James Jenner, at 10:15pm 9th Nov 2007, wrote:

I have found that a lot of the Highstreet chain coffee houses produce tasteless non descript coffee at exhorbitant prices. I now grind my own beans, and produce an excellent cup at a fraction of the cost.

Clare McDougall, at 11:07am 12th Nov 2007, wrote:

I'm sorry but i have to disagree, Costa make a pretty damn good coffee (& their cakes aren't bad too) as for starbucks i tried a cappuccino once & ended up with a tasteless cup of cold froth, & they are well over priced, living in Whitley Bay in the North East of England, just about every 4th shop is a coffee shop of some sort, Pavlova Heart, Cafe Europa, Cibo, The Boardwalk, nice strong cups of tasty coffee.... If your ever in the area make sure you indulge in a cup of their finest coffees from Americano, espresso to cappuccino & latte... It'll be worth the trip!!

Tony Mosely, at 6:01pm 13th Nov 2007, wrote:

I am sorry but I am a fan of Starbucks. But I always have an extra shot. It makes all the difference. They treat their staff well so they are always nice to the customer. Go on, try an extra shot next time.

Lucas Carl Pauling, at 7:16pm 13th Nov 2007, wrote:

I have to admit that I love starbucks... but then again, I wouldn't say they serve what I call real coffee. Being Swiss and living in the UK, I do have to say that in general, when I ask for coffee in the UK, I get a horible drink... I wouldn't call it tastless... just aweful. Especially compared to a swiss cafee which serves real coffee, usually freshly ground.

George Spencer, at 10:09am 14th Nov 2007, wrote:

I must be as common as muck, for I think the Nescafe Gold, Kenco, Mellow Birds (yes it's still on the go) are excellent drinks at realistic prices. They are just as good as the over-priced coffee shop products, but then as I say, I'm as common as muck.

Alex, at 4:56pm 14th Nov 2007, wrote:

I must admit that I love a good cup of real coffee, by that I mean grinding your own beans, there is nothing like it, the aroma, the taste. Coffee shops do not sell real coffee, it may look like coffee but it does not taste good. Go on try some coffee beans, you will not go back to any other kind.

Carla Rankin, at 2:48pm 16th Nov 2007, wrote:

I used to like coffee with a provencette from Deli France. The only place in Leeds that I could go and have a really nice,strong and tasty coffee but I think the chain has shut down or maybe it's just closed in Leeds. I do go to Starbucks because I like the Panninis but whenever I get a coffee I never enjoy it.

Runninggoose, at 12:33pm 18th Nov 2007, wrote:

being a chef who has worked with italians for for over 20 years who are always moaning how hard it is to find a good decent coffee to serve to customers.

the amazing thing is that most people prefer a good old cup of nescafe.

yes lots of italian style coffes are sold but at least half the customers ask for instant over filter or frothy or expresso.

As For starbucks the first time i went was last week.

the cup was dirty and pot marked although the coffee just seemed like any other. nothing special to write home about .

a good instant with your own frothed milk on top is as good. in fact nescafe instant style frothy coffees (skinny latte for one) are better than the one i had at starbucks. but then when your out your hardley going to be able to make your own .

Plus you get the social surroundings.

so its not all bad even at starbucks and the staff were the friendlist i have ever come across.

coffee brands are like cars. no one brand or type will appeal to everyone. so its a case of finding what you like and sticking with it.

[unsubscribed], at 9:36am 19th Nov 2007, wrote:

The trouble with 'British' coffee (even if they are originally US chains) is that the staff hardly ever seem to take any care over the most important bit - the steaming (or 'stretching') of the milk. Let's face it, the large automated machines in all of the chains take care of delivering the espresso and the brand takes care of the bean blend, so the bit left to the individual operative is the milk - and they frequently wreck the whole thing.

We all hate queues, but if I have to wait a further minute in order to get a great coffee over a mediocre one, I'd wait every time - perhaps the staff feel the pressure to serve quickly doesn't allow them the chance to take the care necessary?

Best ask the coffee chains...

Janet Harvey, at 3:07pm 20th Nov 2007, wrote:

The American coffee here in the UK tastes nothing like the coffee that you get in America. In America it is far nicer

Paul Joseph Devlin, at 8:32pm 26th Nov 2007, wrote:

The large chains as per usual worry about money far in excess more than they do quality. Starbucks is the McDonalds of the coffee world, of course it is going to be poor coffee. Individual coffee bars tend to be of better quality than that of the large chains (little known fact). Those making your coffee in the large chains are using an automated or semi-automated machine whilst in the smaller coffee shops/bars coffee quality is solely reliant on the trained baristas skill. Starbucks like many other brands on the planet is a place to be seen in and can be found to be over-priced for poor quality, quite like many other brands of the world. Some of the individual coffee bars in Belfast most notably Arizona and Clements will produce better quality coffee and service than the large chains. Smaller coffee bars will every-time give a more fuller coffee, the aroma, crema and taste along with being prepared with great skill that has come with years experience and training.

Caroline Lamming-Chowen, at 4:09pm 28th Nov 2007, wrote:

Has anyone tried the new twining's real coffee oh my god its heven beautiful and quite brittish. There is no way we are behind in the coffe era anymore every good office is now defined by a coffeee machine and as i personally own one myself and can quite happily say the morning would be impossible without my latte machiatto!- so av it US. x

Denise Thompson, at 4:45pm 29th Nov 2007, wrote:

Keep all your designer coffees as i enjoy a lovely cup of Kenco topped up with a good measure of coffee liquer and marshmallows on top and where do i get it at home where else, including the coffee liquer it is far nicer and cheaper that any chain coffee

Hugo, at 8:53am 8th Dec 2007, wrote:

I'm a Restaurant Manager, we sell a lot of coffee because we have our own blend that customers don't find bitter and has not got that harsh aftertaste, so I think us Brits do know how to make a good cuppa!

David L Hepburn, at 11:56am 28th Dec 2007, wrote:

I was so sick of being ripped of by coffee shops I bought a gaggia coffee maker. The result is great coffee, freshly ground and great to taste.Any one who tries my coffee is impressed at the Quality that the gaggia can produce at home .

Kay Butler, at 10:16am 8th Feb 2008, wrote:

Like david l i feel the same, getting ripped off over differant brands of coffee,and coffe shops, so i rooted out my coffe maker,and starting making my own, not only does it taste better, but leaves that great coffee smell in your kitchen, who needs coffee shops,

Hayleigh, at 8:30pm 10th Feb 2008, wrote:

costa coffee is expensive but i do agree that you pay for what you get. costa coffee is great full of flavour and you get just enough. i cant comment on starbucks never had a coffee there sorry. i also think that you can find a good mug of coffee in a jar its just finding the right one for you personaly i like Douwe Egberts.

Ann Bishop, at 11:39am 13th Feb 2008, wrote:

Costa IS the best of a very bad bunch but I must say that I will go out of my way to have coffe and lunch in my local high street, privately owned, coffee house. The staff are great and the coffe is to die for!!! The only 2 places that I have had better were not in this country!!!!

anne hopkins, at 9:43pm 13th Feb 2008, wrote:

I bought a Philips Senseo coffee machine that uses pods. It is great to use with a great variety of flavours to use.I find starbucks too expensive.