10 Secrets Starbuck Employees Want You To Know

I. Love. Starbucks!

I know how ridiculously expensive it is to go there almost daily… but I still do it because – and I cannot overstate this enough – the coffee is AMAZING.

Running over 24,000 retail stores, Starbucks ranks high on many people’s lists of the best coffee around. But have you ever thought beyond the cup and noticed the actual people behind the magic of that espresso pour?

Here are a few behind-the-scenes secrets of how Starbucks makes their magic bean juice.

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1. Green aprons have meaning

You may think the grass green aprons are tied to the branding colors of Starbucks, but that color goes a little further. Think about a hospital. You might see people in blue scrubs, green scrubs, and white coats. It often correlates to status or position. Starbucks adopted a similar technique to help their senior members stand out. According to another partner,

“Black aprons were given during a time when something called a Coffee Master program was in effect. People with those aprons worked very hard to learn everything about coffee through Starbucks. Starbucks had a program partners could receive certification through that involved lots of courses and training and coffee tastings. They’re the people to ask about types of coffee beans and teas. It’s also an indicator they’ve been with Starbucks a while because the program has been cut, at least in the U.S.”

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2. Beans can be green, too

“Green Beans” are new employees of Starbucks. Those wide-eyed newbies are a part of the company-wide training program to keep turnover low. Each Green Bean is paired with a senior employee who shows them the ropes of all things coffee. This is a big job for trainers! Starbucks finds that the more dedicated and patient the senior member, the longer the retention of the new employees.

3. Don’t call them baristas

The Starbucks company refers to its people as partners. You might wonder why the professionalism of the boardroom makes an appearance at the counter. Well, the execs actually use this terminology correctly:

“We’re referred to as ‘partners’ because a year into our employment, we get a small percentage in the company, so we’re all stock partners,” says AJ, a partner in Florida.

And that’s not all. Partners receive health care and 401k benefits, and in some areas can cash in for courses at an online university. Not too shabby!

4. Funny names are, well, not funny

I’m sure the partners of Starbucks have heard every possible answer when they ask, “What’s your first name for your order?”

But when it comes to names such as Superman, Batman, and “Daddy”, the baristas don’t want to hear it. So much so, that you may never hear your fake name called – they will simply read off the drink order. Be unique, give your real name.

5. “…Where everybody knows your name.”

Hearing the Cheers theme song? I’m sure you have, when walking into your favorite Starbucks to order for your Venti, half-caff, soy Latte, not one-degree over 120. Which, of course, they are already making before you hit the counter to order. And as they ask you how your daughter’s prom went and how “Johnny” did at the basketball game, it makes you warm and fuzzy inside that they remembered. All of this is what Starbucks strives for — “customer connections.” It’s all about being genuine, and employees are actually rated on this.

6. They are not “Coffee Artists”

Coffee art is all the rage, from four-leaf clovers to simple hearts made in latte foam. Partners can make these on request, but it isn’t their forte. Because of the size and shape of their pitchers, the milk froth isn’t at spec for beautiful designs. So save the special requests for your drink, not the foam.

7. Don’t fret about drink sizes

Venti? Grande? What are these sizes? After all these years, it is still completely normal for customers to be confused. But don’t fret, the partners won’t hold it against you. They understand they have been criticized for these faux-Italian terms, and if you order a small or large, they will still get you the right size.

8. Revenge is best served decaffeinated

No partner of Starbucks would ever mess with your brew in a bad way. But it has been said that rude customers sometimes feel a little less than energized after finishing their supposedly high-octane venti. If so, they may have been subject to “decaffing.” When your attitude really annoys the barista, they may swap  your beloved caffeine with decaf.

Ouch.

 9. Dog-friendly

Starbucks is dog-friendly, at least in the drive-thru. They can provide a free puppacino to the four-legged friend in your back seat – all you need to do is ask! The only ingredient: whipped cream. A delicious treat for any dog, and it helps the employees to alleviate the temptation of petting the furry friends. For safety/health regulation reasons, they can’t touch the dogs, but they can give them a treat!

