46 replies to this topic

[4thgenFolsomite]

Yes, buying coffee out every day is rediculously expensive. But I love my lattes. So I bit the bullet and purchased an Italian-made Gaggia espresso machine (Peets sells these) and all the accessories. The "payback period" on this machine is probably a better part of the year, compared to buying out (though I still let Peets make em when I'm too lazy or rushed to make my own), but there is something really satisfying about pulling a perfect shot of espresso at home. Still working on my milk frothing technique, but I'm getting there. And of course I grind my own beans and buy them fresh weekly. Many would consider all this way too much trouble, but it's actually an enjoyable morning ritual for me.

I have a gaggia mdf burr grinder and the Ms. Sylvio espresso maker by Rancillio. Perfect pairing. But if you want the hands down best coffee available, order Blue Bottle Coffee from Emeryville. It is absolutely bar none the finest coffee available in California. They have a website and mail order their coffee out each Monday. That is where I get mine. I used to drink Peets (1980s to 2005). Then I found Blue Bottle and I will never go back. Ever. I take that back. My grinder broke about a month ago and I had to buy ground beans, so I went to Peets and got my old blend. Once I finished it, no more, man. I'm back on Blue Bottle. I like the decaf noir mixed with the forte espresso. its more, like $18 per pound (including shipping), but it is so worth it.

[Andrea V]

I have a gaggia mdf burr grinder and the Ms. Sylvio espresso maker by Rancillio. Perfect pairing. But if you want the hands down best coffee available, order Blue Bottle Coffee from Emeryville. It is absolutely bar none the finest coffee available in California. They have a website and mail order their coffee out each Monday. That is where I get mine. I used to drink Peets (1980s to 2005). Then I found Blue Bottle and I will never go back. Ever. I take that back. My grinder broke about a month ago and I had to buy ground beans, so I went to Peets and got my old blend. Once I finished it, no more, man. I'm back on Blue Bottle. I like the decaf noir mixed with the forte espresso. its more, like $18 per pound (including shipping), but it is so worth it.

dang, I thought *I* was a coffee snob...

You and CW68 are SERIOUS! haa!

[redman]

dang, I thought *I* was a coffee snob...

You and CW68 are SERIOUS! haa!

Oh they get even worse than that. The office manager of my company's Australia office in Sydney (who was the one that really got me going on making espresso at home) thinks I should roast my own beans. He built his own roasting contraption and wants me to try doing so. He even has his own coffee website.

I don't think I'll ever go that far!

[Jenncez]

I don't drink coffee...but Starbucks has a great pumpkin scone for the season!!!

[Ras712]

Starbucks = Burnt
Starbucks = Lowest common denominator
Starbucks = Ripoff

I had an americano @ the Black Rooster the other week and it actually made me stop and say "Dang, what a great cup of coffee!" Not convenient for the to go crowd, but soooo good.

[folsombound]

I have a gaggia mdf burr grinder and the Ms. Sylvio espresso maker by Rancillio. Perfect pairing. But if you want the hands down best coffee available, order Blue Bottle Coffee from Emeryville. It is absolutely bar none the finest coffee available in California. They have a website and mail order their coffee out each Monday. That is where I get mine. I used to drink Peets (1980s to 2005). Then I found Blue Bottle and I will never go back. Ever. I take that back. My grinder broke about a month ago and I had to buy ground beans, so I went to Peets and got my old blend. Once I finished it, no more, man. I'm back on Blue Bottle. I like the decaf noir mixed with the forte espresso. its more, like $18 per pound (including shipping), but it is so worth it.

Sorry, but you're wrong. The best coffee in California (and maybe the US) is from Flying Goat Coffee in Healdsburg. Their Espresso Vesuvio is the best espresso blend out there. When you order, they roast it the next day and overnight it to you. If you are up in the wine country they are just off the square in Headsburg and have the best coffee, espresso drinks and best scones you can get.

[4thgenFolsomite]

Sorry, but you're wrong. The best coffee in California (and maybe the US) is from Flying Goat Coffee in Healdsburg. Their Espresso Vesuvio is the best espresso blend out there. When you order, they roast it the next day and overnight it to you. If you are up in the wine country they are just off the square in Headsburg and have the best coffee, espresso drinks and best scones you can get.

I've had Flying Goat. Get back to me when you've tried Blue Bottle.

[tgianco]

One, two, three, four

I declare coffee war!

[stacycam]

Okay, I'll respond as a Starbucks drinker. I am not a big coffee drinker, so I think that's why I prefer Starbucks over Peet's. My husband loves coffee, and he MUCH prefers Peet's. I think if you are not a huge coffee drinker, Starbucks is easier. They are incredibly consistent (yes, I know the evil chain syndrome), but it's nice to know what you will get. Every time we go to Peet's, it's different. Sometimes there is so much syrup in there (vanilla latte drinker) that I gag on it, while other times, I can barely taste it. I know when I get my iced, venti, 4 pump sugar-free vanilla, non fat, light ice latte, it will always taste the same.

