee is brewed without milk or cream and is meant to taste as unique as where it was grown. Listed below are five of the most common reasons Starbucks uses single-origin coffee.
Single-origin coffees are rarer and more expensive than blends with wine and beer. This is mainly due to their terroir and the specific growing conditions of each region. Temperature, rainfall, and sunshine can all profoundly affect the coffee’s flavor in the cup. Starbucks has created a limited series of single-origin coffees that allow customers to taste and purchase the actual beans, ensuring more excellent quality and consistency.
As the third-largest coffee producer globally, Sumatra produces both Robusta and Arabica varieties. The company sources only the finest Arabica coffee in order toto provide its customers with the best cup of coffee. Small-scale farmers in Sumatra grow coffee trees, among other crops, making the coffee grown in the region unique and compelling. It is no surprise that Starbucks sources coffee from this country, as it has been a significant supplier to the company for years.
Roasting methods
While the specific roasting method used by Starbucks varies, the basic procedure is the same for all coffees. A coffee roaster watches the coffee beans fly into the tubes in a vacuum mechanism. As the coffee ages, it absorbs more heat and dries more quickly than green coffee. Heavy impurities float to the bottom of the roasting process and are filtered out. As a result, a medium brown roast is produced.
The roasting process is crucial to the coffee’s taste. While green coffee smells like fresh vegetables and grains, it has an unpleasant taste and must be roasted before brewing. The roasting process cultivates the specific aroma, acidity, body, and flavor of the coffee. In addition to coffee roasting, Starbucks also offers light roast beans for those who prefer a light roast. Starbucks roasts its coffee at a lower temperature than competitors.
The Starbucks roasting spectrum is divided into three main types: light roast, medium roast, and dark roast. The medium roast is between the light and dark roast and is removed before developing its second crack. Medium roasts have an oily surface and slightly decreased acidity. On the other hand, dark roasts are the darkest of the three and have the longest roasting time. Dark roasts have lost their actual flavor and developed a burnt aroma. They are typically used for blends.
Price
The Starbucks coffee price is determined by several factors, such as the beans used and the roastery reserve. However, there is one thing that all consumers should keep in mind: the higher the price, the better the cup will be. Starbucks Corporation is a multinational coffeehouse and roastery reserve chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Their products are renowned around the world. As far as coffee goes, they are considered the most popular globally.
To offset rising costs, Starbucks announced price increases for regular brewed coffee. Prices are rising nationwide by 10 to 20 cents, and a tall coffee will cost between $1.95 and $2.15, depending on the store. The increase will not affect other beverages. Starbucks plans to implement the new prices nationwide, but whether this hike will affect all locations is unclear. The company’s spokesperson said that the price hike results from higher operating expenses and the cost of sales.
Despite the increase in prices, many large U.S. restaurants have been raising their prices to counter the effect of rising food and energy costs. The coffee chain announced a 19% increase in its quarterly revenue, which jumped to $8.1 billion. Other companies, like Nestle, have raised their prices as well. The prices of coffee have increased faster than the overall inflation rate in the U.S. and are expected to rise to 5.8% by 2021.
