Facts about Starbucks in the Middle East

Taken from starbucks.com

January 16, 2009

It is disheartening that calls for boycotts of Starbucks stores and products, which are based on blatant untruths, have had direct impacts on local economies and residents, and have also led to violent situations involving our stores, partners (employees) and customers.

Our more than 160,000 partners and business associates around the globe have diverse views about a wide range of topics. Regardless of that spectrum of belief, Starbucks Coffee Company remains a non-political organization. We do not support any political or religious cause. Further, allegations that Starbucks provides financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army in any way are unequivocally false. Unfortunately, these rumors persist despite our best efforts to refute them.

What we do believe in, and remain focused on, is staying true to our company’s long-standing heritage -- simply connecting with our partners and customers over a cup of high quality coffee and offering the best experience possible to them – regardless of geographical location. Though our roots are in the United States, we are a global company with stores in 49 countries, including more than 230 stores in nine Middle Eastern countries. In countries where we do business, we are proud to be a part of the fabric of the local community -- working directly with local partners who operate our stores, employing thousands of local citizens, serving millions of customers and positively impacting many others through our support of neighborhoods and cities.

Myths

Is it true that Starbucks provides financial support to Israel?

Has Starbucks ever sent any of its profits to the Israeli government and/or Israeli army?

Is it true that Starbucks is teaming with other American corporations to send their last several weeks of profits to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army?

Is it true that Starbucks closed its stores in Israel for political reasons?

Middle East Partnership and Operations

Do you work with a Middle East partner to operate Starbucks stores?

In which Middle Eastern countries do you operate?

Are you still operating Starbucks stores in Israel? If not, do you have plans to re-open should the opportunity arise?

For answers to the above topics, click here More >>

Starbucks to introduce new breakfast pastries

Associated Press 09.23.08,

SEATTLE -

Starbucks Corp. plans to introduce new warm breakfast pastries next week, the company said Tuesday.

The items, called Piadini, will feature artisan bread and will be filled with either sausage, egg and cheddar cheese or portobello mushroom, spinach, egg and feta and ricotta cheese. They are priced at $3.25.

"We're bringing something new to the category," said Michelle Gass, the company's senior vice president of marketing.

More >>

Badgett's Gadgets - Digital Scale

Badgett's Gadgets - Digital Scale

I have been using this Escali digital scale for over a year and I can't imagine ever doing without it. I use it to measure green coffee for my roaster so my batches are always the same. That's important because different volumes in the roaster give different results. We want to strive for consistency in coffee roasting and brewing as much as possible.

I also use it in the kitchen, especially when I bake bread. It's really more of a convenience issue and the constistency is an added benefit. It measures in either grams, ounces, or pounds and ounces. It's difficult to measure flour accurately with just a measuring cup. The flour's density varies with the weather (humidity), and even how much flour is in the cannister or bag affects its density. The best way is by weight. Some recipes give the weights of the ingredients, but if they don't, I have kept a record of common ingredients' weights.

One of the great features of this scale is its "return to tare." Here's how it works. Turn it on and place a mixing bowl on it. Hit the "on" button again and the readout returns to zero. Then, just scoop or pour the ingredient into the bowl until the desired weight is reached. Then, hit the "on" button to return to zero for the next ingredient. You can do this again and again until all ingredients are added. There is no need to use (and have to wash) all those measuring cups.

Here's Amazon.com's review:

"A friendly, everyday-use unit from the renowned manufacturer Escali, the Primo digital scale is compact, straightforward, and playfully colored. With a capacity of 11 pounds or 5 kilograms, the little unit features simple two-button operation and a spill-proof, quick-clean body. The LED face is easy to read, and the readings are rated in increments of 0.1 ounces or 1 gram for high accuracy. Designed for a wide range of kitchen or offices uses, the scale also includes automatic shut-off and a tare feature, so you can weigh ingredients without weighing their container. Available in an extensive palette of fun colors, the Primo was awarded the Kitchen Tested Seal of Approval by the Cooking Club of America in 2005. It runs on two AA batteries, measures 8-by-6-by1-1/4 inches, and carries a 5-year warranty."


CLICK HERE to purchase from Amazon.com. It sells for $25 and BCE gets a small commission. What a deal!