It's been ages since I've been this in love with anything from Starbucks. Even my yearly passion with Christmas (Holiday) Blend has waned in recent years as the blends have just become more and more indistinguishable. This all changed a couple of weeks ago when I walked into a Starbucks I haven't been to in ages.
I guess it's appropriate because this Starbucks location was my first Starbucks. It's down the street from Michael's elementary school, and the nearest one to the school Zoe just started attending. They were sampling this year's Anniversary Blend brewed up in a French press, and it took me back--back to my first cup of Sumatra, my first Christmas Blend, and just about every Starbucks first--all in one sip. The 35th Anniversary blend is a combination of the Asian and Pacific coffees along with some Indonesian beans thrown in for good measure. All I know is it's yummy. And now that mornings are starting at 6 or 6:30 instead of 8 or 9, anything that kick starts my morning is going to be a big bonus.
My son picked up two pounds for me yesterday, and I'm a happy camper. Now I just have to find a store that's sampling the Pike's Blend. I'm hesitant to plunk down the cash because it's a blend of Latin coffees, and if it takes like Columbian or some of the other coffees I can't stand, it'll be a waste of half a pound of coffee. But it's the first time it's sold outside of the Northwest, so of course, I'm a little curious. However, if I never try the Pike's Blend, I won't worry. I found my new favorite--at least until Christmas.
And my cup is empty, so I'm off to refill.
Gotta split,
Angel
Starbucks began offering its trio of holiday drinks just around Veteran's Day--the eggnog latte, the peppermint mocha, and the gingerbread latte. This event begins my celebration of the holiday season. While I'm not an eggnog drinker, and I don't do peppermint, I put aside my preoccupation with caramel sauce lattes and mochas with a hint of nutmeg to indulge in the limited-time offering of gingerbread lattes. I let Michael have one several years back, and he was hooked. Mid-October, he will start asking the baristas when the gingerbread lattes will arrive, even though he knows the answer. When they finally are allowed to start making them, it marks the beginning of lights, presents, Thanksgiving, Christmas, shopping, and all.
Way back when, I didn't even drink the coffee as much as I drank the Chai Teas. Then one day without warning, Starbucks completely changed the recipe. I was lost. Then three years ago, I tried the gingerbread latte, and omigod. If there was a way to liquify gingerbread and drink it, Starbucks found it.
The very first one of the season is special; the smell hits me, and I know I'm home. And I'll be the one finishing off the last syrup bottle in January store by store, long after the stores take them off the menu boards. I've even been sad enough to ask if my regular stores knew of which stores had too much syrup so I could order them later in the season.
As much as I am enjoying the gingerbread lattes, I will say I'm very disappointed in this year's version of Christmas Blend. While I expected a brew reminiscent of holiday spices, my first two cups have been far too common--something I could have bought at Trader Joe's any time of the year. I even ordered one today after my first one last night, because I was sure the store I went to had mislabeled a batch of something South American.
It's ok, though, because I don't really need to be going to Starbucks TWICE a day, nor do I need the feeling of being torn between the drip and the gingerbread latte. There are only five weeks left in the year, so I will be happy with one holiday drink during that time.
