Starbucks to expand into Brazil within a year

CHICAGO, May 25 (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp. (SBUX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said it plans to open coffee shops throughout Brazil in a joint venture agreement with a Brazilian holding company, with the first store set to open in Sao Paulo within a year.

The joint venture with Cafes Sereia do Brasil Participacoes SA, which is led by local retailers, is known as Starbucks Brasil Comercio de Cafes Ltda., or Starbucks Brasil, Seattle-based Starbucks said.

Starbucks already has coffeehouses in 37 countries outside of the United States, including joint ventures, licenses, and company-owned operations.

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Raising the bar for espresso machines

Milan architect continues series of user-friendly designs
By Mark Curtis

Since its invention a century ago by Milan engineer Luigi Bezzera, the espresso machine has largely been an industrial design with a focus on function. This is hardly surprising, since its primary intent is to deliver tiny perfect cups of coffee with workhorse-like efficiency (the word espresso has a triple meaning - fast, pressed, and by individual request). Design form has begun to creep into the equation, however. A decade ago, Milan architect and designer Luca Trazzi raised the design bar on a home version of the traditional espresso machine with his X1 model for Trieste-based manufacturer FrancisFrancis.

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Coca Cola's new drink, BlaK

Blak has a pretty bottle. That's the good thing I can say about it.

Coke is calling their new carbonated drink, Blak, a "fusion beverage." I don't know what a fusion beverage is supposed to be, but I know what this drink is not...it's not good. If you like coffee flavored hard candy, you might like it. I like Coke and I like coffee, but not in the same bottle, no matter how pretty the bottle is.

It lists coffee extract as an ingredient, but I wish they would not use the word, "coffee." It offends my sensibilities. It doesn't merit discussion on a coffee website. So why am I posting about it? Good question.

It also offends my pocket. I paid $1.59 at a convenience store and I couldn't finish it. I should have asked for a refund.

Robert