Starbucks Filter Coffee

[Bletchleyite]

I'm usually quite partial to this (strong but smoother than the espresso based stuff), but the last 4 times I've gone into one there's been none on. It also seems (as I asked one) that the staff have been instructed no longer to proactively offer an Americano at the same price, though they'll still do that if you ask them for it.

Are they phasing it out, or have I just encountered 4 separate shops with slightly lazy staff who couldn't be bothered putting it on?

Pret, by contrast, always seem to have it available.

 

[D6975]

I would suggest that you've visited 4 shops that you should be keeping well clear of.

(speaking as someone who has never bought an overpriced coffee from a firm well known for avoiding paying tax in the UK)

 

[trebor79]

Didn't even know they did filter coffe. I always go for that rather than the espresso based stuff if it's available, it's actually drinkable!

 

[Tetchytyke]

They normally have it on in the central Douglas shop, it's hit and miss in the suburban Douglas drive-through but that is normally staffed by kids. The main staff do recognise me as someone who buys it and apologise when it's not on, which makes me think not many others do.

I'm surprised they still offer it tbh- the other big chains don't.

 

[Iskra]

It’s a product with a niche following with certain demographics in certain places. It’s probably a case of staff not putting it on due to perceived lack of demand in stores where it is only requested infrequently. Of course, doing that is brand-damaging and it’s a product with an incredibly high profit margin, so wasting unsold filter isn’t going to cost a lot. What I would say is that most people who visit Starbucks are probably going there because they like real-expresso based coffee, not filter which is available quite commonly, so even having it as a product is a little interesting.

 

[James H]

I like the Pret filter coffee and it annoys me when it’s not available and the staff offer an americano at the same price as if they are doing you a favour - I much prefer the taste of the filter coffee and would choose if even if it wasn’t the cheapest option.

That’s not to say I don’t sometimes choose an espresso based drink but it depends on what I feel like at a particular time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It’s a product with a niche following with certain demographics in certain places. It’s probably a case of staff not putting it on due to perceived lack of demand in stores where it is only requested infrequently. Of course, doing that is brand-damaging and it’s a product with an incredibly high profit margin, so wasting unsold filter isn’t going to cost a lot. What I would say is that most people who visit Starbucks are probably going there because they like real-expresso based coffee, not filter which is available quite commonly.

Costa did it for a bit but dropped it. Pret does do it, though the market there is probably a bit different - the food is the main event, a coffee is an upsell, even a cheap one.

 

[Iskra]

Costa did it for a bit but dropped it. Pret does do it, though the market there is probably a bit different - the food is the main event, a coffee is an upsell, even a cheap one.

It’s not though, if someone goes in for an Americano, but comes out with a Filter, it’s actually a downsell…

Costa are replacing Filter at some point.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It’s not though, if someone goes in for an Americano, but comes out with a Filter, it’s actually a downsell…

Costa are replacing Filter at some point.

I'm talking about Pret. Most people go in for food. An incidental 99p coffee is an upsell. An Americano for three quid is more of an upsell, of course, but you may not sell it at all.

 

[Iskra]

I'm talking about Pret. Most people go in for food. An incidental 99p coffee is an upsell. An Americano for three quid is more of an upsell, of course, but you may not sell it at all.

I see your point, but Pret theoretically caters for the discerning customer, who would probably rather pay the extra £2 to have something a bit better than filter. However, post-pandemic and with the working from home boom, my insights into Pret’s typical customer may be no longer accurate.

 

[LowLevel]

I see your point, but Pret theoretically caters for the discerning customer, who would probably rather pay the extra £2 to have something a bit better than filter. However, post-pandemic and with the working from home boom, my insights into Pret’s typical customer may be no longer accurate.

What's better than filter anyway? Unless you strike lucky the vast majority of people murdering coffee on a barista kit should be allowed nowhere near it.

Filter, provided you follow basic instructions, is consistently strong, dark and tasty.

I always go for filter when it's available.

 

[Iskra]

What's better than filter anyway? Unless you strike lucky the vast majority of people murdering coffee on a barista kit should be allowed nowhere near it.

Filter, provided you follow basic instructions, is consistently strong, dark and tasty.

I always go for filter when it's available.

A Flat Black, in my opinion. Stronger and sweeter than an Americano …when done properly.

I’m not convinced about filter- it’s alright for those that just want anything hot to warm them up, or something cheap to sit with while working on a laptop, but perhaps I’ve just drunk so much coffee that only the really strong stuff does anything for me. I even think a Starbucks Americano is like dishwater to be honest, can’t ever remember having one served with a crema on it and it tasting decent (in the UK, I like it more in the US).