All that said, we bought a VERY expensive espresso machine in April, so now we rarely hit Starbucks. It's so liberating to drive by Starbucks with my yummy latte, knowing I didn't just drop almost $4 for it. We buy fair-trade espresso beans from TJ's.

Another bad thing about Peet's is the location. It's a hassle getting out of there, depending on where you want to go. Also, we have roughly 75 Starbucks in a five-mile radius, so it's always convenient.

The best coffee I have ever had was Blue Mountain coffee in Jamaica. It's the only time in my life I could drink coffee black. Yum!

[bookwom]

I'm afraid you might be right about the location, stacycam. I've been to the Sushi Shack in that center a couple of times. They have good sushi, a clean place and nice people, but I never see any customers in there. I'd like to see them do well, but the shopping center can be hard to enter and exit, especially when there is traffic on E. Bidwell.

[asbestoshills]

I HATE PETE'S COFFEE AND TEA! I went there yesterday afternoon around 5pm...OMG, I got a mocha with whip cream...GUESS WHAT? After a few drinks (wasn't sure if it tasted different because it wasn't Starbucks) I figured the whip cream went SOUR...UGHHH....The manager told me, I'll make u a new one....When I told her no thanks she gave me a card for a free drink and no apology...Her only comment was that, "Dang that is sour, ICK...." Thanks for the APOLOGY, NOT!
Also, the only other time I went there I was disgusted by the dirty kid making the drinks....Wiping his nose on his sleeve...I told the cashier and he just gave me a grimace and didn't say anything to the kid..I cancelled my order....I only went back because I had already passed Starbucks on my way home and it seemed harmless enough....BTW, parking is v. limited there...

[kprincesskate]

I absolutely love Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. It is very expensive to buy here in the states but every once in awhile I will treat myself to a pound (roughly $40)!

Okay, I'll respond as a Starbucks drinker. I am not a big coffee drinker, so I think that's why I prefer Starbucks over Peet's. My husband loves coffee, and he MUCH prefers Peet's. I think if you are not a huge coffee drinker, Starbucks is easier. They are incredibly consistent (yes, I know the evil chain syndrome), but it's nice to know what you will get. Every time we go to Peet's, it's different. Sometimes there is so much syrup in there (vanilla latte drinker) that I gag on it, while other times, I can barely taste it. I know when I get my iced, venti, 4 pump sugar-free vanilla, non fat, light ice latte, it will always taste the same.

All that said, we bought a VERY expensive espresso machine in April, so now we rarely hit Starbucks. It's so liberating to drive by Starbucks with my yummy latte, knowing I didn't just drop almost $4 for it. We buy fair-trade espresso beans from TJ's.

Another bad thing about Peet's is the location. It's a hassle getting out of there, depending on where you want to go. Also, we have roughly 75 Starbucks in a five-mile radius, so it's always convenient.

The best coffee I have ever had was Blue Mountain coffee in Jamaica. It's the only time in my life I could drink coffee black. Yum!

[4thgenFolsomite]

One, two, three, four

I declare coffee war!

LOL!!!!
you made me laugh in my office!!

[kprincesskate]

Hands down Caroline's Coffee in Grass Valley is the BEST! They roast their own beans and on the days they do the whole downtown area smells of coffee! I lived in GV for 5 years and miss Caroline's. I still order their beans online and LOVE my coffee!

I have a gaggia mdf burr grinder and the Ms. Sylvio espresso maker by Rancillio. Perfect pairing. But if you want the hands down best coffee available, order Blue Bottle Coffee from Emeryville. It is absolutely bar none the finest coffee available in California. They have a website and mail order their coffee out each Monday. That is where I get mine. I used to drink Peets (1980s to 2005). Then I found Blue Bottle and I will never go back. Ever. I take that back. My grinder broke about a month ago and I had to buy ground beans, so I went to Peets and got my old blend. Once I finished it, no more, man. I'm back on Blue Bottle. I like the decaf noir mixed with the forte espresso. its more, like $18 per pound (including shipping), but it is so worth it.

[folsombound]

I like Peet's coffee better than Starbucks. BUT, when it comes to coffee drinks (lattes, etc.) I've found that Peet's baristas are incredibly inconsistent from one location to another. Some Peet's make them great and others do a lousy job. Starbucks may not be as good but they are consistent. I've had Starbucks lattes all over the US, in England, Germany and New Zealand and they are the same drink. I like that and don't have any real problem with Starbucks coffee.
As far as the "evil empire" goes, I don't buy it. Starbucks pays it's employees well, provides healthcare and other benefits and is a very good company. They didn't start big, they started with one location at Pike's Place Market in Seattle. They got big because they did it better than anyone else. That's what can happen if you have a great idea and execute it better than the other guy. Peet's started before Starbucks (and in fact was the idea behind Starbucks) but did not try to expand the business until Starbucks already had thousands of locations.

And yes, Peet's Freddo drinks are way better than Starbucks blended drinks!