It is difficult to comprehend, but prior to Starbucks entering the scene, coffee was not popular.
Today, it is common to see numerous coffee shops vying for patrons in any high street, mall, or leisure area.
Despite its incredibly expensive costs, Starbucks always manages to remain the most successful.
It is not a coincidence that you frequently go to Starbucks. The company is highly proficient at attracting business, and they do it with remarkable skill.
Get some coffee, get comfortable and read further to discover the method they employ.
It is astonishing, but it was not until Starbucks debuted that coffee became a widely popular beverage.
These days, there is an abundance of coffee shops competing with each other to be noticed on every main street, shopping center, and recreational area.
Although Starbucks’ prices are absurdly high, it always manages to remain successful.
If you always find yourself going to Starbucks, it is not without purpose. The firm is expert in attracting business, and performs the task remarkably well.
Go get some coffee, take a seat and continue reading to learn how they accomplish it.
Reasons Why Starbucks Remains Popular
There is no single factor that is responsible for the attractiveness of Starbucks. It is a fusion of numerous distinct factors, so let us discuss each one separately.
The brand itself and its history
Starbucks began in Seattle in 1971 as a shop selling coffee beans. Not until 1987 did it change into a coffee shop.
The business was the first to establish an informal atmosphere where one could relish in a nice cup of coffee.
Prior to that time, it was customary to only find coffee served in restaurants and similar eateries.
The coffeehouse idea was extremely admired and quickly Starbucks grew to have locations nationwide and in other countries.
At the same time, other people saw how successful this thought was and started founding their own coffee shops and franchises.
Despite this, Starbucks has remained resilient and no other coffee chain has achieved the same degree of recognition.
Statista reported that in the USA during 2020, approximately 37,000 coffee shops existed.
According to Financial Online, there are 8,941 Starbucks stores that are company-run and 6,387 which are licensed, amounting to a total of 15,327 outlets. Starbucks is a big deal.
Starbucks is still the most significant coffee concern globally, and aficionados are still dedicated to the company.
Whenever we need to search online or grab a tissue, the terms “Google” and “Kleenex” come to mind respectively. Similarly, when the topic of a cup of coffee is discussed, the name “Starbucks” quickly appears in our minds. It’s a household name.
The unique Starbucks look
Every effort has been made to design Starbucks outlets in a way that people feel invited and welcomed.
Other coffee shops have tried to copy it, however they have not been able to replicate the skill. Alternative coffee shops may be less expensive but they don’t make a real effort to be aesthetically pleasing, for example McDonald’s and its glaring fluorescent lighting.
The personnel with a pleasant disposition is rigorously trained to ensure that every person feels welcomed. No matter if one is a tired mom hauling three kids around or a metropolitan person in need of caffeine and a socket to plug in, they will be welcomed with equal hospitality.
The few extra dollars that you spend on a Starbucks beverage are contributing to the unique atmosphere and experience you’re getting.
You may disagree with me if all you ever get from Starbucks is coffee to go, but in my opinion, the quick and efficient service makes it worth it.
A touch of affordable luxury
Many people lack the financial means to purchase a deluxe sports car or to eat at a Michelin Star eatery, yet nearly everyone can manage to get a cup of joe once in a while.
Getting a fancy coffee from Starbucks can be a luxurious experience, but it won’t put you in the red.
You can treat yourself to one of Starbucks’ scrumptious coffee drinks (including cream if you please!), settle into one of their nice lavish armchairs, and take a few enjoyable moments all to yourself.
Prefer take-out coffee? Wearing a Starbucks cup can be seen as a representation of one’s statement. Celebrities do it, but so can you!
Familiar consistency
Entering any Starbucks you can find globally will give you a recognizable scene.
The employees wearing green aprons, the menu written on a chalkboard, the illuminated atmosphere, and the comfortable chairs are all found in the establishment. You know what you’re getting when you go there.
Some individuals bemoan the look of sameness, while others yearn for the dependability that a particular brand offers.
If someone is in an unfamiliar place or a foreign nation, this is especially the case. Starbucks feels like home.
Customizable drinks
If the branding and atmosphere don’t make you feel special enough, then having a drink tailored to your specifications will make you feel extraordinary.
Starbucks has a wide variety of drinks on its menu, with Italian-inspired names, but you are totally able to customize your order to your own liking.
Starbucks encourages people to get creative with their drinks by providing a wide selection of syrups, various types of milk (like plant-based), and decorative toppings such as chocolate, nutmeg, and more.
Even the pickiest coffee connoisseur can easily locate what they are looking for with minimal effort.
If you enjoy Starbucks Frappuccinos, you can find out more about the different kinds of drinks available in this piece. The Frappuccino is probably the most famous customizable beverage.
Work or relax in peace
The majority of restaurants would like you to finish your food and leave the table so another customer can take your place. Bars and pubs are pleased when you stay and continue to buy drinks.
This is where Starbucks bucks the trend. The atmosphere in their coffee shops is designed to encourage you to stay for a while.
Want to work somewhere different for a few hours? Starbucks offers you the opportunity to get your work done in exchange for buying one of their coffees, as they have strategically placed power outlets.
