Starbucks has given the 2013 Anniversary Blend packaging a fresh new look! It gets a blast of color, instead of being a very brown package, as it has been in recent years. I like the new look!
One thing I really wanted to point out was that if you buy a pound on StarbucksStore.com right now, you get a cute little tasting cup with it. I assume that there is a limited number of the tasting cups, and it’s pretty cute and collectible! I already ordered my Anniversary Blend on StarbucksStore.com.
Here’s what the packaging and taster cup looks like from StarbucksStore.com:
I really want to take a minute to show off the new packaging. I love how it talks about the aged Indonesian beans on the backside of the bag:
Here’s the front of this year’s Anniversary Blend whole bean coffee:
Last year’s packaging looked like this:
You can click onto all of these photos to make them larger. I haven’t even tried this year’s Anniversary Blend yet, but I am looking forward to it!
For those who do not recall the history behind this coffee, it is one of just a few coffees offered by Starbucks which includes aged Indonesia beans, giving the coffee its characteristic spicy flavor. This coffee was first offered in 1996, in celebration of Starbucks’ 25th Anniversary! The original banner signage in stores looked like this:
And in celebration of the 25th Starbucks anniversary, partners wore tie-dye t-shirts that looked like this:
As always, do not re-use photos without permission. I kind of think it would be fun if next year’s Anniversary Blend was in yellow, red, and orange tie-dye packaging! 😉
New this year, Starbucks Anniversary Blend will be available in the Verismo Pod format, as well as a K-cup for Keurig coffee machines. Anniversary Blend lands in Starbucks stores everywhere on September 3, 2013, but of course you can order it now on StarbucksStore.com. (I can’t wait to be able to get Anniversary Blend for the Verismo!)
Enjoy!
Hope you enjoyed this quick look at Anniversary Blend.
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i love that little tasting cup! i collect them, so of course i have to have it!! thanks for the tip, melody!
ps: i like the new background 🙂
@Jocelyn – Since the packaging changed, I thought I should finally change the background too. I have zero web design skills, but I think this will work good enough! Thanks for noticing!
@melody – if you ever need help in the graphic design realm, please let me know! i’d love to help 🙂
Loved the design, hope they release it in VIA form.
I tried it at my store last week, its soooo good! I loved it in 2011, but last years was a bit dissapointing. It seemed much more ‘roasty’ than spicy, it also didnt seem as smooth. This years is spicy (I could taste cinnamon), and oh so smooth 😀 I’m smitten!
Im glad its also being offered in Verismo pod form, the pod line has been neglected, so this is a long-overdue addition, IMHO.
Im very much looking forward to rollout on the 3rd. Its going to look beautiful with the new packaging and merch.
Oh cool, I may have to order some verismo pods to get the little cup! I’m also pleased to see new additions to the verismo line.
I, too, am very excited and encouraged to see Anniversary Blend will be available in verismo pods! I have been concerned about the lack of growth in the verismo line. I have the machine, but it’s still in the box, and have debated turning it back in for the K cup machine. Any advice?
Love the tasting cup! Thanks for the tip!
@SnowWhite – I had the same thought: I wanted to buy Verismo pods and get the tasting cup, but when I browsed the website, it looked to me like you had to be buying the actual whole bean coffee (or a ground one pound bag of Anniversary Blend?) in order to get the tasting cup.
By the way, the Via Refreshers are on sale, so I bought a couple of the Strawberry Lemonade Refreshers – that still is, by far, the best one, in my humble opinion. ‘Course, taste is subjective.
@Bob – You are welcome! Did you order a bag?
Got my Anniversary Blend ordered. I actually got an email from Starbucks Store about ordering early to get the tasting cup. I got the Tribute one in 2011 and wish they’d do this offer with more blends.
Melody you have made me a full blown fan of Starbucks memorabilia. I live in New Jersey so I don’t have access to a Starbucks store, but after years of reading your blog, I now want to begin a collection of treasures. I am not just a coffee lover, but a lover of the story behind the coffee. Thank you so very much. I must order because I love that tasting cup and have learned the value of tasting and enjoying the coffee just after brewing and before I add a little cream or sweet. The inner barista in me is dying to come out!
I have a special affinity for Anniversary Blend because my original tenure at Starbucks began at the end of the original Anniversary Blend promotion. I never got one of the fun shirts, but we were still using the tie-dyed cups. Anniversary Blend is my favorite promotional coffee, I love the complexities of the Indonesian and Aged Indonesian coffees together (ironically, I’m not a really big fan of Sumatra itself). And I’m super excited to finally have this coffee available in Verismo pods, it’s been too long since we’ve had a promotional coffee in this format. In full disclosure, I should mention that I’m writing this while drinking a cup of Anniversary Blend I made as a pour over at home today.