 

[James H]

incidental 99p coffee is an upsell

£1.40 these days

 

[philosopher]

What's better than filter anyway? Unless you strike lucky the vast majority of people murdering coffee on a barista kit should be allowed nowhere near it.

A coffee pod machine such as a Nespresso or Lavazza machine is probably the best option for those who want better than instant coffee at home. It is pretty much impossible to screw up using one of those machines.

 

[Iskra]

A coffee pod machine such as a Nespresso or Lavazza machine is probably the best option for those who want better than instant coffee at home. It is pretty much impossible to screw up using one of those machines.

Agreed, tastes better than Filter too. Probably a similar price.

 

[DelayRepay]

I drink filter coffee at home. I find it's fine unless you leave it standing for too long. I think the mistake a lot of people make is not keeping the coffee in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

I also have a Tassimo machine but I don't use it. I didn't think the coffee was great, and the amount of plastic waste from the pods was concerning. Yes I know you can send them away to be recycled but it's better not to produce waste in the first place.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I drink filter coffee at home. I find it's fine unless you leave it standing for too long. I think the mistake a lot of people make is not keeping the coffee in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Also helps to keep it in the fridge or even the freezer. I think people think that because tea keeps basically forever in an open box in the cupboard (because it's totally dried) coffee does as well (it doesn't as it's more moist with oils etc).

I also have a Tassimo machine but I don't use it. I didn't think the coffee was great, and the amount of plastic waste from the pods was concerning. Yes I know you can send them away to be recycled but it's better not to produce waste in the first place.

Agreed. For at home the cheapest decent way is probably a cafetiere.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Starbucks filter is loads nicer than their americano, although oddly I find their espresso the best of any of the big chains. Costa is awful.

At home I have a venerable reconditioned Francis Francis X1 that somehow hasn’t died yet but makes great espresso. One of the varieties of beans from Lidl is pretty good, though I try to stock up when I’m in any of my favourite coffee shops, eg Gordon Street Coffee in Glasgow, Full Court Press in Bristol. I also use ground coffee with a V60 which I suppose is effectively filter coffee, just with better portion control

 

[DelW]

Agreed. For at home the cheapest decent way is probably a cafetiere.

Since I'm normally only making one mugfull at a time, this works just the same and minimises washing up:

Zyliss Hot Mug Cafetière Mug – Brew & Drink On the Go

Enjoy barista-quality coffee on the go with the Zyliss Hot Mug Brew and Travel Mug. Simply add ground coffee, pour in hot water, and press the fine mesh filter for a smooth, rich brew—no need to remove grounds. The double-wall insulation keeps your drink hot for longer, while the fine mesh...

zyliss.co.uk

(A mug with a filter press like a cafetiere)

Edited to add:

Also helps to keep it in the fridge or even the freezer. I think people think that because tea keeps basically forever in an open box in the cupboard (because it's totally dried) coffee does as well (it doesn't as it's more moist with oils etc).

Having just made a mug of coffee, I note that the package says "do not refrigerate" (Cafe Direct). Though it also says "use within two weeks" and I ignore that, or I'd be throwing away a lot of unused coffee.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I’m not convinced about filter- it’s alright for those that just want anything hot to warm them up, or something cheap to sit with while working on a laptop, but perhaps I’ve just drunk so much coffee that only the really strong stuff does anything for me.

As with everything, it depends on the filter.

In proper independent coffee shops- my favourite examples being North Tea Power in Manchester and Pumphrey's in Newcastle's Grainger Market- a proper filter brewed fresh on an Aeropress or a V60 is better than any espresso-based product.

I prefer Starbucks filter to Starbucks espresso, but then Starbucks machines- for all the bells and whistles- are basically just bean-to-cup machines. Which is fine, but we have one of those in our office and it's not very exciting.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I prefer Starbucks filter to Starbucks espresso, but then Starbucks machines- for all the bells and whistles- are basically just bean-to-cup machines. Which is fine, but we have one of those in our office and it's not very exciting.

The upside of the B2C machines is that unlike Costa etc badly trained "baristas" can't stuff it up. That's also why McD's coffee is quite good - the only thing you need to do right with B2C machines is clean them properly, and McD's are obsessive about cleaning.

 

[Busaholic]

Agreed, tastes better than Filter too. Probably a similar price.

