Coffee Beans: Arabica vs Robusta, Sourcing, and Blends

Coffee Beans

• Arabica vs. Robusta: Starbucks uses 100% Arabica beans, which are known for their mild and nuanced flavor. Arabica beans are more expensive and difficult to produce than Robusta beans.
• Bean sourcing: Starbucks sources coffee beans from over 30 countries, with a focus on sustainable and ethical practices. They work directly with farmers to ensure high-quality beans and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.
• Coffee blends: Starbucks offers a range of coffee blends, including Single-Origin, Blend, and Reserve. Each blend is designed to highlight specific flavor profiles and characteristics.

Barista Skills

• Pulling the perfect shot: Baristas at Starbucks are trained to extract the perfect shot of espresso, which involves a specific amount of coffee, water, and pressure.
• Steaming techniques: Baristas use steam wands to create microfoam, which is essential for latte art and texture.
• Drink customization: Starbucks baristas are trained to customize drinks to customers' preferences, including adjusting flavor profiles, sweetness levels, and texture.

Roasting Techniques

• Light, medium, and dark roasts: Starbucks offers a range of roasts, each with its own unique flavor profile. Light roasts are more acidic and fruity, while dark roasts are more bitter and smoky.
• Roast levels: Starbucks has a proprietary roast level system, which ranges from Blonde (lightest) to French (darkest).
• Small-batch roasting: Starbucks uses small-batch roasting to bring out the unique flavor profiles of each coffee bean. This process involves roasting small batches of beans to ensure consistency and quality.

Coffee Beans

• Arabica beans are used by Starbucks due to their mild and nuanced flavor, despite being more expensive and difficult to produce than Robusta beans.
• Coffee beans are sourced from over 30 countries, with a focus on sustainable and ethical practices, ensuring high-quality beans and improving the livelihoods of farming communities.

Coffee Blends

• Starbucks offers a range of coffee blends, including Single-Origin, Blend, and Reserve, each designed to highlight specific flavor profiles and characteristics.
• Each blend is crafted to showcase unique flavor profiles and characteristics.

Barista Skills

• Baristas are trained to extract the perfect shot of espresso, which involves a specific amount of coffee, water, and pressure.
• Steam wands are used to create microfoam, essential for latte art and texture.
• Baristas are trained to customize drinks to customers' preferences, including adjusting flavor profiles, sweetness levels, and texture.

Roasting Techniques

• Starbucks offers a range of roasts, including light, medium, and dark roasts, each with its own unique flavor profile.
• Light roasts are more acidic and fruity, while dark roasts are more bitter and smoky.
• Starbucks has a proprietary roast level system, ranging from Blonde (lightest) to French (darkest).
• Small-batch roasting is used to bring out the unique flavor profiles of each coffee bean, ensuring consistency and quality.

Learn about the differences between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, Starbucks' bean sourcing practices, and their coffee blends. Explore the world of coffee beans and their nuanced flavors.