They are making an effort to prove they can do decent coffee at Starbucks Reserve apparently. One just opened here in Redwood City that I've been meaning to try out. I think you pay more for the experience, but regardless, it is good to see Starbucks get back to their roots in some form.

It’s lowest common denominator because it is so common. If there were only a handful of Starbucks it would still be highly sought after. Now, you can’t turn a corner without seeing Starbucks.

Same thing happened to Godiva.

No, I don’t meant it as an issue of coolness - I mean that Starbucks needs to provide a consistent flavor to their customers at thousands and thousands of locations. My theory is that only way to do that for them is to burn their coffee beans and then drown it in syrup and milk, so the customer getting “extra tall vanilla latte” gets the same taste at any location from Alaska to Florida.

Compare it to coffee at Noah’s Bagels or Tim Hortons. Those are large chains too. Tastes vary, but I think if you take a plain black coffee from each of the three, Starbucks will still come out on bottom.