As far as big-box brand bean broilers go, something draws my taste buds toward Starbucks mermaid grinds over all the others. But as I stated in my Dirty Water manifesto, I’m giving up purchasing overpriced cups from the fishtailed temptress’s brick and mortar stores. That doesn’t mean I can’t buy a namesake bag and steep’em myself. So on the recommendation of Hey Life, WTF? Subscriber David R, I’m trying Starbucks, French Roast. (Although I’m forgoing his suggested visit to Costco to buy’em. I’d go in for coffee, and come out with a garden furniture set).
So these beans are black, not dark brown or caramel, but black and oily. What’s up with that? I wonder if bean brokers are greasing their goods in extra caffeine like Phillip Morris spiked their smokes with nicotine? Running these chunky buggers through the grinder filled my kitchen with a sweet smell of sunup satisfaction. However, the smoky chocolate smell turned earthy when I added hot water. I just realized I might judge the taste of coffee on how it smells more than how it tastes. Before the first sip, this cup looks to be a toss-up.
Like a mob snitch tossed in “the river,” my splash of moo milk sunk to the bottom of my mug never to be seen again. Was this a bad omen? The flavor was bitter but not offensive. There’s a spice or herbiness to this brew. Slight notes of cocoa morphed into a fur coat on the back of the tongue. Kinda makes me wanna brush my teeth. Strange how it doesn’t taste like the instore brew; it’s got its own thing going on. Overall, not bad, but not a favorite. I’ll continue looking, grateful for the recommendation, but the search continues for that perfect bean!
Ha!!! “Fur coat on the back of the tongue.”