Tag Archives: CoffeeFacts

Why Do Some Starbucks® Packaged Beans Say “Nestlé”?

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In 2018, Starbucks and Nestlé formed a long-term “Global Coffee Alliance” that lets Nestlé market, sell, and distribute Starbucks-branded at-home coffees (and many foodservice items) around the world. That’s why your grocery-store bag can read “Distributed by Nestlé.” It doesn’t mean Nestlé owns Starbucks, and it doesn’t change what you get in a Starbucks café. 

The 2018 Deal (in plain English)

Back in May 2018, Starbucks and Nestlé announced a sweeping partnership designed to get Starbucks coffee onto more kitchen counters globally. Nestlé paid $7.15 billion for the perpetual rights to market, sell, and distribute Starbucks-branded consumer packaged goods (think whole bean, ground, instant) and many foodservice items outside Starbucks coffee shops. In other words, Nestlé handles the grocery aisle and a lot of away-from-home placements; Starbucks keeps running its cafés. 

What Products Does Nestlé Handle?

Since the alliance kicked off, Nestlé has rolled out a broad Starbucks at-home lineup: whole bean and ground coffee, premium instant, Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto capsules, K-Cup pods, and even Starbucks creamers in many markets. If you’ve seen a Starbucks bag or pod on a supermarket shelf, there’s a good chance Nestlé put it there under license. 

What’s Not Included?

Two important carve-outs:

  1. Starbucks cafés: Drinks made in Starbucks stores aren’t part of the Nestlé deal. Those still belong to Starbucks. 
  2. Ready-to-Drink (RTD) in North America: Those bottled and canned Frappuccinos, Doubleshots, iced coffees, etc., are produced and distributed by the North American Coffee Partnership, a longstanding joint venture between Starbucks and PepsiCo (dating to 1994). That relationship continues today. 

Globally, Starbucks and Nestlé later expanded their collaboration to bring Starbucks-branded RTD beverages to Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Latin America—but that’s separate from the PepsiCo partnership in North America. 

So… Who Roasts the Beans?

The alliance is primarily about rights and distribution. Production can vary by product and region, but the key point for shoppers is that the brand standards, sourcing philosophies, and recipes are governed by Starbucks while Nestlé manages the retail reach. Practically, that’s why the bag in your cart might say “Starbucks®” on the front and “Distributed by Nestlé” on the back. 

A Quick Timeline

  • May 2018 — Starbucks and Nestlé announce the Global Coffee Alliance. 
  • Aug 2018 — Deal closes; Nestlé obtains perpetual global rights (outside Starbucks stores) for Starbucks consumer packaged goods and many foodservice products. 
  • 2019–2023 — Rapid rollout of Starbucks at-home products worldwide (beans, pods, instant, creamers). 
  • 2021 — Starbucks and Nestlé extend collaboration to RTD beverages in parts of Asia-Pac and Latin America. 
  • 2022 — Starbucks sells the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand to Nestlé, further aligning portfolios (separate from Starbucks cafés). 

How to Read the Label (and What It Means for Taste)

When you see “Distributed by Nestlé USA” (or a local Nestlé affiliate) on a Starbucks bag:

  • It reflects who gets the product into retail channels, not who “owns” Starbucks. Starbucks remains an independent company. 
  • It applies primarily to at-home products (whole bean, ground, capsules, instant, creamers). Your café latte still comes from Starbucks baristas, not Nestlé. 
  • Flavor profiles, blends, and sourcing ethics follow Starbucks’ brand standards; the alliance was built to scale distribution without reinventing the coffee fans already know. 

FAQs

Does this mean Nestlé owns Starbucks?No. It’s a licensing and distribution arrangement. Nestlé bought rights, not the company. 

Why did Starbucks do this?To rapidly expand Starbucks-branded coffee in grocery and foodservice channels worldwide while focusing on its café business and growth strategy. 

What changed for consumers?More Starbucks-branded choices at home (beans, pods, instant, creamers), often in more countries, plus some Starbucks RTD options in markets outside North America through the Nestlé collaboration. 

What about Seattle’s Best Coffee?In 2022, Starbucks sold the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand to Nestlé, so that brand is now part of Nestlé’s portfolio. 

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, some will result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

Coffee is Steep in Facts & Fiction, enjoy some fun ones

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Coffee, a beverage as rich in history as it is in flavor, has woven itself into the fabric of cultures across the globe. This potent elixir, brewed from the humble beans of the Coffea plant, has played a significant role in shaping societal structures over the centuries, acting as a catalyst for conversation, inspiration, and even revolution. From its mythical discovery by an Ethiopian shepherd noticing his goats’ lively antics after consuming the cherries of a strange tree, to its revered status in the high-tech modern cafes of the 21st century, coffee’s journey is as complex as the notes in a well-crafted single-origin brew.

What started as an exotic novelty from the wilds of Africa, spread through the Middle East’s sophisticated coffee houses, spurred intellectual discourse in the European enlightenment, fueled the grind of the industrial revolution, and now energizes the ceaseless pulse of the digital age. In this exploration, we’ll delve into some of the unexpected, bizarre, and often misunderstood aspects of this beloved drink, separating the facts from the fictions and shedding light on the hidden corners of coffee’s enduring legacy.

Facts:

Coffee was originally eaten: The origin of coffee is thought to be Ethiopia, where the coffee cherries and their beans were initially eaten by slaves taken from Sudan to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. They would grind the beans and mix them with fat to create a kind of energy ball. (now in chocolate covered varieties).

Coffee led to the invention of the webcam: The first webcam was developed at the University of Cambridge to monitor a coffee pot in the computer science department’s Trojan Room to avoid wasted trips to an empty pot.

