Cost-a Living Crisis

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Zilnad** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 3:58 pm

YouTube · PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Stugene** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:01 pm

Knoyleo wrote:I'll usually try independent places if I'm near one, but otherwise Costa is my preferred choice of chain cafes. Not really sure why, but I'm sure I read somewhere that their coffees are stronger.

It tastes stronger because both Costa and Starbucks basically cremate their beans (like vienna roast level). It's not necassarily got more caffeine though.

YouTube · PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Stugene** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:02 pm

Victor Mildew wrote:
Zilnad wrote:I will say that Costa is awful. I normally use a cafetier at home.

Ooòoo laa dee dah look at me I'm so rich I've got my own cafeteria!

He's like Bono in I'm Alan Partridge

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **speedboatchase** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:02 pm

jawa_ wrote:
speedboatchase wrote:...Bromley, and I was stunned to see that high street was deemed Gailsworthy...

I still think of Bromley as being pretty upmarket; a (mainly) lovely area with expensive housing. I used to do my Christmas shopping there years ago, before Bluewater opened. I had heard that the shopping area has - like nearly all high streets! - deteriorated a bit in past years, though?

It can get a bit dodgy, especially coming back from the cinema after dark, but there seems to be a bit of investment in the past year with Nike and Apple opening at the Glades mall. As you say, some of the houses in the nearby areas are stunning.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **rinks** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:04 pm

Knoyleo's right. There was a recent report and Costa has by far the highest caffeine levels.

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ca ... 7cA4G1zh1S

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Lagamorph** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:09 pm

Can't believe people are voting Tim Hortons.

My wife tried their French Vanilla coffee last week and it was literally just powdered instant coffee with water added. They didn't even mix it very well as it was still powdery at the bottom.

At least with Costa and Starbucks you get actual espresso.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Tomous** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:11 pm

Edit: nevermind, should have read on :slol:

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Knoyleo** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:11 pm

rinks wrote:Knoyleo's right. There was a recent report and Costa has by far the highest caffeine levels.

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ca ... 7cA4G1zh1S

That's what I call bang for buck!

rinks wrote:Knoyleo's right.

sigged

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **aayl1** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:13 pm

rinks wrote:lol at the Pret snub.

Yeah came in to vote for that. Also 50p for a filter coffee if you bring your own cup!

Edit: which looking at that chart above is amazing bang for buck!

YouTube · PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Stugene** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:41 pm

rinks wrote:Knoyleo's right. There was a recent report and Costa has by far the highest caffeine levels.

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ca ... 7cA4G1zh1S

Goodness that's a lot. I thought he was only referring to how strong the taste was, but that's certainly nutso.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Prototype** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:42 pm

Greggs all day long. And if you have any constipation symptoms, these will clear you right out.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Vermilion** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:51 pm

Jenuall wrote:Never even heard of Tim Horton's - was assuming that was a joke option!

I've seen a couple of branches, there's one in Cardiff and another in Birmingham.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **jiggles** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:56 pm

3 Costa Cappuccinos in a single day is enough caffeine to induce seizures. What the strawberry float.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Knoyleo** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:59 pm

jiggles wrote:3 Costa Cappuccinos in a single day is enough caffeine to induce seizures. What the strawberry float.

That's my weekend planned.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Jenuall** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 6:15 pm

Some of those caffeine numbers are legitimately insane :shock:

That gooseberry fool ain't healthy, forget the sugar tax there needs to be a caffeine tax to reign in some of this excess!

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Sprouty** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 6:20 pm

I voted Costa, though there are independents which I really love. Anyone who votes Starbucks needs their tounges examined! :slol:

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Dowbocop** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:20 pm

Stugene wrote:
Knoyleo wrote:I'll usually try independent places if I'm near one, but otherwise Costa is my preferred choice of chain cafes. Not really sure why, but I'm sure I read somewhere that their coffees are stronger.

It tastes stronger because both Costa and Starbucks basically cremate their beans (like vienna roast level). It's not necassarily got more caffeine though.

Starbucks is 100% Arabica. Costa is 7:1 Arabica to Robusta. Nero is 8:3 Arabica to Robusta.

Robusta beans are easier to grow than Arabica so are generally cheaper. They are more bitter in flavour and create a better crema (the light brown froth at the top of an espresso). They also contain more caffeine. So in terms of recipe it should go Nero>Costa>Starbucks for caffeine level (there may well be further variations in actual caffeine levels due to the level of roasting and different strains of beans etc).

In terms of bitterness of flavour and crema (the attributes of Robusta) a similar order should apply, but I imagine the roasting level would have a greater effect on flavour than on caffeine level (apparently Costa recently changed their roast to change the flavour).

Arabica is harder to grow and therefore more expensive so it's perceived to be "better", but it's really a matter of taste. If you want a good espresso you want some Robusta beans in there. Contrary to popular belief, Costa's spiritual rival is not Starbucks, it's Nero. Obviously all three are after the "pot of tea in a shopping centre" crowd, but Costa and Nero aim to provide a European coffee experience, whereas Starbucks aims to provide a more mellow, Seattle-style flavour (which is easier to drown in a pint of oversyruped milk :shifty:

).

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Dowbocop** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:23 pm

jiggles wrote:3 Costa Cappuccinos in a single day is enough caffeine to induce seizures. What the strawberry float.

When we were doing flat white training before it got rolled out in the UK we had a load of practice drinks knocking about. I ended up drinking three of them in ninety minutes and I. Felt. Rough :dread:

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Vermilion** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:25 pm

aayl1 wrote:
rinks wrote:lol at the Pret snub.

Yeah came in to vote for that. Also 50p for a filter coffee if you bring your own cup!

Pret is decent too, i sometimes pop in their branch at Hammersmith.

PostRe: Cost-a Living Crisis by **Prototype** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:07 pm

Starbucks tastes like burnt dirt. My local one does anyway.

Can't recommend a Greggs latte enough, tastes like savings.

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