Originally Posted by Treespeed
I just have to speak up on all of the Starbucks bashing. I used to work for them when they hadn't even finished their domination of Seattle, let alone the world. Back in the day it was a great company to work for, we pulled espresso using real machines and I had tons of training before I was ever allowed to make a drink. Starbucks had great benefits, plus a free pound of coffee a week.
I don't even know what those robot espresso machines they have now are. Let alone that they expect me to tip the barrista for pushing a button. Still, when I'm travelling and it's a choice between 7-11 coffee or starbucks I'll have to go with the starbucks.
Back in those days there may have been a sincere attempt by *$ to make a quality espresso. However, it doesn't really matter what type of machine you have, what type of coffee you use, or how much training the barrista has, if you serve espresso in a paper cup, it's crap. Perhaps when you worked for them, they used porcelain cups, I don't know. I don't blame them for what they do. Most people that go to them want something that doesn't even taste like coffee.