Some Starbucks customers anticipate Christmas Blend the way connoisseurs of French wine await each fall's Beaujolais Nouveau

Last year, Starbucks sold 1.5 million pounds of Christmas Blend, which often outsells its whole-bean coffees available year-round and in grocery stores.
Late each summer, when Starbucks' top coffee experts arrive at the proper blend, they carry a cup to the office of Chairman Howard Schultz, according to reporter Melissa Allison. He invariably has one of two reactions: "There's not enough aged coffee in it," or "Are you sure there's enough aged coffee in it?" (Seattle Times)

Comments

[RTD&Party]

I love the reactions we get from partners and customers when we talk about the aged Indonesian coffee beans in the Christmas/Holiday Blend.

"So basically you're saying this coffee is at least three years old?!"

I'm not really a fan of Christmas blend, but this is a lot better than last year's!

[Vicki Verona]

Last year's Christmas Blend was horrible....this year's is sooooo fantastic. Nice and spicy.

[Stuckinthedrivethru]

I agree... Last years was miserable but this year's makes me very happy.

[BURRISTA]

yeah i agree - the Christmas blend this year is awesome! the spiciness feels wonderful down the throat.

[Pat Nerr]

ya know... this year's reminds me of the one from 1993... and 96

[Joe O.]

And, remember, even last year's miserable excuse for Christmas blend was approved by Howard before it went into production.

[James the Barista]

One Word: Garland. I just want to say it rocks to break the Siren's Eye and put Window Garland where ever I want!

[Pat Nerr]

I always find it funny that people can even remember what one XMAS blend tasted like... year to year...

FYI folks... now is the time of year when Dave Olsen requests his special batch of Aged coffees to be roasted and delivered to his rarely occupied office... for when he gets back from yet another vacation...

for when he gets back from yet another vacation...

Jealous? Is it your business how many vacations someone takes?

[Pat Nerr]

jealous? Not really... pissed? Yes... Just letting folks know of the executive level of "entitlement". Execs on Part-Time status taking vacations... not really producing anything but work for roasters to toast a batch of Aged Coffee for personal use outside of the markout program and guidelines...

As a shareholder and a former partner... I'd say it's all of our business...

Now if the company is going to extend these luxuries to all employees at all levels, I'd have nothing to say

[Christine]

I have been counting the days of the arrival of Christmas Blend and plan on buying enough to last me until next holiday.

I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS BLEND!!!!

[miami_master]

um, yeah.
i heard it somewhere before... and this year really hit the nail on the head.
"christmas blend takes like you brewed a pot of copper pennies and dirt."

however, the espresso regalo... is excellent.

[short drip]

Youza! Ya'll are too bitter for me.

I was a starbucks customer for the 1st time in 10 years this morning (aka former partner)

It was awesome!

I did not know it was roll-out day and was indeed "surprised and delighted"

I, at 5:50am was treated to samples of hot gingerbread latte and greeted warmly.

Although I realize customers are allocating their spending differently these days, I do understand why those who have to choose between lunch and starbucks, invaribaly choose starbucks.

Yummy!!!!

well it took pat nerr almost an hour to respond, was he actually doing some work, or was it lunch time?

[Pat Nerr]

sorry... I was at Starbucks.com buying some XMAS blend and some mugs.

Can you let me know when you'll be here so I can coordinate from now on

[Jim]

I've never been very happy with Christmas blend. It's okay but Gold Coast is much better.

[seventysix [76]]

This will be my first time tasting Christmas Blend. Going to brew a pot right now!

seventysix [76]:
Passing cheer until the red cups disappear.
Haud ignota loquor
(Starbucks Rebel Alliance).

[BaristaB]

What is the Siren's Eye? I'm a (relatively) new partner and haven't done promo yet... does it have something to do with how the store is arranged?

I didn't taste the Christmas Blend yet, but this afternoon I went in for a midday treat and was immediately drawn to the new sparkly tumblers. Must have. SHINY!

[seventysix [76]]

Hi BaristaB!

Siren's Eye is the merchandise organization system that Starbucks uses. For each promotional phase, every store receives a promotional workbook, which includes the Siren's Eye guidelines for that phase. Siren's Eye will give visual guidelines for the arrangement of various retail items (wall bays, tables, baskets, etc.)

Hope this answered your question!

seventysix [76]

[chibux]

siren's eye is organic.

i love the christmas stuff, especially caramel praline muffin and andes brownies.

[jc]

pat nerr, don't you think it's about time you started using your real name?

You spent years with the company. You got screwed over? Or things just didn't work out? Whatever.

You seem to be appointing yourself resucuer of all the little people. Maybe not as many need rescued as you think. It's not the same company it was but many people just need a job.

Why not go start something better rather than sit here trashing what you don't like about big wigs.