10. Employee Bean Perks!

Forget the 401k package and stock shares – bring on the FREE coffee! This may be one of the biggest perks for employees and also the biggest downfall. Whether the employees are trying new drinks or refreshing themselves = after filling orders, a new employee’s caffeine intake can skyrocket! How do they sleep at night?

“On days I don’t work, I still drink one to four cups a day or I’ll get a splitting headache,” M (a partner) says. “On days that I work, it can be the same to more, but the caffeine doesn’t help with alertness anymore. It’s lost its benefit.”

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Apparently, Caffeine May Cause Headaches… And Also Help Cure Them

Before you reach for a cup of coffee to alleviate your headache, did you know caffeine could actually make it worse?

Yes, we all want fast relief, but here’s the thing: not all headaches are created equal. Most pain relievers do contain a small dose of caffeine, though, so…where does that leave us, exactly?

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Before we dive into how caffeine works, let’s talk about the causes of a headache. A headache is essentially a tightening of blood vessels, muscles, and nerves in the head and neck. This can be caused by stress, high blood pressure, anxiety, and more. Other reasons are generally secondary, such as a concussion or dehydration.

For the run of the mill headaches, caffeine can release this tension and lower inflammation – but when you ingest caffeine in excess (through medication or coffee), those same symptoms can resurface. Here’s the thing: caffeine affects everybody differently. So if even though a cup of coffee cures my headaches toot-sweet, it may make yours even worse.

A high caffeine intake constricts blood vessels, and when the vessels open back up a rebound effect can occur. Or on the flip side, muscles and nerves can over-tighten, leaving the headache worse. It all depends on the unique chemical reactions happening in your body.

Ouch.

So what can you do?

Caffeine is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each person has a unique chemical makeup and they should be aware of how caffeine interacts with their bodies. According to Kiran Rajneesh, who is the director of the neurological pain division at the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, “Some people are more genetically predisposed to be sensitive to caffeine.”

There are other natural remedies for headaches, such as a cold compress, a nap, or quiet time in a dark room, that can help those with a caffeine sensitivity. You may also want to avoid nicotine, alcohol, and prolonged screen time.

What about those who can fight headaches with caffeinated beverages?

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Great question. First of all, good for you! But there are some caveats…

You should remain cautious of the type of drink you choose and the amount. For example, there’s caffeine in coffee, sodas, and energy drinks – but energy drinks have additional agents called neurostimulants that can wreak more havoc than good.

Rajneesh advises against energy drinks because “neurostimulants…can worsen your headaches.”

Coffee contains around 106 to 164 milligrams of caffeine per 5-ounce cup. Most sodas have less, capping out around 38 to 46 milligrams per 12-ounce can, but are higher in sugars and other chemicals. Coffee or tea seem to be the safest bets if you are trying to help a headache.

The best remedy depends on the person.

So what does all this mean? It means all people are different and what works for one person may not for another. If you track your headaches and find caffeine worsens them, try other forms of medication like ibuprofen or aspirin. If you experience chronic headaches, it’s best to consult with a physician. Don’t forget though – simple things like drinking more water and sticking to a better sleep schedule can alleviate tension headaches as well.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. It may seem silly, but it is totally possible for headaches to be caused my lifestyle habits rather than medical issues – so a little self-care can go a long way!

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Coffee Experts Share the Secrets to Making the Perfect Cup of Joe at Home

We all love a truly well-brewed cup of coffee, but having to pay upwards of $4/cup at a coffee shop is definitely not great if you’re trying to save money. That issue only gets worse if you’re the type of person who needs more than one cup a day. So what’s a budget-conscious coffee lover to do?

If you’ve got the time and the willingness to learn, below are some expert tips on how to feel as if you’re sitting in a coffee shop without leaving your kitchen.

Get Your Ratios Right

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Though the experts don’t 100% agree, they get close enough for you to experiment and decide what you think is perfect – for a hot brew, somewhere between 1 part coffee and 15-17 parts water.

Water Matters

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If the tap water where you live has an odd taste or smell, try a filter or switch to bottled water. Or, if you want to get fancy, Third Wave Water is a mineral supplement popular among the experts that supposedly aids in coffee extraction and flavor.