If you’d like to read a good book, go ahead and buy your preferred coffee, find a cozy seat, and start your reading!
Nobody will disturb you or ask that you spend more money.
Some Unpopular Opinions: Why Starbucks Is Bad
The explanation behind why Starbucks is so popular can be attributed to a combination of factors, not just the taste of its coffee which is generally bitter and stale due to its over-roasting, but also its business model that prioritizes large companies over small businesses and its tendency to shape the coffee shop landscape and its lasting influence.
Taste
The main problem with Starbucks is that their coffee doesn’t taste good. The procedures employed are considered to be far below par by anyone with even a basic understanding of coffee. Anyone who has tried a direct, undiluted espresso from one of their locations.
However, it is also an exceptionally prosperous series. So, what’s the deal with that?
In conclusion, caffeine content is more important to Starbucks than the flavour of the coffee. They take old coffee beans that are too dark and cover up the taste with a variety of sweet, creamy, and high-calorie drinks.
Essentially, when people are looking for a significant energy boost via a sweet-tasting caffeine source and they’re confident they will get the same great result regardless of the store, it’s likely to be a profitable venture.
Can you blame them?
In my opinion, people ignore the unsatisfactory quality of the actual coffee due to a lack of familiarity with what a good cup of coffee should taste like. Let’s look at why.
The Coffee Beans They Use Are Stale
The primary issue with Starbucks coffee is that it has a lack of freshness. Put simply, they are employing beans that have been roasted a long time ago.
It can be challenging to locate much concrete proof of how recently brewed Starbucks coffee is since they are not eager to reveal this information – which is an unfavorable indication itself.
For reference, coffee goes stale pretty fast. You should drink your coffee beans within a month of roasting in order to preserve their quality; 15 days is preferable. Beyond that time period, the flavor will significantly deteriorate.
I am familiar with skilled baristas from exceptional coffeehouses that only prepare beans within a few days post-roasting. Any reputable online or local roaster will have labeled their bags of coffee beans with the roasting date, so that you can be sure it has been freshly roasted.
I frequently inform people that it’s a breeze to produce superior coffee at home compared to the coffee available from Starbucks and other well-known coffee shops.
If you fancy having freshly brewed coffee every morning without having to break the bank, then you’ve come to the appropriate spot.
You merely have to recognize there is one matter you should take care of, the problem is that nobody outside of those passionate about coffee ever discusses it.
I became so interested on the subject that I composed a comprehensive article detailing it, here is the link to the article.
It is essential that you read something about coffee brewing – if you only read one thing, make sure it is this.
Let’s look at the evidence we can find then. There is no indication of when the coffee beans they offer were roasted. This is helpful when it is essential to make a lot of coffee beans and then put them on the market. Not the taste.
Not specifying a roasting date eliminates any deadlines for selling coffee beans. The arrangements become less complicated and you don’t spend money unwisely when you have to discard large amounts of expired beans.
The most compelling indication of the quality of Starbucks espresso is its flavor. Try one with nothing else in it. It just doesn’t taste fresh.
Do you have any acquaintances that request just espresso when they visit SB’s? No, me neither.
They Over-Roast Their Coffee Beans
Starbucks typically brews coffee made from beans that are of a dark roast. Cooking is the procedure of changing the unroasted beans harvested from the Coffea plant into caffeinated coffee beans that are ready to be brewed.
The longer you cook ’em, the darker they get.
Roasting coffee to a dark level creates an enjoyable flavor in certain ways. It’s burnt, charred, and smoky. A taste many have come to associate with coffee.
This cooking process gets rid of the diverse and intense flavors that are normally found in coffee beans.
Nobody has ever come out of a Starbucks saying how they loved the floral and blueberry flavors in their latte, but that’s what coffee should taste like.
A light roast of coffee is an exciting journey into a new experience of both robust and mild flavors: a hint of spice, a hint of fruit, a hint of nuts, and the fragrance of a flower. Your taste buds will be delighted and invigorated.
The roasting of coffee to a dark degree gets rid of the dissimilarities between coffee beans grown in different places and at different times so that your coffee always has the same flavor.
Why do they do this? Well, it’s very easy to scale. It’s easy to make a consistent flavor by thoroughly roasting your coffee beans. It’s consistent, reliable, and cheap.
The reason why some people are calling this coffee shop “Charbucks” is due to the fact that their beans are roasted for a lengthy amount of time, producing a charred flavor.
The Over-Reliance On Sugar, Milk, And Cream
Why do people still go to the coffee shop if the beans they are using are stale and charred? The emphasis is on selling sweet drinks made with coffee rather than superior quality coffee.
People do not leave Starbucks with americano, espresso, and ristretto drinks.
They walk out with lattes, frappuccinos, and mochas. They created a beverage with a combination of caramel and milk, and borrowed the title from an Italian favorite. Yes, the macchiato is something completely different in Italy!
The appearance of the Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino is aesthetically pleasing, however, the taste is not as pleasing. It has a sour flavor.
These days, it has become commonplace for Starbucks to be associated with horrendous acts, as evidenced by these incidents.
It Has Changed What Is Expected About Coffee
Starbucks has become so widespread that it has had a major influence on what people think should be offered with coffee. Here are a couple of the more pernicious examples.