Are you a fan of the Starbucks Chai Latte? Passion Tea? A black tea drinker? Refresh by Tazo? Rumor has it that Starbucks will be changing the tea line up soon! This made me think that there is no better time than now to take a peek into the world of Tazo Tea at their headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Tazo is the company that supplies Starbucks with all of their tea offerings.
About one year ago, when the Vanilla Rooibos tea latte and tea infusion drinks were launched, Starbucks produced a short video covering the changes in the tea menu, and included in that video was a few minutes tour of the Tazo tea facility. Your tour guide is Apurva, a Tazo employee, who tells you a little about the lore of the Tazo Tea stone, and the place where tea blends are created and made before being shipped to many different Starbucks, and grocery stores too.
What’s your favorite tea drink at Starbucks?
Enjoy your very short peak into the home of Tazo Tea!
This post is the kissing cousin to the tea menu featured a few weeks ago in this blog. At the same time that Starbucks experimented with whole leaf in their stores, they tested a larger sized iced beverage. It was called “double grande” and 32 ounces in size. The test size was intended for Tazo tea beverages, and not Frappuccinos. Unfortunately, I didn’t save any of the old 32 ounce to-go cups, and the only picture I could find is attached. The “double grande” size prominently says Tazo Tea on it. Adjacent to it is a typical Venti Starbucks cup, and then next to that is one of the very early cold reusable iced to-go tumblers.
What do you guys think of a “double grande” size? Great for cooling off in the summer, or reminds you of “super size” me too much?
Edit on March 3, 2010:
Much to my surprise, Starbucks again is testing a super large cold drink size. The new round of testing is called the “Trenta” and is a test product currently, through the end of the month, in Phoenix and Tampa.
I have a recent blog post featuring the “Trenta” cup here:
Michelle: DadCooks – I’ve worked in retail for a long time and anyone that has worked for me has heard me exclaim “we can’t sell it from the backroom!” In fact, I’ve had people tell me...
Diele: Starbucks always has launch dates for whole bean and product – I get frustrated that you can get it online first though!
Michelle: We didn’t get any signage about the free drink with the purchase of a bag of blonde beans. However, we’ve had it on our daily offerings board since Thursday. I personally really like the fact that...
Melody: @Diele @CamSpi @MagicKat – I know I have mentioned this before on this site (and perhaps even other blogs?) but all this talk of having partners knowledgeable about promotions reminded me of this: Years ago...
Diele: We have no clue where our signage is for it, but I plan to chalk ink about it on the daily offerings board and make a a frame sign by the drive thru order box.
MagicKat: Yeah we have a bunch of signage for it that goes up tonight. So far the Blonde has gotten love it or hate it reactions with about 25% saying it’s still too bold. Hopefully we’ll be able to sell...
Melody: I just noticed this, and I haven’t really heard anyone talking about this blonde roast promotion – Free any size drink when you buy a pound of Blonde roast OR a box of Veranda Via Feb 6 thru 8 (US and...
Taylor: Thank you for the pictures Melody! I love seeing success stories such as Tiana’s! It gives me hope! Winter, Thank you for the info on other stores that also have fish tanks. How interesting! I really like...
Diele: I was told to call ahead and plan on getting there early when they get a shipment since they go fast! Let me know if you need their phone number.
hayley: Mesa is closer than Phoenix. That is good to hear!
Diele: The location nearest to me is Power Road and McDowell in Mesa, Arizona. I do not recall the Pheonix one as it is quite a distance for me. As for the Clover store, I don’t recall where they said. It was all...
Melody: @Denise – I know the one photo that you sent me of your store’s major remodel looked like a disappointment. I know from what I saw, I am heartbroken and feeling let down at 2470′s remodel. The...
denise r: I did meet with our dm this morning…who does seem to agree and understand what I SEE in this. She has never seen such ridiculous little cheap-looking 2 chairs and tiny table…also that the a few of the...
purple1: Dad Cooks your comment hit home on so many levels. Today, I was scrolling the SB website and saw that I had 75 stars in January and was thinking wow and then thought SB surely does not appreciate my business. No...
DadCooks: denise r — I understand your pain. Starbucks does not seem to realize that to many of us regular customers and dedicated Partners that Starbucks really is their third-place, a part of you, a home away from...
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