If you are a follower of Grocery Alerts, you will know that we are big coffee drinkers at our house!
We are embarking on our first family holiday with our baby (2 month trip) and our first stop is in Seattle, WA. One of my favourite US cities.
Has anyone tried the new Costa Rica Finca Palmilera coffee from Starbucks?
This is only available in 48 locations across the US, so my fellow coffee lovers in Canada won’t be able to sample this up North so I wanted to try this on my trip.
Made from a rare, heirloom, hard-to-grow coffee bean called “Geisha,” the “Costa Rica Finca Palmilera” costs $40 for a half-pound bag, $6 for a tall cup and $7 for a grande (this is what I ordered). That’s how much a cup of Starbucks Geisha blend labeled Costa Rica Finca Palmilera costs coffee lovers.
I had to track it down at the First and Pine location (great spot in Seattle and close to Pike Place Market).
Many of my friends and family think I am crazy for spending over $2 for a cup of coffee, but before you judge, I had a free drink coupon – so I didn’t spend a cent (I am saving my money to buy some Columbian and Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee).
Now, if I had a taste test put in front of me of a variety of coffee blends, it would be difficult for me to tell which cup was more expensive. The coffee I tasted had a nice after taste and delicate nutty taste.
I also drank a Fair Trade Latin American Medium roast from Starbucks the next day in New Jersey (just a small hotel brew in the room) and also enjoyed it.
The thing is that even though I drink many types of coffee at home and on the road and it is tough to pinpoint coffee for most people (I couldn’t tell my Starbucks from another blend they have other than the acidity of some blends).
So why is Finca Palmilera coffee so expensive?
The beans are not only very rare, but are also extremely difficult to grow.
Do you think you could detect a $7 cup of coffee versus a $2 cup of coffee?
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10 Comments
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I have to be honest my good friend, no :)
Mark
I can taste the difference between a Tim Horton’s coffee and a Starbucks pike place. I prefer the Starbucks, however I would not pay $7 for it. Unless someone gave me a loaded Starbucks gift card with at least $20 on it. :D
“Now, if I had a taste test put in front of me of a variety of coffee blends, it would be difficult for me to tell which cup was more expensive.” That’s an extremely honest, modest response. I’m sure lots of snobs would be tempted to say “OH it was so good”, just like the “Emperor’s New Clothes”. You got it at a great price, too. I don’t mind spending a bit too much to try something new, so long as it’s generally accepted as very good, specifically hamburgers.
Thanks for your feedback! It was tough (we have an upcoming review for McDonalds ground coffee and it is pretty good).
I always like to shake it up and try something new.
No I would not pay that but if I had a coupon to try it for free then I would probably be curious. However I am like Nikki. I do not like Starbuck’s. Don’t like their coffee, they are over priced and yuppy. I buy cheap coffee such as Folgers or Maxwell House and enjoy it. As far as coffee shops go, just give me any coffee shop. I don’t even think Tim Hortons has awesome coffee as many people do. Over-rated coffee with an after taste. Anyone spending $7 for a cup of coffee has too much money on their hands and or is nuts. lol
If you have 7$ for a coffee you must make at least a million a year,Starbucks coffee tastes like fis and burned coffee.
Absolutely… the $7 cup of coffee is the one I refused to buy and the one that folks are crying away their blues into :-)
Cheers,
Tracy
Absolutely not! In fact, I don’t really even like Starbuck’s. That being said, I do splurge once or twice a year for their pumpkin spice latte…. mmmmmm.
Nikki, this coffee was fabulous (I am not sure I would pay $7 though).
I did pay $3 for a cup of coffee in Jamaica (Montego Bay) for Blue Mountain beans but it is expensive there.