Around 30p per pod, a bit more for certain brands, often on 'special offer' so 25p or so: larger packs than the usual 10 pods can be quite a bit cheaper but the supermarkets seem strangely reluctant to stock them.

 

[bspahh]

Around 30p per pod, a bit more for certain brands, often on 'special offer' so 25p or so: larger packs than the usual 10 pods can be quite a bit cheaper but the supermarkets seem strangely reluctant to stock them.

Nespresso tweeted that 150 capsules include 800g of coffee and 500g of packaging.

Each pod has ~5g of coffee. Even Aldi charge £1.35 for 10 pods, while a 227g bag of ground Sainbury's coffee is £2.80, and comes with a lot less packaging.

 

[johncrossley]

Did any of the coffee drinkers on here start drinking it regularly after coffee chains became widespread in the UK? I've avoided coffee shops so far, because I could see how they could potentially become a drain on cash. I don't feel as if I'm missing out.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Did any of the coffee drinkers on here start drinking it regularly after coffee chains became widespread in the UK? I've avoided coffee shops so far, because I could see how they could potentially become a drain on cash. I don't feel as if I'm missing out.

Coffee shops are quite handy as a way of sitting down for a rest or meeting someone that aren't a pub and don't involve alcohol. That's always something the UK has lacked. Thus they stepped into an area of business that was basically untapped.

No, they didn't make me drink coffee, I did before they were really a thing.

 

[Ediswan]

Coffee shops are quite handy as a way of sitting down for a rest or meeting someone that aren't a pub and don't involve alcohol. That's always something the UK has lacked. Thus they stepped into an area of business that was basically untapped.

There were plenty of cafes before the coffee chains arrived.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There were plenty of cafes before the coffee chains arrived.

There were, but they don't quite fulfil the same role. The likes of the Bucks are quite happy with people sitting around for a fairly long time even with minimal purchase - they're much more like a non-alcoholic pub as such. Cafes tend to be more oriented towards the sale of food and turning over tables a bit more quickly. It's not a 100% distinction, but it's there - they aren't *quite* in the same business even if there's some overlap. And there are variants that really do blur the boundary e.g. Pret.

I've sat and worked all day in a Costa and a Starbucks, and they're fine with that, lots of people do it, including conference calls and the likes. The unwritten rule is just to keep a drink on the go, I normally alternate coffee and a soft drink of some sort, and if I'm there over lunch have that there too. I've also done it in a 'Spoons (not drinking alcohol). Most tearooms and cafes wouldn't be happy with that.

 

[Busaholic]

Coffee shops are quite handy as a way of sitting down for a rest or meeting someone that aren't a pub and don't involve alcohol. That's always something the UK has lacked. Thus they stepped into an area of business that was basically untapped.

No, they didn't make me drink coffee, I did before they were really a thing.

The lack of alcohol certainly keeps away the sort of people (mainly men) who make a nuisance of themselves in too many pubs, certainly in my part of the world where other bars rarely last beyond a year or two.

It's also good that all ages and both sexes feel comfortable there. Out-of-control screaming kids can sometimes be an issue, but they can in my local Spoons too. It's a shame the model hasn't in the main extended to proper evening hours, other than motorway service areas and a minority of city sites.

Lest we forget, caffeine can be as addictive as alcohol though, but with usually much less destructive consequences!

 

[Iskra]

The lack of alcohol certainly keeps away the sort of people (mainly men) who make a nuisance of themselves in too many pubs, certainly in my part of the world where other bars rarely last beyond a year or two.

It's also good that all ages and both sexes feel comfortable there. Out-of-control screaming kids can sometimes be an issue, but they can in my local Spoons too. It's a shame the model hasn't in the main extended to proper evening hours, other than motorway service areas and a minority of city sites.

Lest we forget, caffeine can be as addictive as alcohol though, but with usually much less destructive consequences!

You normally find longer opening hours at Drive Thru stores, so these tend to be open well into the evening.

 

[Bletchleyite]

You normally find longer opening hours at Drive Thru stores, so these tend to be open well into the evening.

This does make some sense. There are essentially two markets - meeting people/somewhere to sit without alcohol, and keeping drivers awake. The former is only really substantial in size during the day, for shoppers who usually travel by car so don't want alcohol, for older teens (to an extent, they mostly seem to prefer Maccies) and for business users. In the evening those people have mostly gone home or to the actual pub. The latter is very much needed out of hours.

The demand for an actual temperance bar in the evening is, outside of Muslim areas where the mosque tends to offer a substitute for such a facility (though you do get e.g. juice bars and shisha bars), fairly low.