Starbucks tells baristas to slow down

will it improve the quality?

nope. just give the customers the illusion they are working harder to make the drinks.

I dunno, maybe some of it might improve quality (the pitcher vs non-pitcher thing does seem a real difference, for instance).

-miles

No doubt sbux in general have much more inexperienced and lower-grade "baristas" (ugh what a cloying term) than smaller shops, but that may well be exactly what's prompting this change -- they want to stop their slide downscale.

It'll cause some shakeup amongst the "wait in a long line for my morning XXX" crowd, that's for sure, but maybe that's considered an acceptable price...

-miles

I never understood the logic of standing in line at Starbucks and such for one's morning cup of joe (or espresso, etc.), especially if one is in a hurry. I've found it to be a lot faster to brew a cup at home. Even making an espresso drink at home isn't that complicated or slow, be it with a dedicated espresso machine or a moka pot.

OTOH, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or while traveling, going to a Starbucks or any quality cafe is definitely a convenient option.

- Peter