Momma Told Me: The flavor's in the bean, not the bar.
If I asked a room full of people if they liked chocolate, the response would be pretty overwhelming. 'Chocolate,' like 'Coffee' is as much considered a flavor as it is a food or ingredient. That's because they both have been around for centuries. And, when I say 'Coffee' or 'Chocolate' there are likely some brands that instantly come to mind- Starbucks and Hershey's for example. But, while both of these brands manufacture these items, they are not the definition of them. In fact, as worldly popular as Hershey's is, and as premium as Starbucks is, real 'snobs' of these foods know there is much more than the mass production favored within these brands. Hershey's chocolate, you see, is actually 70% sugar, and less than 4% Cacoa (also called Cocoa).
Why are we discussing the purity of chocolate and coffee? Well, both rely on the distinct flavor of it's bean. A multi-origin bean product, whether chocolate or coffee, will have a less definitive flavor profile than a single origin bean which has had generations to take notes from the soil and environment it solely grows in. Fans of dark chocolate understand this concept very well- but did you know, in the coffee world, it is actually the opposite? A Light Roast coffee will often yield a stronger character and body of flavor than a darker roast. When the beans are less processed they tend to brew a more complex flavor that is actually higher in the bean's natural acidity, which many believe enhances coffee's inherent flavor.
Starbucks, which has long been hailed as a premium coffee brand, has also been criticized by coffee purists for over-processing their beans and delivering brews that are strong in flavor but muddled in authenticity. That is to say, you may love the Pumpkin Chai or Holiday Blend Starbucks Coffee, but you are really indulging in a brew equal to a flavored chocolate bar. It tastes delicious, but all of the 'extras' are really hiding the true flavor of the beans at the core. As an answer to this, the chain has introduced three unique Light Roast blends available in ground, VIA instant, and K-Cups. Don't be fooled, 'Light' Roast does not mean a less flavored coffee. In fact, while the drink is more mellow and better suited to cream sans sugar, the depth is actually more mature than your typical dark roast.
I had a chance to receive a box of the new Starbucks Veranda Blend as a BzzAgent and was immediately intrigued by the concept of a mellow coffee that revealed more flavor. My first sip of Veranda was quite surprising- I drink most of my coffee with lots of sugar, and had only used cream to balance out the acidity of the blend. I found the cup very drinkable, in fact it was actually preferred! There was a subtle nutty undertone and even a developed sense of cocoa I felt would actually go well over ice with a bit of honey. For someone who finds coffee too 'strong' to palette, this could be the perfect solution to a more mellow flavor that relies less on the sometimes bitter and charred taste of a darker roast.
What Daughter Says: Try coffee a little closer to what nature intended with the natural flavors of Starbucks Light Blends.
I am one of those people who likes her coffee strong enough to remove paint so I'm not sure I'd care for a subtle taste. I've never had chocolate flavored coffee...interesting.
ReplyDeleteLove the hair color.
Patty- What most people mean when they say 'strong' is highly roasted, which is more on the burnt end of flavor. Light Roast doesn't mean light flavor at all- it means smoother more developed flavor. You really might like it!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not a fan of coffee myself, I do quite love chocolate. Okay, love is a little subtle...I'm a warshipper of chocolate and without it I would surely perish.
ReplyDeleteI think that says it all. LOL
Chocolate-esque coffee sounds interesting. I am not a coffee drinker but my parents both like it.
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad I came across this and read it today - I didn't know any of this!! I'm totally rethinking the way I buy coffee now. You rock, seriously.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI am not a coffee drinker so I have no opinion other than that they way you make this coffee LOOK makes me want to get some for my husband!
ReplyDeleteI love light roast - I used to stay away from starbucks because of the bitter taste, but now I am all in
ReplyDeleteStarbucks fan right here! LOL, I just bought a bunch of the Starbucks K-cups for our work Keurig. :)
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