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July 31, 2005
The English Drink
If memory serves, it used to be tea. That’s the old stereotype isn’t it? Masterpiece Theater episodes 9-27, conversations over tea. Not anymore. I’d heard that coffee had begun to dominate the English palette in recent years but I hadn’t realized to full extent of the change until today. Nothing demonstrates the comparatively recent English addiction to coffee than the incredible prevalence of Starbuck’s shops in London. During the ten minute walk from the office near Aldwych St. to the company flat in Holborn, I pass no fewer than three Starbuck’s shops. If I walk another couple of minutes down High Holborn, add another. Turn south down Chancery Lane and within a minute your up to five.
Now there are many who decry the spread of Starbuck’s as a pox upon the land, driving out small local shops like Walmart on caffeine. For me, it’s all good. Starbuck’s just happens to specialize in the sort of blend I like most; dark roasted. I’ve ordering coffee from Starbuck’s since before they had a store east of the Mississippi. What’s more, I don’t recall all that many half decent coffee shops being about until Starbuck’s raised the bar on quality coffee.
In any case, it’s not like Starbuck’s is the only game in town here. There are at least as many non-Starbuck’s coffee vendors. In fact, the whole city seems to be pustuler with coffee shops which is just fine with me.
Filed under Life in London.
Posted by eric at July 31, 2005 02:50 PM