50,000 Cuppa’s Runneth Over

50,000 Cuppa’s Runneth Over Starbucks to Serve Thousands of Complimentary Espresso Shots During First Ever
Add-A-Shot Days

AUCKLAND; 29 June 2006

Most Kiwis take at least one coffee break per day, and tomorrow, Starbucks Coffee Company wants to treat those Kiwis to a perfect shot of signature Starbucks® Espresso Roast. Starbucks will host its first-ever Add-A-Shot Day, inviting customers to indulge in a complimentary shot of Starbucks® Espresso Roast – by itself, or added to their favourite beverage, on June 30 from store opening until 11a.m. In the 45 stores across New Zealand, partners (employees) will brew thousands of espresso shots for surprised customers and delighted commuters.

“This is what the noble art of espresso is all about: exceptional coffee beans, expertly roasted, perfectly ground, and freshly brewed,” said Steve Montgomery, general manager of Starbucks NZ stores. “We want customers from Invercargill to Auckland, and all points in between, to visit us tomorrow for a complimentary shot of the best espresso they’ve ever had.”

Customers are invited to visit Starbucks coffee houses tomorrow from opening until 11a.m. for a complimentary shot of Starbucks® Espresso Roast. The Company estimates it will serve 50,000 shots of espresso in its 45 stores during this event, which will continue every Friday until 11 August. Starbucks Coffee Masters, certified coffee experts, also will be available to introduce customers to coffees from around the world and to offer tips on how to brew great espresso at home.

Starbucks developed its signature espresso blend in the late 1970s to create the perfect shot of espresso. This blend of coffees is the heart of every Starbucks® coffee beverage. Each espresso shot is delivered with the passion and artistry of a skilled Starbucks barista.

“Coffee is the heart of our business. Perfectly prepared espresso shots form the essence of each handcrafted beverage,” said Montgomery. “Starbucks goes to extreme lengths to ensure every beverage is perfectly prepared for each customer.

Each sweet and caramelly espresso shot is created with precision and passion whether it’s for a pure and delicious espresso shot or to be used in one of our popular espresso-based handcrafted beverages like caffè latte, cappuccino or flat white. Starbucks® espresso is the essence of your drink.”

Starbucks® Espresso Roast was developed with a shot of espresso in mind. It is a marriage of the highest quality arabica beans from Latin America and Asia Pacific that results in a coffee with soft acidity, spicy aroma, and a caramelly sweetness due to its darker roast. Every highly skilled Starbucks barista is trained to pull a perfect crèma-crowned shot.

Starbucks® Espresso Roast whole bean coffee is also a perfect choice to brew at home on every occasion. Its sweet and intense flavour is ideal for use in a coffee press, espresso machine or other brewing equipment. Freshly roasted whole bean coffee is available in 250g bags for $10.90.

In order to get the most out of Starbucks® Espresso Roast--or any Starbucks® coffee--Sarah Ulugia Faalua, New Zealand Coffee Ambassador from the Starbucks Onehunga store, recommends four fundamentals to brewing the best shot of espresso:

Proportion:

The recipe for great espresso is 1 ½ Tbsp (7g) of coffee for every 1 fl oz (30mL) shot. The proper dose brews steadily and evenly and nearly fills your filter insert, allowing just a small gap for the grounds to expand as they become saturated with water.

Grind:
Because espresso pours at such a rapid rate (taking only about 20 seconds to brew), you need a fine, powdery grind to get the full extraction. For the most accurate grind at home, use a burr grinder adjusted to the finest setting. If you’re using a blade grinder, grind beans for approximately 30 seconds.
Water:

Since water quality can affect the flavour of your espresso shot, the water you use should taste clean, fresh and free of impurities. If your local tap water tastes good, then it’s likely to make a good cup of coffee. Otherwise, consider using filtered or bottled water. Water stored for long periods in your espresso machine becomes stale and should be replaced frequently.
Freshness:

Espresso machines extract more of the flavourful coffee oils, so it’s recommended to start with fresh beans and grind them just before brewing. Once brewed, enjoy your shot immediately or incorporate it into your beverage within 10 seconds to fully savor its rich intensity.

About Starbucks
Through the dedication of our passionate partners (employees), Starbucks Coffee Company has transformed the way people in 37 countries enjoy their coffee, one cup at a time.

Starbucks is the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, with more than 11,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim.

The Company is committed to offering its customers the highest quality coffee and human connection through the Starbucks Experience, while striving to improve the social, environmental and economic well being of its partners, coffee farmers, countries of coffee origin, and the communities which it serves.

Through Ethos Water, Starbucks demonstrates its long history of integrating a social conscience into all aspects of its business. The Company surprises and delights its customers by producing and selling bottled Starbucks Frappuccino(R) coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot(R) espresso drink and Starbucks(R) superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships, and Starbucks(TM) Coffee and Cream Liqueurs through a marketing and distribution agreement, in other convenient locations outside its retail operations.

The Company's brand portfolio includes superpremium Tazo(R) teas, Starbucks Hear Music(TM) compact discs, Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia. These brands' unique and innovative personalities allow Starbucks to appeal to a broad consumer base.

ENDS

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