Fresh Brews: Return Of The Coffee Wars And Topless Coffee Shops

In this week’s round up of coffee blogs and news, Coffee Nate declares his own war on Starbucks, while Starbucks and McDonald’s both claim to be winning the coffee war. Meanwhile in a small town in Maine, a topless coffee shop that burnt down last spring is back up and running.

Coffee Blogs

Coffee Nate The CoffeeNate VIA™ vs. Starbucks® Brewed Coffee “Challenge”
When I tasted the Starbucks VIA last spring, I thought it was okay tasting and exceptional for being instant coffee. However, after hearing Nate’s tasting notes and this one, I’m going to have to go back and give it a second tasting.

Kettle & Cup Coffee Builds a School
I wish there were more stories like this one. The company behind this great story is Buena Beans. They bring coffee from La Violeta, Costa Rica to the American market and uses the profits to improve the local school.

Coffee Hero Caffeinated Classics: Transcendentalist Style
If you’re a bit of a bookworm, as well as a coffee fanatic: Alex Scofield has begun looking a references to coffee in some of the classics.

Coffee & Conservation Refilling K-cups, take 2: The My-Kap reusable lid
Have a K-cup brewer but want to use your own ground coffee or looking for a method that doesn’t use disposable single use plastic k-cups? Coffee & Conservation found a solid solution to the problem.

Coffee News

Topless coffee shop back in business
The Maine topless coffee shop that burned down in a suspicious fire last June is back. There’s a video with this story, but still no mention of how the coffee tastes…odd.

McDonald’s beverages set to exceed goals
Starbucks may be back on the positive side of the profit line, but that doesn’t mean McDonald’s is pulling out of the coffee game. The president of McDonaald’s announced that their espresso based drink sales beat expectations. Plus, they’re testing out new smoothies and frappes. First that I’ve heard of the frappes? Anyone try one? Part of me would like to try one.

Starbucks CEO: Via Instant Coffee Besting Expectations
Not to be outdone, Starbucks announced VIA Instant Coffee also beat expectations. But did it upset a lot of their partners and customers along the way?
Steaming Over Via Instant Coffee at Starbucks. (video)

Caribou Coffee: Sweeter bottom line with high-end chocolate?
Caribou Coffee is going premium. They’re going to be using chocolate from Guittard Chocolate of San Francisco. In the future, they’ll add more premium items to its menu, including premium oatmeal and baked-at-the-shop goodies. I always liked their chocolate flavored coffee drinks, but now I have even more reason to go back.

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Photo by johnyuhb.

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Tagged as: Caribou Coffee, McDonalds, Starbucks