Coffee Addicts Unite!

I had my first toffee nut latte of the season on Thursday, and thought of you, WebyJ! 

Awww.... 

I had one on Wednesday...it was heaven!!! I've been jonesing for another ever since and wouldn't you know the next chance I have to get on is Wednesday  when we're in London <sigh>

This may be (slightly) off topic. It seems that most people here seem to favour Starbucks coffee... I actually prefer Seattle's Best.. And now, Starbucks has bought the Seattle's Best company I thought I'd see some Seattle's Best Beans in the UK. Anyone found any.... Or any other Seattle's Best fans out there??

Going to the states in a couple of weeks, I may just have to bring a load home..

Lisa

I actually think that Starbucks isn't that great coffee, but I think it's better than any of the other chains and most independent (not all) coffee you can get here.  Plus, they have more of an attitude of tailoring something to what you like.  It's not bad coffee, but it's not the best.  We used to go there a lot more when we were living with the inlaws just to get out of the house.  We go occassionally now when we're out or at this time of year to get the Christmas drinks which are quite nice.

For our home maker, we buy Sainsbury's Taste the Difference or Taylor's (if I am drinking decaf).  Once in a while someone sends me Green Mountain Coffee, which while isn't the best coffee I've ever had, reminds me of home is better than Starbucks, IMO.  Heck, when I was in the US, I thought 8 o'Clock coffee was better than Starbucks, and I wasn't alone.

That said, I am grateful that Starbucks is around.  I don't think we'd get decent coffee out 9 times out of 10 if they weren't about. I also don't think that coffee culture would be what it is here if it weren't for them.

We patronize Starbucks mainly because in the US they're just about the only coffee chain that offers you proper cups or mugs (well, you do have to ask). Despise the cardboard jobs. Our routine is to go to Starbucks, order the coffee "for here" and get a newspaper. Then we sit there (in comfy chairs if available!), read the paper and do the crossword together. It's also a time for talking, which doesn't happen if we have coffee at home.
The only other chain in this area that has mugs is Panera, which is OK but not so wild for their coffee.

I don't know if we talked about this, but does anyone use a capsule/pod coffee machine?

I have a Tassimo, but also think the Nespresso does really nice coffee. I chose a Tassimo because they do the Starbucks range, and you can get the pods at the supermarket, and its cheap! £1.86 for 8 pods...cheaper than going to Starbucks everyday! I really love their coffee.

I actually think that Starbucks isn't that great coffee, but I think it's better than any of the other chains and most independent (not all) coffee you can get here.  Plus, they have more of an attitude of tailoring something to what you like.  It's not bad coffee, but it's not the best.  We used to go there a lot more when we were living with the inlaws just to get out of the house.  We go occassionally now when we're out or at this time of year to get the Christmas drinks which are quite nice.

That said, I am grateful that Starbucks is around.  I don't think we'd get decent coffee out 9 times out of 10 if they weren't about. I also don't think that coffee culture would be what it is here if it weren't for them.

I completely agree. Right now I'm visiting family in California and able to pick up some Seattle's Best coffee to bring back to London. I will be savoring that bag of coffee for awhile. 

I am so excited..we are going thru Gatwick North next Monday and there is a Starbuck's there and I get to have a Eggnog Latte.....

Plus they are opening one FINALLY on the IOM!!!

I am so excited..we are going thru Gatwick North next Monday and there is a Starbuck's there and I get to have a Eggnog Latte.....

Plus they are opening one FINALLY on the IOM!!!

Yea!!!!

I'm lucky that there's one in Derby City Centre, but by the time I get the bus into town to get the coffee it basically doubles the cost of the coffee!!! So hopefully yours will be close by!

For those interested you can buy the Gingerbread Syrup & the Toffee Nut syrup at Starbucks at £3.50 a bottle it's pretty good since it'll cost you almost that much for 1 coffee.

For those interested Taylors of Harrogate is giving away 50 packs of their Christmas Blend and a free Aero Press to each winner. Enter here: http://www.taylorscoffee.co.uk/christmas10-draw.html

For those interested Taylors of Harrogate is giving away 50 packs of their Christmas Blend and a free Aero Press to each winner. Enter here: http://www.taylorscoffee.co.uk/christmas10-draw.html

Thanks!! I entered!!   
I love Christmas blend coffees!

Though I must say, I am really enjoying the pumpkin spice coffee my friend sent me through the post. 

Has anyone tried this Aero Press thingie? Is it any good? Do you end up with grounds at the bottom of your cup?

Has anyone tried this Aero Press thingie? Is it any good? Do you end up with grounds at the bottom of your cup?

They have a demo video:
http://www.taylorscoffee.co.uk/aeropress-video.html According to the Demo,it uses a tiny filter and there's no bits at all.

I totally busted out the starbucks christmas blend this morning...It will take me a bit to figure out how to work my grinder built into my machine b/c I dont know how much goes in!

yumm

I purchased a bag of Taylor's of Harrogate Christmas Blend and it's quite nice. Very smooth, chocolatey (it has Sumatra & Arabica beans) and bold flavour. But not overpowering. A good cup o joe!

I enjoy the Taylors of Harrogate Christmas Blend as well.