Beautiful new packaging to the Anniversary Blend (turquoise, brown, and gold is one of my favorite color combination). Can’t wait to taste the blend!
I just love this packaging! How fun would it be to be on the design team and design all these new bags. This one and the Kati Kati are gorgeous! And Anniversary blend is always one of my favorites 🙂
Love the look back and history lesson. Can’t imagine walking into a store now and seeing partners wearing tie-dye T-shirts, but think it’d be festive.
Notes: Promo says U.S. only. Really wish they’d offer the cup in stores, although I imagine they’ll probably have a regular mug available.
I ordered* online the other day, and the tasting cup showed up as in-stock, but when I got the order and shipping confirmations, it said the cup was backordered. Not sure if it’s because it’s shipping separately, as expected, but wanted to mention to those who may wait to order – if you really want to make sure to get one, I wouldn’t wait too long (ebay can be expensive.).
* At first I added two bags to my cart to see if two tasting cups would be sent. (The details/disclaimer didn’t say one to a customer.) It only added one, so I only ordered one bag.
Just added another bag to a new cart (via mobile and desktop), but the tasting cup didn’t appear. Not sure why. I want more than one!
I clearly remember those t-shirts and when Anniversary Blend first came out. I wasn’t crazy about it then but on and off thru thru the yrs, I do sometimes like it. (not generally crazy about the spiciness) In any case, I hope I like this yrs…. never know until I taste it!
re: the t-shirts, I wish they would bring them back..not just this one but especially the Christmas ones! I loved those and looked forward to seeing what each yr would bring. They were very festive and fun, I thought. (and I LOVE red) Also wish they’d bring back the t-shirts for the promos…those also used to be standard. I really don’t see Sbux doing much these days to keep the partners ‘interested’, or so it seems from this side of the bar. This might be contributing to the ever-increasing turn-over rate of the partners. Just a thought!
In any case, I do remember the t-shirt and wish they’d start doing this again!
Thank God I never had to wear a tie-dye shirt like that! I was never a fan of wearing a gaudy t-shirt (Vivanno launch tee was a particularly ugly shade) three sizes too big for me for promos. And the wristbands for new frap launch…
I agree that partner turn-over seems higher than it was five or ten years ago (just based on my own experiences) but I don’t think the recent lack of tees or other tacky swag for partners is the cause of it.
On another hand entirely, I’m digging the Anniversary Blend bag design 🙂
@clare: I agree, I doubt the lack of t-shirts has to do with the very high partner turn-over rate (around here) but I still feel there must be something lacking in corp. Sbux not being able to maintain employees, now, it seems, more than ever. And it’s not because they’re all young college kids going back to school, or, more school etc. These are mostly partners (that I know of) who just do not like working for Sbux and get any number of different jobs in order to leave the world of Sbux. I don’t know why now more than before (it seems) but I do know of lots of unhappiness among lots of employees so….I just think whatever it is, maybe something more could be done to maintain them. It’s certainly hard on the ‘experienced’ (which at this point might be 2 mnths?) partners and I definitely feel for the new partners who have no idea what to do, in many situations. That’s a horrible feeling…..being unable to do a job because you just aren’t trained well enough yet and really shouldn’t be in the position they’re in. So, I don’t know an answer but I’m also not running Sbux. (just supporting it!)
btw, I use one of those (no one could ever really understand why they got them) frappuccino wrist bands as a sleeve for my coffee every day…. does work very well for that;)
@Melody – I added the Anniversary Verismo Pods to my cart and it automatically added the tasting cup as well. I just wish the Teavana pods were available because I’d like to order those too!
@denise r- The wristband as a sleeve?! Genius 😉 I agree with your thoughts on partner turn-over- I could give my opinion based on my years as a partner (left last year), but it would be really long and just get my blood pressure up haha…
The new packaging is gorgeous, and I definitely need to add the tasting cup to my collection. Just letting any interested parties know, the purchase of Anniversary Blend Verismo Pods counts toward the tasting cup promotion.
As for having promotional shirts/accessories for partners, I kind of dig them. They’re a relatively low cost way to boost store and partner morale and help to really get the word out about new products. Plus wearing shirts help to break up the monotony of our usual dress.
I ordered it, too for the free cup as well.
And am little upset, it claims never I got it. When clicked on special offer, before I push ordered. Why is that? I want my cup, or else. I want a refund.
Back in stock at store.starbucks.com
When will it be available in stores?