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Post by MartinT on Jan 17, 2016 21:51:00 GMT
Starbucks or Costa?
Please vote - just for fun!
Me, I'm a Costa fan. I just prefer the coffee and the ambiance.
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 17, 2016 22:29:03 GMT
Some of us require a third option!
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Post by Stratmangler on Jan 17, 2016 22:40:02 GMT
I drink black tea.
No milk, no sugar, no palaver.
Both of the named establishments charge far too much for my preferred warm beverage.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2016 23:17:24 GMT
In truth ... none of the above unless there is absolutely no other option (as with some of our local rail stations). We have a few 'local' cafes down town that serve excellent cappuccino so no need otherwise. Of the two I voted for Costa because I hate the forced chumminess of Starbucks - like they really give a toss what my name is ....
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Post by Tim on Jan 17, 2016 23:52:06 GMT
Hmm, don't really like either these days Martin so that's a tricky one. I prefer to make my own or find an independent. If I was desperate for a coffee whilst out and there was nothing else I'd use them, but wouldn't have a preference. I take beans and a portable grinder with me when I travel too  |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 18, 2016 7:01:06 GMT
Some of us require a third option! Hee hee, I deliberately didn't! |
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Post by John on Jan 18, 2016 7:35:52 GMT
Afraid I also require a third option
I am also a tea drinker and cannot find any place that do decent tea
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Post by MartinT on Jan 18, 2016 8:01:40 GMT
I am also a tea drinker and cannot find any place that do decent tea There are quite a few tea rooms dotted around towns, although not all serve good tea. I like a proper mint tea, one where it's served in a proper tea ball infuser. |
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Post by daytona600 on Jan 18, 2016 8:07:33 GMT
3rd option of ANY local coffee company paying tax & decent wages
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 18, 2016 8:12:28 GMT
I've never been in either a Costa or a Starbucks. Maybe I need psychiatric help?  I usually frequent old-fashioned tea shops. Much nicer atmosphere. There are still some around. Peering in as I pass a Starbucks I feel no desire whatsoever to venture inside! Soulless places. |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 18, 2016 8:17:35 GMT
Peering in as I pass a Starbucks I feel no desire whatsoever to venture inside! Soulless places. Personally, I agree with you and will only use a Starbucks if I have to (i.e. at a motorway services). I think their coffee is inferior and the places are often a bit tacky. Many people seem to go there for the wi-fi...  |
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Post by Tim on Jan 18, 2016 9:23:14 GMT
Nice to see it's not just me that dislikes these two chains. We actually have a growing number of really great independents in our area. However my dislike of Costa grew recently when they opened one in Ferndown, right opposite a traditional bakery, tea/coffee room that did English breakfasts and great bacon sandwiches. Can't remember exactly how long it was, around 6 weeks I think before it closed and it had been there for as long as I can remember. Costa have put tables and chairs outside too and you have to walk past all the smokers, forcing people to cross the road to avoid it. I have never crossed the threshold there and I never will - Costa w******. /rant  EDIT:
I've just withdrawn my vote, as I wouldn't by choice use either of them these days, plenty of other places to support or brew at home, which is option one Actually we need four options, none of the above and home brew? |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 18, 2016 9:38:28 GMT
Costa make better and more consistent coffee than some of the independents, and a lot of restaurants (which often serve something disgusting disguised as coffee). They also do a decent bacon roll. Oh, and they're British and pay their taxes.
If the independents want to survive, some of them need to up their game.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 10:16:30 GMT
I have a love hate thing with Costa, I remember them in the days ehen the days when they were a small family run company, when their products were superb. I should not eat them, but they used to do a reall nice Nata (custard tart with choux pastry), but they stopped doing those. If you buy a coffee from Starbucks, the least expensive ingredient in the purchase is the coffee, they even spend more on the milk, it's pretty crap in my opinion.
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Post by Tim on Jan 18, 2016 10:35:33 GMT
Chris whilst we are on the subject of coffee, I think I remember you saying you had an AeroPress? This is a great little tip I picked up elsewhere for travel. The Porlex grinder fits in the AeroPress!  If you take the bottom grounds collector off the Porlex, the grinder body itself fits into the plunger section of the AeroP. I leave the bottom bit at home and grind straight into the AeroP. Great coffee on the go without having to use these a********! Saves a fortune, which is great for tight wads like me and tastes better too |
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Post by Tim on Jan 18, 2016 10:59:10 GMT
If you buy a coffee from Starbucks, the least expensive ingredient in the purchase is the coffee, they even spend more on the milk, it's pretty crap in my opinion. That's the same for them all Paul, this is from a Telegraph article a few years ago (not sure you can get a £2.00 latte any more?).  The whole bean coffee I buy is £2.99 a bag, often 2 for £5.00. I can get 16 cups from one bag, so not including the water and heat to boil it (I'm black, no sugar), that's under 19p a cup and I don't have to sit in a s***hole full of zombies glued to their smart-phones and computers  /rant[2] . . . ooo this feels great, good thread Martin, haha. |
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Post by dvh on Jan 18, 2016 11:36:24 GMT
Starbucks is rubbish, Costa slightly less so. I mostly buy from the University library coffee shop, which sells coffee that's much cheaper, and not bad for the price.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 11:46:36 GMT
Starcrap = warm dishwater American take on coffee pretty sure goats piss has more flavor Cost a fortune up until twelve months ago delivered good coffee at a price, now pretty convinced they have changed their blend One of the best over the counter coffee's for pure taste we have found is Lavazza Quality coffeeIf I had to choose out of the above two it would be Costa |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 18, 2016 11:50:08 GMT
I expect goat's piss would be very strongly flavoured - I can't say for sure, though
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 12:04:22 GMT
I usually make my own coffee (from beans) and use a Thermos flask. I find Costa coffee a bit too strong but I do prefer the ambience in Costa. Starbucks is often both filthy and noisy, so I avoid going into the main shops in Edinburgh.
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