[Chantal Marie Hernandez]

Darleen,

What was that thing on the door this morning?

[TCOFFEE]

Slightly off topic, perhaps, but nobody took a bite on my open-thread posting. Does anyone think this year's holiday website (itsredagain.com) is kinda lame? Last year's was corny, but fun, and the previous year's was very well designed, and was very fun to visit.

This year's is just...blah.

[FLASM]

I was more enthralled with starbucks.com/mycard than I was with itsredagain.

[Pat Nerr]

"It's not the same company it was but many people just need a job."

Now that's the kind of passion that will drive Starbucks to 30,000+ stores... I'm curious. Are you one of these little people you speak of?

This post was brought to you in less than 2 hours

[hmmm?]

Maybe I am out of the loop.. but what exactly is the Starbucks Rebel Alliance?
Just wondering.

[A bigger Hmmmm]

The starbucks rebel allaince is two people, led by Boston Starbucks Rebel and his sidekick Seventysix.

BSR posts using "Bostong Starbucks Rebel" and "Starbucks Geisha Boi".

Seventysix posts using that name and "Volusa" or something to that effect.

They think they are fooling everyone, but I'm sure by now almost everyone has caught on, and the only people they are fooling are themselves.....

FYI BSR and 76, you post from the same IP address (and "Volousa" used an email that directed to 76's Myspace page... to be posted later... by accident, I guess he forgot to take it off.)

Sorry, BSR and Miles. You guys are, well, busted.

[FLASM]

Wow. Um, are you stalking them?
Whatever the Starbucks Rebel Alliance is, I just appreciate their SBUX-related posts.

[Danni]

While I appreciate the flavor and complexity of Christmas blend, I really didn't enjoy the "complexity" of the Sirens Eye last night, nor the fact that it was expected I work today.

Getting off work at 6ish am and coming back by 11am, just because the RD "might" come by for a visit, is really REALLY annoying (especially because they didn't visit)

I am exhausted and going to bed.
I will probably wake up in a better mood tomorrow.
Cheers!

[chi-town's best/angriest barista]

i want to be part of the rebel alliance, cuz i'm a starbucks rebel too!
and the siren's eye kicked my ass! i was supposed to do the set up, but i ended up covering for a closer who pulled a no-call no-show and spent about 5 hours (in my street clothes) washing dishes, making prep and doing 4 trash runs while my ASM just dinked around. only to have to be back at work in less than 5 hours (on 3 hours of sleep.) awesome.
at least the closing shift from that night loves me even more now.

[Vicki Verona]

Sucks that your SMs scheduled your holiday sets to be overnight still. Dark sets aren't mandatory anymore.

We had a blast for our holiday set. 2 Shift supervisors and 2 baristas did it all on their own. I brought them some holiday treats and they were wearing Santa hats....

I love the decor this year.....Last year, it took us 30 hours of labor to complete it. This year it took us 20.

[Borrowed Partner]

Vicki-

The dark set is up tp your DM or RDO, at least here. I wouldn't have chosen the dark set if it were up to me!! Our market didn't have an option.

[Vicki Verona]

That's strange. It says that dark sets are optional in the promo workbook that I'm looking at. Do they regionalize the promo workbooks?

[Darleen]

The starbucks rebel allaince is two people, led by Boston Starbucks Rebel and his sidekick Seventysix.

Excuse me a bigger hmmmm, but have you never lived in a house with more than one person? 76 already said that his roomate also used the computer. 76 always posts respectful, honest posts with no animosity towards anyone. Boston starbucks rebel just likes to get a rise from people, it's called sarcasm. What is it with some of you guys? Most of the posts on here are not even related to the thread, they are just personal attacks. Grow up! Who cares when Pat Nerr responds? (although that last line of posting in two hours was pretty damn funny Pat) God, I sound just like my father. "Don't make me come in there" "Play nice"

[Pat Nerr]

Darleen... sorry I wasn't here to respond immediately to your post. I was busy making a video for today's Green Apron post

[Deusx]

I don't see why anyone would find it funny that someone would remember the taste of a past blend, it is no different from wine tasting and there are certainly distinctive enough blend of coffee as there are memorable wines.

Is it just me or is the heyday of incredibly entertaining repartee on this site gone? I just don't see as compelling of topics or discussions as there used to be..sigh..I miss the wobblies.

HIYA RICHIE!

[Pat Nerr]

it's funny because it's pretentious... and it's just coffee

[Dr Gonzo]

Why is everyone awaiting stale beans again? If it wasn't roasted within 7 days it's garbage.

[NewASM]

I wish we did the dark set. We were severely hampered by a full cafe and I think we would have been a lot faster if we had started after dark. Just my 2 cents.

