The coffee made with their beans tastes better than coffee made with some other beans. Still other beans probably taste better than Starbucks. I'm simply reporting my experience, guided by comparison, not marketing. It was not the latter that brought Starbucks to my attention, but the fact that they took over the business I had already been patronizing (Coffee Connection). I'm convinced the latter was better than Starbucks, but you can't drink old memories.
I stand by my statement. "The literature" does not determine my biological experience. And note, I don't buy beverages or food in their stores, just beans to grind and brew my own coffee at home, which is not at all the focus of their marketing efforts.
It's not simply marketing that accounts for all the difference. There's another bit of common wisdom that can also apply here: you get what you pay for.
I must disagree. If I could enjoy, for example, Dunkin Donuts beans as much as Starbucks, I'd certainly opt for the cheaper bag. But there's a quite noticeable difference to my palate (I don't use sugar or flavorings, which might allow one to get away with inferior beans). If you really want a great cup of coffee, Dunkin and other mass-market choices don't provide it, at least in my experience.
If only the disturbing ignorance you highlight regarding Social Security and Medicare were the only intellectual drag on current society; I fear it is but the tip of the iceberg.
I've been buying Starbucks beans ever since they took over the Coffee Connection in Cambridge, MA, in the 1980s. The Coffee Connection was the best, especially on those days when you could buy beans that had been roasted more than seven days ago for 50% off. But Starbucks beans have served well, for grinding at home and then pouring the hot water into my manual Melita pot via a cone filter. Collecting "stars," especially by paying through the phone app, usually results in several free bags over the course of the year (somewhat reduced now that "double star days" seem to have been trimmed back quite a bit in the reset of the rewards program this past March). The big splurge is during the Christmas sale, when beans can be 30% off. Then there's the free birthday drink, any size, which for me means the Venti Latte. Otherwise, I only buy beans at Starbucks, not being able to bring myself to pay the other prices on the menu. For great tasting coffee at home, I find Starbucks to offer great value. The problem, however, is that it makes most other coffee one encounters, even in many restaurants, almost undrinkable.
I've tried twice to reply here, both times it has been disallowed by editorial, I guess. Why? I've replied other times over the last number of years with no problems. I even posted an article several years ago with RMD questions related to excess annuity income. I read Jonathan in the WSJ starting in the early 90s. Now I am not allowed to comment? A sad state of affairs and sure way to dwindle the HD audience. I assume this comment will also be deleted. Disappointing.
Comments
See above on my timeline and how I simply shifted to Starbucks when they took over a coffee space I was patronizing already in the 1980s.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
Wait until they start putting dirt in there and I just mindlessly brew that!
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
The coffee made with their beans tastes better than coffee made with some other beans. Still other beans probably taste better than Starbucks. I'm simply reporting my experience, guided by comparison, not marketing. It was not the latter that brought Starbucks to my attention, but the fact that they took over the business I had already been patronizing (Coffee Connection). I'm convinced the latter was better than Starbucks, but you can't drink old memories.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
I stand by my statement. "The literature" does not determine my biological experience. And note, I don't buy beverages or food in their stores, just beans to grind and brew my own coffee at home, which is not at all the focus of their marketing efforts.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
Indeed. Perhaps I was not clear above. It was Coffee Connection prior to the takeover that I was recalling with fondness.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
It's not simply marketing that accounts for all the difference. There's another bit of common wisdom that can also apply here: you get what you pay for.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
I must disagree. If I could enjoy, for example, Dunkin Donuts beans as much as Starbucks, I'd certainly opt for the cheaper bag. But there's a quite noticeable difference to my palate (I don't use sugar or flavorings, which might allow one to get away with inferior beans). If you really want a great cup of coffee, Dunkin and other mass-market choices don't provide it, at least in my experience.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 7, 2026
If only the disturbing ignorance you highlight regarding Social Security and Medicare were the only intellectual drag on current society; I fear it is but the tip of the iceberg.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
I've been buying Starbucks beans ever since they took over the Coffee Connection in Cambridge, MA, in the 1980s. The Coffee Connection was the best, especially on those days when you could buy beans that had been roasted more than seven days ago for 50% off. But Starbucks beans have served well, for grinding at home and then pouring the hot water into my manual Melita pot via a cone filter. Collecting "stars," especially by paying through the phone app, usually results in several free bags over the course of the year (somewhat reduced now that "double star days" seem to have been trimmed back quite a bit in the reset of the rewards program this past March). The big splurge is during the Christmas sale, when beans can be 30% off. Then there's the free birthday drink, any size, which for me means the Venti Latte. Otherwise, I only buy beans at Starbucks, not being able to bring myself to pay the other prices on the menu. For great tasting coffee at home, I find Starbucks to offer great value. The problem, however, is that it makes most other coffee one encounters, even in many restaurants, almost undrinkable.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
I've tried twice to reply here, both times it has been disallowed by editorial, I guess. Why? I've replied other times over the last number of years with no problems. I even posted an article several years ago with RMD questions related to excess annuity income. I read Jonathan in the WSJ starting in the early 90s. Now I am not allowed to comment? A sad state of affairs and sure way to dwindle the HD audience. I assume this comment will also be deleted. Disappointing.
Post: Tax Smart Retirement
Link to comment from March 9, 2026