Interesting that Starbucks in the Philippines (Rustan's) is continuing to mess up a good thing, or what's left of it, anyway: a 'gimme the money and hope they don't notice' theme?
Using 'Lactel' as a replacement for full cream fresh milk, the flavour of their lattes now are horrible. And this bad decision is happening at all three stores, at Ledsma/Robinson and Megaworld also. Although it's best to not depart from a successful formula, Starbucks also has slipped internationally in the past 10 years or so because many of their best baristas have left to start or work at better shops, less over-roasted beans are better sellers, and, except for some great barista kids, mediocrity has taken over...
Will only go there for their blonde and medium beans. All else is not improving but going the other way. But most major changes are all about profits, in the hopes it slides past most chinoy customers. As really good artisan coffee shops are still missing from this country, this downward trend will likely continue. For where the food in general is just about the worst in the world, what can one expect from a non-discerning blended people who are split between the privileged pseudo-upper-middle class and the crushingly poor indigenous?
Ah too bad, but ng buhay, diba? read more