[newasm]

After close I mean...it definitely was dark!

[hilary]

i agree about the complexity of the sirens eye. What is with all the diagrams? i didn't expect to have to become an oragami master. haha

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

First of all 76 and are not the same person. He lives in a completely different part of the country. I've talked to him online and he's very nice. And Darleen, yes I am kind of sarcastic its the way we are here in New England. Its takes intelligence to be sarcastic. I think the Espresso Rigalo is alot better than the Christmas Blend. I made myself a press and was like, WOW, absolutely wonderful. The Christmas/Holiday Blend was also very good and I enjoyed it. PASS THE BEER!

BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL
PRIMUS INTER PARES
STARBUCKS REBEL ALLIANCE
AIM SN: BOSTONSTARREBEL

And its, BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL. I am not a GBL or a SFCDL!

[The Bigger Hmmmm]

BSR, I never said that you and 76 were the same. Your alter ego (fancy way of saying other personality) is "Starbucks Geisha Boi". When the first person pointed that out was my "Aha!" moment, and apparently others agreed.

[Pat Nerr]

so BSR is also SGB? OMFG!

lol pat

[hmmm? the original]

I am starting to be sorry I asked.

[jc]

pat nerr
I was a little person - manager who quit.

[Herman M.]

Hello, Dr. G.

Roasted within 7 days? Of harvest? Of processing? Of delivery to the port here in the US? Please be a bit more specific for me. It would seem to indicate that you only drink coffee from a home grown tree, or when you travel to a coffee producing country and can watch someone pick your personal beans and then ensure they are in your cup within a week.

I know you didn't mean that. Right?

Even if you were in an origin country, the beans can sit on the drying tables or patios for that entire week to get them to the proper moisture content.

What you say is akin to "A fine cigar is only good if you smoke it within 7 days of harvest" or "WIne is only good in the first week after the grapes are pressed." And neither of those makes a lick of sense.

Now if you'd said "Coffee is only good within 7 days of ROASTING", I might even agree with you. That's why there are green beans and a roaster in my kitchen.

As for everyone else, Yes, this is much better than last year's rather uninspired, almost un-graced with aged beans blend. And Pat, my first taste of XMAS was '94 so that's always going to be hard for me to beat.

[Virginal Barista]

That is a ridiculous statement...it's f-cking coffee!

[seventysix [76]]

My old roommate posted on the name Volusia.

BSR and I are not one person. I'm much more pleasant than he is :)

Thank you Darleen for being such an amazing person and partner. Your kind words, thoughts, and contributions to this little website do not go unnoticed.

seventysix [76]
"Busted":
Starbucks Rebel Alliance
(Fighting against unionization):
Haud ignota loquor.

[Darleen]

Thank you Darleen for being such an amazing person and partner. Your kind words, thoughts, and contributions to this little website do not go unnoticed

Those are my exact sentiments to you too.

[Chantal Marie Hernandez]

I've been playing by the side and not taking sides... Until now.

Seventysix, why are you "Fighting against unionization"?

[Darleen]

Good Morning Chantal! I see you're up earlt this morning as well. Hope you have a marvelous day. Come by and have a nice hot cup of Christmas Blend with me, I'll be there at 9am, hope to see you!

[seventysix [76]]

I just feel that unionization is an unnecessary course of action for Starbucks as a company. While many employees might feel that many problems require a union to solve, I disagree.

[Dr Gonzo]

Herman, of course I meant it's garbage if it isn't brewed within 7 days of roasting.... Seriously, why is everyone so excited over this shit? I can go to my local roaster and get complex excellent coffee roasted fresh every day....

[Chantal Marie Hernandez]

While I will be the first to admit I have no idea how the inner-functions of the company work, I think that you are totally off. First of all, I followed another poster's advice and looked at your MySpace profile, and you are only 17. Maybe once you have been burned a few times by an employer or have had it happen to someone close to you, you will change your union-busting stance.

While it is totally your right to reject the idea of union representation, it is not fair to "fight against it" to other employees. Union representation is a fundamental right that is protected by numerous federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

If you ever do get promoted to a manager (again, I have no idea how that works because I do not know you nor your job performance) you are setting the state for a lawsuit if anyone EVER discovers this, because managers are not permitted to engage in union-busting. Be careful - and respect OTHERS' rights to organize.

I love this years xmas blend. I agree that Last years was horrible.

[Sarah]

Back to the Christmas Blend. I had a guy pre-order 35 pounds of it. He buys enough so he can do a French press of it every morning. People are nuts about this coffee! I agree, this year's is great. :)

[Anon]

"connoisseurs of French wine await each fall's Beaujolais Nouveau"?? Connoisseurs of French wines don't wait for the Beaujolais Nouveau, which is a made for export marketing scheme.