Coffee Obsession

Yesterday, we went to one of our favorite spots - The Winter Park Farmer's Market (more on that later in another post). It was such a chilly day, so we decided to warm up a bit by visiting Starbucks.  What is it with America's obsession with coffee?  That place was packed!  I guess if I ever purchased stock in anything, Starbucks would be a company that I  would definitely consider.

People filed in and out carrying their hand-warmers in the form of a tall, grande, or venti sized coffee cup.  So what is the deal with coffee -particularly Starbucks?  After conducting my own research about this company, I felt that the information was worth sharing with you. (Info taken from:  http://me.starbucks.com)

1970's:  The first Starbucks opens. The name comes from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, a classic American novel about the 19th century whaling industry. The seafaring name seems appropriate for a store that imports the world’s finest coffees to the cold, thirsty people of Seattle.  The first store opening was at Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market.

1980's:  Howard Schultz joins Starbucks in 1982. While on a business trip in Italy, he visits Milan’s famous espresso bars. Impressed with their popularity and culture, he sees their potential in Seattle. He’s right – after trying lattes and mochas, Seattle quickly becomes coffee-crazy.

1990's:  Starbucks expands beyond Seattle, first to the rest of the United States, then the entire world. After becoming one of the first companies to offer stock options to its part-time employees, Starbucks becomes a publicly traded company under the trading symbol "SBUX". The first Starbucks in the Middle East opens in 1999, in Souk Shark, Kuwait.

2000's:  The Starbucks phenomenon continues. As of this writing, Starbucks has more than 16,000 stores in 48 countries. In addition to our excellent coffees and espresso drinks, people now enjoy Tazo® tea and Frappuccino® blended beverages.

How many cups of coffee have you purchased over the last week, month, year, or years?  I am so amazed that a hot beverage that once cost around a quarter in the 1950's now can cost up to $7-8 (depending on the size you purchase and what "type" of coffee you have ordered).  I usually stop by a shop at least once a week.  Some of my students blessed me at Christmas time with Starbucks gift cards - yea baby!  What do I order?  My order would consist of a tall latte with whip (whipped cream).  No sugar or other sweetener...just a cup of "wake up juice".

I hope you are staying warm, and enjoying whatever type of hot beverage you like! Until next time... ~Pamela