The temperature of the water also has to be right – coffee shops brew between 195 and 205 degrees, and most affordable home brewers never even get close.

“Even if you’re starting with really high-quality coffee that’s fresh, ground fresh, and your ratios are right, if you’re not getting to the right temperature you’re never going to extract some of the more dynamic flavors of the coffee,” says Emily Rosenberg, senior educator at Stumptown Coffee Roasters. “I think that’s why we’ve pushed, as an industry, the pour-over method because most people have a way of heating water. Even if it’s just a pot on a stove it’s going to make a huge difference.”

Keep Your Equipment Clean

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Michael Phillips of Blue Bottle Coffee Company issues a reminder that coffee extracts oil, which can make your carafe super dirty over time.

“I would bet 90% of the carafes you brew coffee into right now are dirty enough to the point of being able to taste it in the cup. People don’t realize how often and thoroughly they should be cleaning equipment.”

Invest in a Scale

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The measurements on coffee makers and carafes are odd, but unless you’re some kind of savant, eyeballing isn’t the best course of action, either, says Rosenberg.

“I liken a lot of the things with coffee prep to cooking or especially baking. You can not follow a recipe and get different results every time you bake a cake. You can follow a recipe that uses volume measurements that’s not gonna be quite as accurate, or you can pull out your scale and really hit the mark on predicting what’s going to come out.”

And Jeremy Lyman, co-founder of Birch Coffee, chimed in, as well.

“If you look at the carafe at the lines that say three, four cups ― those aren’t actual cup sizes, and that can be very confusing. Especially because they don’t tell you they’re not real cups. I think they’re considered five-ounce cups. I don’t know why they do it that way, they just do.”

A Coffee Grinder Isn’t a Bad Idea, Either

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When asked whether he would ever use pre-ground coffee, Bailey Manson of Intelligentsia Coffee replied, “if I was going camping.”

Which is to say, it’s best to grind and, what’s more, to do it every day.

“If you leave the loaf of bread and cut a slice each piece is going to be delicious, but the piece you slice within in an hour is going to be stale. Grinding the coffee immediately before is going to give you the best flavor but there’s also the matter of convenience – sometimes I buy the sliced bread.”

One thing that all of the experts agree on is that even though these rules will help improve any cup, you’ll have to do some experimenting to find the perfect cup of coffee for you. Things like acidity and taste vary by region, and different roasts are stronger or lighter, etc.

The perfect excuse for another cup!

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5 Uniquely American Traditions That the Rest of the World Find…Odd

People are different all around the world. From the way we eat o how we dress to the language we use, every country has its own unique culturat traditions. While that diversity is a beautiful thing, it also means that what might seem perfectly normal to you might seem absolutely bizarre to someone else.

Here are 5 things that Americans do every day that the rest of the world finds a bit odd:

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Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving, shoppers head out in droves to claim steeply discounted merchandise for Christmas. A cheery, exciting day to bond with family and physically fight your way to the best deals. But Black Friday was not a positive term when originally coined in the 1950s. Back then, the mobs of shoppers and spectators out for the Army-Navy football game in Philly made it chaos for the police force. But retailer spun it into a positive by the 1980s. Yes, we still see the reports on chaos, but we don’t necessarily feel bad about it.

Whether we should is another question…

 

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More Ice, Please!

In America, we love our ice. From iced tea to ice-filled fountain sodas to a refreshing glass of water, you can get a cold drink most anywhere drinks are served. But in many other areas of the world, iced drinks are nowhere to be found – in fact in many countries putting ice in your water is thought to be unhealthy.

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The Pumpkin Craze

You either love pumpkin or hate it. Since 2011, the pumpkin obsession has grown almost 80% – as measured in sales of pumpkin products by Nielson. What started out as a Halloween tradition quickly moved to a Thanksgiving dessert and then exploded with the pumpkin spice craze. Marketers capitalize on the pumpkin craze from the beginning of fall well into the winter.

