Before we discuss the new Starbucks Fresh Brew cans, let’s briefly address the crazy year 2020 is turning out to be.

Around the world, everyone is doing their best to combat the restlessness, boredom, fear, and anxiety that the COVID-19 virus has forced upon us. We wear masks (or not), wipe every surface down with cleansers (if we can find them), and have hands that are flaking apart due to the religious use of hand sanitizers. Much bigger are the arguments and stubborn attitudes on both sides of the public mask-wearing restrictions.

Let me be honest for a moment: I suck at this. I’m a clean person. I generally wash my hands any chance I get, because otherwise I’d feel grimy. Lately, it has been so difficult to remember which hand I take people’s licenses with at work and which one I use to open doors and whether or not I wiped all of the arm rests in each conference room. Do I wear gloves to the grocery store? Do I spray disinfectant on my groceries? Should I leave them outside? Y’all–it’s too much.

& on the business side

Businesses like Starbucks have been throwing fastballs our way, though. Hey-oh marketing teams! High-fives for you! Along with other businesses selling masks or do-it-at-home versions of their products, Starbucks has created a website with recipes to make at home–by yourself! Incredible. I was immediately thrilled to see some of their recipes and new products to amp up my morning jo.

One new product, though…made me roll my eyes. Really, Starbucks? Out for the money-grab? I’m not buying that.

Except I did. To share it with you, my lovely friends. Let’s check out these Starbucks Fresh Brew Ground Coffee Cans together: Pike-Place style.

Review: Starbucks Fresh Brew v. Whole Coffee Beans

In order to compare the value of coffee v. price, I purchased a 12-ounce bag of whole bean Starbucks Pike Place Roast. (I don’t buy ground coffee if I can help it.) I would argue that by grinding my own beans, I can get a cup just as fresh as the can of Starbucks Fresh Brew, even though it isn’t quite as convenient. I also don’t brew an entire pot of coffee every day, and it’s just me in my household for now.

facts

1. Amount of goods per package:
   1. A box of Starbucks Fresh Brew Ground Coffee Cans contains 8 cans which, together, weigh 296 grams (and less than that of actual ground coffee; close to 30 grams per can).
   2. A 12 oz package of Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee contains roughly 340 grams of coffee beans.
2. Price of each product:
   1. Fresh Brew, with 8 servings already measured for you: $11.99
   2. Whole Bean: $7.99
3. Best By Dates:
   1. Fresh Brew: 05 AUG 2020
   2. Whole Bean: 28 SEP 2020

pros

Starbucks Fresh Brew Ground Coffee Cans – Pike Place Roast

1. Quick – This product is made so there is no extra time spent grinding beans and measuring out the perfect ratio of coffee for the water in your pot.
2. Simplicity – It is a no-mistake, no-thought process in the morning when you are still blinking your eyelids open; the grind is at a perfect size for a drip pot, the amount of coffee is measured out for a perfect half-pot either just for you, or for you and your partner.
3. (more) Eco-friendly packaging – Not only can the cardboard box be recycled, but so can each can! You can even throw your grounds in your compost pile while you’re at it. There’s even a corner of the box with recycling instructions and a website to go to for more information. (The tin seal on the can cannot be recycled.)

Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee – Pike Place Roast

1. Choice-y Choices – You can grind whatever amount you need for any brewer you use; you can also control the grind size for different brewers and roasts (e.g. light v. dark).
2. Freshness – The flavor of this coffee is released each time you grind the beans fresh. *Be sure to keep your beans in an air-tight, opaque jar to extend their shelf-life.
3. Methodical – Because you have to grind and weigh the beans each time you brew a cup of coffee, you unlock this refreshing and therapeutic coffee ritual that brings you slowly and gently into the day.

cons

Starbucks Fresh Brew Ground Coffee Cans – Pike Place Roast

1. Wasteful – Though every part of this product is recyclable, there is so much packaging! Not all recycling is actually recycled, so adding more waste than just a single, thin bag from coffee seems more wasteful than it needs to be.
2. Best By Date – The beans just last longer. What else can I say? These products were bought on the same day in the same store.
3. Limited Brewing Ability – There is around 30 grams of coffee in one single can; I use either 21 grams to brew in my V60, or 42 grams to brew in my Chemex. I would either waste coffee or need more for my taste. Also, it comes in one grind size, so it probably wouldn’t do well in say, a French Press. Once you open the can, the freshness expires in half-lives. It will still taste like coffee, but the subtle flavors of the roast won’t come through (and subtle flavors are more prevalent in freshly ground coffee).

Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee – Pike Place Roast

1. Time-Consuming – It takes time to measure out and grind coffee, and some mornings you just can’t afford to lose 5 minutes of lunch-packing time.
2. Eco-Friendliness – There is no way to recycle the bag the beans come in, though the amount of waste seems minimal. Please dispose of properly!

taste

The first thing I noticed was the difference between the air bubbles that were released by the coffee beans in the blooming phase, or the first pour. The pre-ground coffee didn’t release as much as the whole beans that I ground myself. I was able to taste the nutty notes in the whole-bean coffee that the bag claims; this version in general had more aroma & flavor than its pre-ground counterpart. Let’s see how the same roast of beans compared to itself in cupping…

Starbucks Fresh Brew Ground Coffee Cans – Pike Place Roast

• Aroma: medium-low, not much going on
• Acidity: medium-high acidity, caused salivation
• Sweetness: low
• Body/Texture: pretty light-bodied, more like a tea consistency
• Finish: short finish; flavor lingers only for a moment, teasing a development in taste…and then disappears
• Flavor: akin to toast; smokey, dark chocolate, earthy

Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee – Pike Place Roast

• Aroma: medium-high; released much more smell than pre-ground
• Acidity: medium-high acidity
• Sweetness: low
• Body/Texture: light-bodied
• Finish: short finish; still lingered a bit with more flavor, but disappeared quickly
• Flavor: toasty, nutty, earthy, dark chocolate

So, who is this good for?

Here’s my conclusion: it’s not good for me. I don’t feel that for the amount of coffee, lack of versatility, and the price I am getting the best coffee experience at home. The whole bean coffee that I ground myself had much more flavor and aroma, and I just find it more enjoyable. I don’t find pleasure in drinking watered down or weak coffee.

I do think I was correct to assume that grinding my own beans produces a cup just as fresh (or more so) than the Starbucks Fresh Brew. That said…

The Starbucks Fresh Brew could be for you if you find yourself:

• rushing regularly in the morning, due to late bedtimes or getting kids ready or feeding pets or all three, etc.
• only have an automatic coffee maker
• have no interest in the finesse of coffee extracting & just need a wake-up call
• etc.

You know if it works for you. Have you tried these yet? How do you find the experience? Does it suit your lifestyle? Let me know below!