Coffee round the world (or why I love Starbucks even more when I’m abroad)

This post will come as no surprise to anyone who even remotely knows me.

Ok.  I admit it.  I’m addicted to coffee.  Specifically iced coffee.  At home I drink 1-3 large cups a day.  Each country has its own special type of coffee or coffee ritual.  In Albania, men sit around alternately sipping small cups of coffee and rakia (a grappa/ouzo type of alcohol).  Turkish coffee is very thick coffee with the grinds at the bottom.  Some Turks read their fortune by observing the pattern of grinds in the bottom of the cup.

The British drink tea (but coffee is becoming very popular).  Italians slurp cappuccinos in the morning, and espresso for the rest of the day.

Bosnian coffee is a ritual in itself.

The Vietnamese also do great coffee.  And they even do iced coffee.  But their iced  coffee is a short dose of strong coffee mixed with very sweet, condensed milk.  It’s delicious, but isn’t a substitute for cold brewed coffee over ice.

And I have enjoyed all of these coffees.  They are delicious.  Yet, as much as I like them, they’re not a replacement for the iced coffee that I continuously crave.

But iced coffee, as Americans know it, doesn’t really exist elsewhere.  Australian iced coffee is usually coffee flavored whole milk that necessitates a trip to the bathroom.  Vietnamese and Cambodian iced coffee is served with super sweet condensed milk, and is gone after about 2 sips.  In Europe, iced coffee is some combination of coffee flavoring, cold milk, ice cream, whipped cream, and – if you’re lucky- a touch of espresso or a sprinkling of iced cubes.

When I order iced coffee, it’s because I crave a cold dose of caffeine, not a coffee flavored ice cream sundae.

But Starbucks recipes are universal.  There’s something to be said for quality control and establishing certain standards in international corporations.  When I order a venti iced 3 pump nonfat white chocolate mocha, 95% of the time, it’s going to taste the same, regardless of whether I’m in Taipei,  Prague or Worcester.      When I complained about my coffee in Manila, they happily remade it for me, free of charge.

Additionally, Starbucks always has free wifi.  We often needed to use wifi for hours at a time to pay bills, book accommodation, and update the blog.  Sitting in a cafe, sipping a coffee makes things like paying bills more enjoyable.  I sometimes get strange looks sitting in cafes, nursing one coffee for 2 hours, but Starbucks is used to people doing this.  We sought out a Starbucks in Asia, in order to stream a live Patriots game during a long layover.

I know a lot of people say that Starbucks doesn’t have good coffee; this is just my opinion.  I like their product.

I accept that there might be some kind of obsession here.  I’ve booked hotels based on their vicinity to Starbucks.  In Malaysia, I ran two miles in 90+degree weather on the highway to go to Starbucks.  Regrettably, I walked out the door with my drink, and promptly dropped it.  But, the very nice staff made me another one for free.  Once, during our trip, I even suggested we travel to a country we were never even considering, because it was pumpkin spiced latte season, and I really, really wanted one.  So, we went to Bulgaria.

Plus, we have come across some beautiful Starbucks. The one in Bebek, Turkey is right on the Bosphorus, and each of its four levels has an outside terrace overlooking the water.

A Starbucks in Salzburg had ancient ruins next to the bathrooms.  In Paris, one store looked as if it belonged in a museum, the walls all frescoed, and the ceilings adorned with chandeliers.

My fanatical infatuation with this Seattle coffee chain hasn’t prevented me from experiencing or enjoying the coffee cultures of other countries.  I love trying the local coffee.  But, when I want something iced, a reminder of home, or a place I can sit and use free wifi for an hour, I head for the green awning.