Coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed worldwide, originates from the seeds of the Coffea plant. Discovered in Ethiopia, coffee’s rich history spans centuries, making its way through the Arabian Peninsula, Europe, and beyond. Known for its stimulating effects, coffee is cherished for its diverse flavors, which vary based on bean type, growing conditions, and brewing methods. From robust espressos to smooth cold brews, coffee offers a sensory experience marked by distinct aromas, acidity, body, and taste. Its cultural significance is profound, bringing people together in cafes, homes, and workplaces, making it an integral part of daily life across the globe.
Sneha Singhi, Chef & Food Blogger, says, “I’ve been a coffee fan for as long as I remember and coffee is one of the first few things that my husband Saugat and I bonded over. Coffee certainly made our relationship more “Brewtiful”. My husband’s favorite is Americano or an expresso as it gives him the right amount of energy for a hectic day. Although, I prefer a cold coffee with sugar & milk. Tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts & something that I can eat any time of the day. I like to add a tbsp of instant coffee to my chocolate desserts because it adds another layer of depth to the dessert. Although I’m not a fan of overly experimental flavors of coffee, something that I really enjoy is a coffee that has hints of cherry or cinnamon.”
As Starbucks India’s first coffee master, Vibhor Mishra, Coffee Ambassador APAC & China, TATA Starbucks delves into the nuances of cold brew coffee, explaining how it stands apart from traditional brewing methods. He also introduces the innovative Starbucks Refreshers, highlighting their unique use of green coffee extracts. He sheds light on new cold brew flavors and the brand’s dedication to coffee education. His insights reflect a deep passion for coffee, from farm to cup, and a commitment to enhancing the coffee experience for enthusiasts everywhere.
Cold brew coffee has been witnessing an increasing response from customers this season. Can you explain how cold brew differs from traditional hot brewing methods?
When anyone first thinks of brewing coffee, it is always about extracting the flavours from the roasted ground coffee beans by infusing it with hot water. But slowly that’s changing, and cold brews have captured the imagination of coffee enthusiasts. Of course, cold water slowdowns the entire flavour extraction process, but the result of being patient with it is a naturally sweet and smooth cup of coffee. Cold water brewing reduces the extraction level of coffee compared to hot water. It compensates with its coffee to water ratio which is on the higher side compared to hot water brews to increase the coffee strength. Reduced extraction and increased strength ensure naturally sweet and a very smooth cup- bringing to life flavours which are refreshing and indulgent.
Can you tell us more about the recent introduction of Starbucks Refreshers Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher and Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade Refresher in India
Our success is based on our unique ability to understand our consumers, we are always looking forward to opportunities to innovate to inspire and create more meaningful connections. Innovation is at the cornerstone of our business and we’re always striving to bring various flavours for you catering to the changing tastes and preferences- this beverages innovation lay in the use of green coffee extracts. The Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher has Sweet strawberry Flavors accents of açaí notes, shaken with ice and strawberry pieces—a welcoming sweet spot of refreshment and refreshing green coffee extract – a never seen before innovation. The Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade Refresher is an exotic combination of Sweet Mango and Tangy Dragon fruit flavours, shaken with ice, Mango and Dragon fruit pieces and refreshing green coffee extract.
How do these beverages incorporate green coffee extracts, and what sets them apart from traditional coffee drinks?
Coffee is an agricultural product and begins its journey as a fruit called the coffee cherry. The seed of the fruit is the coffee bean which is removed using different processing methods around the world. Once we have the coffee bean, green coloured at this stage- we roast it to bring out aroma and flavours which we associate with the coffee we serve. But for refreshers, we get an extract from coffee at the green bean stage itself helping us bring out unique and innovative expressions of it.
What flavour profiles and tasting notes can customers expect from the double-layered ginger ale flavoured cold brew and the orange-infused cold brew with soda?
Sparking orange infused cold brew is our signature, paired perfectly with a splash of citrusy orange, shaken with soda and garnished with a candied orange slice. It’s the perfect drink to #Beattheheat. On the other hand, Starbucks ginger ale cold brew is a double layered sensory delight with stunning double layered buildup. It adorns cold brew’s inherently natural sweet and citrus flavours further accentuated by ginger ale, a must try!
How does the brand contribute to educating consumers about coffee, its origins, and the various brewing methods available?
We have a deep passion for sharing our coffee expertise. We believe in providing open-source information to ensure our coffee journey strengthens the entire coffee community and inspires every coffee lover. We have the most unique coffee ritual termed as coffee tasting. Every Thursday, we host a special coffee tasting session. We will make you taste a coffee of your interest following four steps: Smell, slurp, locate and describe which helps to identify four characteristics: Aroma, Acidity, Body, and flavours interlaced with an amazing story about the coffee. Moreover, we have also launched one of its kind professional coffee certification, called as Master Brewer program where our customers can learn coffee skills around all aspects of coffee education and artistry and get certified from Starbucks. The Master brewer certification program is a huge hit and in no time, we now have a community of 100 Starbucks Master brewers. Coffee enthusiasts can get all the information on our Instagram page and register for the next batch!
Our coffee academy is also an open-source coffee website with level 100 to 300 certifications. It makes for the most interactive coffee engagement and education open-source page available today. All these initiatives are a testament of how much we love coffee, and of course share all aspects of it with the community.