By Marc Sim
Although Starbucks pledges to use 100% Arabica beans in all their coffee products, recent rapid expansion into emerging markets has led to a decrease in quality of their beans. The massive size of such a company makes it impossible for them to consistently purchase high quality coffee beans. Therefore, this growing coffee company is seeking to purchase beans from cheaper farms or implore the usage of blends. To mask the inferior taste of beans, sweeteners such as caramel, cinnamon powder, whipped cream and milk are added on top of coffee. It is common knowledge that the Starbucks menu is packed with such choices that destroy the taste of coffee. Another recent initiative to cope with rising demand is the introduction of VIA, packets of pre-mixed instant coffee. All consumers have to do is to add hot water and wait for 10 seconds, then stir. Moreover, with the introduction of the drive-thru, Starbucks has inevitably transformed itself from a café into a McDonalds of the coffee industry. To keep the cost of overheads low, Starbucks hires a significant number of young, part-timers to serve as “baristas”. A true barista is well-trained in brewing and serving the perfect cup of coffee. Just like a wine sommelier, he is knowledgeable about technical details such as the precise temperature of water, water to coffee ratios and even the different types of milk. To be called a barista, one has to garner years of experience to master the art of coffee making. It is unworthy of these employees, who have had merely weeks of on the job training to be called baristas. Their inexperience has given rise to the reason why Starbucks is unable to keep the taste of their coffee consistent. Furthermore, Starbucks had replaced high-end La Marzocco coffee machines with automatic espresso machines in many of its stores. Not only does the change of machinery affect the taste of coffee, Starbucks has essentially become a place where the baristas are simply button-pushers. Are consumers getting a bang for their buck? Are they simply purchasing a brand and not the product to enjoy the feeling of walking down the street with a Starbucks cup in hand? In short, Starbucks serves coffee for people who dislike or are unaware about the true taste of coffee. In fact, however, there are a wide variety of cafes in Taipei that serve better quality brews than the Starbucks round the corner. Contrary to “fast food” coffee culture, one particular coffee shop in Taipei stands out from the rest. Nan Mei Ka Fei (南美咖啡)adheres to high standards of coffee. The presence of this establishment is ingrained in the hearts of generations of Taiwanese, and in many aspects it is a better place for genuine coffee lovers to pay a visit to. 南美咖啡 (Nan Mei Ka Fei) No.44, Chengdu Rd., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City 108, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Located off a busy street in bustling Ximending, 南美咖啡 is a comfortable enclave for coffee connoisseurs. The beige interiors of the walls and the grey mosaic flooring evoke a nostalgic feeling. At this coffee house, high quality beans are sourced from all over the world and sold exclusively. Coffee brewing products such as filters and coffee machines of all brands are also available. One of my recommendations is the In-House Special Blend (85NT). Served in a small cup, a pleasant mild aroma wafts through the air. Expertly brewed by a middle aged man with years of experience, the temperature is well-controlled. Upon my first sip, it gave off a bittersweet aftertaste. The In-House Special Blend is also served with two packs of caramelized biscuits. It is the perfect choice after a heavy meal. Fans of stronger blends should give the Mandheling a try. The Mandheling is a coffee variety originating from the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It contains a rich, bitter aftertaste. Well-brewed Mandheling is so smooth that coffee-lovers like me have a knack of letting the coffee linger on my tongue for an extra moment. I strongly recommend anyone looking for a sensory experience to sample the brews at this coffeehouse. Steeped in history and tradition, this coffeehouse has been in operation for 43 years. This coffee store has pioneered many firsts. It became the first coffeehouse to operate in Shilin District. Decades ago, it was the first coffeehouse to import a state of the art coffee roasting machine. A mainstay in Taiwanese coffee culture, 南美咖啡 has truly withstood the test of time. a
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May 2024
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