Beethoven was a coffee lover: Beethoven was such a fan of the brew that he’d count 60 beans per cup before making his coffee. He believed this to be the perfect amount for his preferred taste.

Coffee is a fruit: Coffee beans are actually the pits of a cherry-like berry that grow on bushes. Even though coffee is actually a seed, it’s called a bean because of its resemblance to actual beans.

Fictions:

“Coffee stunts your growth“: This is a common myth that has been debunked by many scientific studies. There is no evidence that coffee consumption has any significant effects on a person’s physical growth.

“Espresso has more caffeine than regular coffee“: While it’s true that espresso contains more caffeine per volume, a typical serving of espresso is much smaller than a serving of regular coffee. Therefore, a cup of brewed coffee will generally have more caffeine than a shot of espresso.

“Coffee dehydrates you“: This myth likely stems from the fact that caffeine can have a diuretic effect, but regular coffee drinkers develop a tolerance to this effect. For most people, the water content in coffee will offset any dehydrating effects.

“The darker the roast, the stronger the coffee“: Many people believe that a darker roast means a stronger or more caffeinated coffee. In fact, lighter roasts tend to have slightly more caffeine because the roasting process reduces caffeine content. The “strength” people associate with dark roasts is actually a stronger flavor, not more caffeine.

These are just a few of the many facts and fictions about coffee. The world of coffee is full of fascinating history, science, and cultural nuances. I will share more as I uncover them.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, some will result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.

Global Grinds: Enjoying Coffee Traditions Named After Nations

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Coffee, one of the world’s most beloved beverages, has a rich and diverse tradition that spans across countries and cultures. The way it is prepared and consumed varies widely, offering a distinct testament to the unique culinary artistry of each region. These variations have often been so significant that several coffee preparations have been named after the countries or regions where they were originated or popularized. From the potent, drip-filtered delight of Vietnamese coffee to the sweet, rich notes of a Cuban Cafecito, the world of coffee is as diverse as the countries they represent. I have been researching popular named ones, here is a list of coffee drinks that are named after the countries they are associated with:

  1. Vietnamese coffee: This is often made with a small metal French drip filter and sweetened condensed milk.
  2. Turkish coffee: A method of coffee preparation where finely powdered roast coffee beans are boiled in a pot, usually with sugar, and served where the grounds are allowed to settle.
  3. Italian coffee (Espresso): A concentrated form of coffee served in small, strong shots and is the base for many coffee drinks.
  4. Greek coffee: Similar to Turkish coffee, but is sometimes served with a glass of cold water.
  5. Cuban coffee (Cafecito): This is a type of espresso that originated in Cuba after espresso machines were first imported there from Italy.
  6. Irish coffee: A cocktail consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred, and topped with cream.
  7. Mexican coffee (Cafe de olla): It is traditional Mexican coffee beverage. To prepare cafe de olla, it is essential to use a traditional earthen clay pot, as this gives a special flavor to the coffee.
  8. Ethiopian coffee (Buna): Coffee is a huge part of Ethiopian culture, and the coffee ceremony is a common practice. Buna is a type of coffee prepared in a special Ethiopian clay coffee pot known as a jebena.

Remember, the naming of these coffees does not necessarily mean that they are exclusively consumed in these countries, or that they are the most popular coffee drinks in those countries. The names often reflect where the style of coffee was created or has a cultural significance. I will continue to expand on more particular information about these, I have already dug into a few of these and shared.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, some will result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.

Coffee Myths Debunked: Stirring the Truth into Your Cup

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Coffee, beloved by many of us for its aroma, flavor, and stimulating properties, is often a subject of numerous myths and misinformation. With its global popularity, it’s not surprising that it becomes a center for various debates regarding its effects on health, caffeine content, and more. From age-old tales of stunted growth to misconceptions about caffeine levels in different roasts, many of these claims lack scientific grounding. Let’s debunk some of these widespread coffee misconceptions that have brewed alongside our favorite cup.

Coffee Dehydrates You: While it’s true that caffeine can have a mild diuretic effect, the amount of water in a cup of coffee tends to make up for this. As a result, drinking moderate amounts of coffee doesn’t dehydrate you under normal circumstances.

Coffee Stunts Your Growth: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that drinking coffee stunts growth. This myth might have originated from old studies that associated coffee with bone loss, but those findings are outdated and have been debunked.

Espresso Has More Caffeine than Regular Coffee: This is a matter of serving size. While espresso has more caffeine per volume, a typical serving of espresso is much smaller than a serving of regular coffee. Therefore, a cup of drip coffee often contains more total caffeine than a shot of espresso.

Coffee Helps You Sober Up: Coffee might help with the drowsiness associated with alcohol, but it doesn’t help metabolize alcohol faster. Drinking coffee can give the impression of being less drunk, but it doesn’t change the body’s level of intoxication.

Dark Roast Coffee Has More Caffeine: In fact, the roasting process breaks down the caffeine molecule. Thus, dark roast beans, which are roasted longer, actually have slightly less caffeine than light roast beans. However, the difference is quite small and likely won’t significantly affect the caffeine content of your cup.

Decaf Coffee is Caffeine-Free: Decaffeinated coffee still contains small amounts of caffeine. While it’s significantly less than regular coffee, it’s not completely caffeine-free.

Coffee is Bad for Your Health: While it’s true that excessive coffee consumption can have negative effects, moderate coffee intake can actually have several health benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants and has been associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease.

Remember, most of these effects depend on various factors including the quantity of coffee consumed, individual tolerance to caffeine, and overall diet and lifestyle. I’m not a doctor, these are just bits of information I found helpful when thinking about things people say about my favorite drink.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, some will result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.