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Baby Showers

In America, we celebrate everything “baby”, starting with a gender reveal with family and friends, name reveals after the baby is born, all the way to the over-the-top annual birthday parties! But let’s not forget the baby shower. A day devoted to “showering” gifts on the mom-to-be as she prepares for the birth of her child.

Whereas in Israel, families don’t even talk about baby names or set up the nursery until the baby is born. They feel the American way is a “counting your chickens before they hatch” mentality, which can come back to bite you in a worst case scenario.

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Doggie Bags

If you don’t finish your meal, at many restaurants you are automatically asked by the waiter if you would like to take the rest home. And it’s normal to say yes. It means you don’t have to buy lunch the next day. Score!

Well, in certain countries, taking home food is a no-no. According to the manager of a fancy restaurant in Moscow, “We use fresh, high-quality products here. It makes no sense to let it grow old. Pasta dies after 20 minutes; things lose their taste.” Europeans believe it to be a health hazard and a way to avoid unnecessary food poisoning.

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Coffee on the Go

Starbucks has changed the way we “coffee”. A quick stop at your local beanery, and your day is underway as you go out to win the business world. But overseas? Forget about it. Coffee is meant to be savored. It’s a way to socialize and relax. Most cafés don’t have cardboard cups, leaving you out of luck if you want to caffeinate on the run.

Silly Americans!

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Starbucks was a complete…

Starbucks was a complete failure in Australia, mainly because Aussies are used to good quality coffee. They entered Australia in 2000, opened 84 outlets across Australia’s eastern coast. Eight years and $143 million in losses later they closed 60 stores, and sold the rest. 00

Here Are 12 Starbucks Items You Can’t Get at Locations in the United States

You probably know by now that other countries have different food and beverage standards than the United States, but did you know that restaurants have different offerings in other places, too?

As if you need a reason to book your next trip abroad…here are 12!

#12. Drive Thru Red Velvet Cake

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It’s hard to believe what basically amounts to a red velvet cake push pop hasn’t made its way from South Korea to the States yet. Here’s hoping!

#11. Cool Mango Cake

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Just in case you need some delicious mango to go with your red velvet, South Korea has you covered.

#10. Banana Split Frappuccino

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Head to Mexico to pick up this tasty beverage – with or without coffee. I mean, you guys. It has a waffle cone topping!

#9. Cold Foam Iced Espresso

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Iced coffee lovers would go wild for this espresso drink topped with cold foam, currently offered in Singapore.

#8. Espresso Brigadeiro

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Starbucks has stuffed all of the decadent flavors of these traditional Brazilian chocolate truffles into a drink. Lawd.

#7. Avocado Blended Frappaccino

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You’ll have to trek to South Korea, but if you’re a avocado lover, you’re not going to want to miss out. It even has a chocolate ball topping meant to look like the pit!

#6. Lavender Cafe Breve

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I’ve given you a bunch of reasons to visit South Korea alone, and this delicious and trendy treat is definitely another one.

#5. Earl Grey Honey Cake

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Excuse me while I make a trip to Singapore just for a piece of this honey cake topped with Earl Grey icing. Omg.

#4. Pistachio Bon Bon Cream Frappaccino

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Head over to Hong Kong if you’re a lover of pistachio ice cream – it’s a perfect imitation.

#3. Milk Tea Panna Cotta Cream Frappaccino

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Available in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other stores in Southeast Asia, the creamy layer of panna cotta cream on top of blended black tea and milk has got to be a dream.

#2. Mini Donuts Nutella

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Brazilians get your love for Nutella. If I lived there, I’d definitely be changing my go-to place for sweet breakfast treats.

#1. Pina Coco Blended Yogurt

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While you’re in Mexico, you’ll want to grab one of these pina colado inspired fraps, as well. Yum!

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Until 1616 coffee was essentially a monopoly run by Yemen…

Until 1616 coffee was essentially a monopoly run by Yemen. Merchants were forbidden to sell live coffee plants or seeds. That changed when Pieter van der Broecke, a Dutch merchant, stole coffee seeds and brought them back to Holland. 40 years later coffee had traveled as far as Sri Lanka. 00