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For 3 days you can get any coffee from Costa for 50p. Includes syrups and any milk preference.
You have to use the app and scan the code for all drinks 50p.
It's going on for 3 days, today being the second.
You can get upto 5 coffees per day.
I'm going to be wired all day now.
Getting your customers to mainline five mochofrappawhotsits in a working day is probably the best way to put them off Costa coffee for life. 🙂
My lad's schoolmates were wandering around feeling very rough yesterday afternoon, he says.
They've picked the only 3 days this week I can't use it....
They did say they hate you, 😁
Just popped in to check the coffee snobs were around, and they are 😉
That’s made my £3.79 Starbucks cappicino feel lukewarm...
How do you make it cost £3.79?!
Just popped in to check the coffee snobs were around, and they are
🙋🏻♂️
There has been a lockdown 'proper' coffee boom like all other home comforts/luxuries - wonder if the big chains will genuinely see sales go back to previous levels now more people have realised their coffee is mediocre at best.
(How did I do molgrips?)
How do you make it cost £3.79?!
Make it in a building that costs £50,000 a year in rent, staffed by £20,000 a year employees, using electricty and machinery that needs purchasing ?
I actually meant did he add extras to this drink cos I didn't think it was that expensive, but thanks for the mansplain of how business works weeksy 😘
wonder if the big chains will genuinely see sales go back to previous levels now more people have realised their coffee is mediocre at best.
Of course not, for the same reason pubs still sell lots of Carling and similar.
There's a place in the market for big chains selling mundane stuff, just as there is for niche places. The relative market share may vary though.
There are two Costas within walking distance from my house, and you can get to the Starbucks at the service station if you want to go through the hole in the fence. But otherwise, those are our options.
If good independents are successful (and are easy to find amongst all the shite independents) then the chains will have to start offering more quality/niche options.
How do you make it cost £3.79?!
I’m a captive audience trapped in Center Parcs where Starbucks are the coffee franchise. As I’m on hols I thought I’d treat myself...
But only once, I brought my own coffee and an aeropress with me. 🙂
They did say they hate you
You'd be paranoid as well if everyone hated you
It was so popular yesterday it crashed the app and they were really struggling to apply the discount in the shop!
Just popped in to check the coffee snobs were around
Snob? I'm sure one four quid frothy coffee from Costa is just delicious. My point was about necking five of them in one day...
Our Costa applies the discount if you wave the card, no need to faff with the app...
As a ploy it works: I've had breakfast at costa twice now. Damn them!
Thanks for that. I'll be taking my daughter there on the way home from the woods then.
Thankfully I don't need an app on my phone to use my coffee machine and bean grinder 😁
Thankfully I don’t need an app on my phone to use my coffee machine and bean grinder
I'd imagine lugging a small genny with you to power them is much less convenient for a social(y distanced) cup whilst walking round town though no?
Damn! Drove Swindon-Manchester-Liverpool-Queensferry-Swindon on Monday and had to buy full priced caffeine, now I’m sat at home without a costa for 5miles it’s silly cheap.
I’d imagine lugging a small genny with you to power them is much less convenient for a social(y distanced) cup whilst walking round town though no?
No it all makes for the authentic artisan coffee experience!
I’m a captive audience trapped in Center Parcs where Starbucks are the coffee franchise. As I’m on hols I thought I’d treat myself…
One the one hand Centre Parcs - way-hey-hey!!
On the other, how shit is your coffee life that Starbucks is a treat? 😷😷
On the other, how shit is your coffee life that Starbucks is a treat?
Starbucks - making Costa taste good since 1995
Our local Costa has a zero health rating due to not having hot water for hand washing
I prefer Starbucks to Costa. Costa seems to have a mellower house blend (which is fine for an Americano) and seems to put MUCH emphasis on cakes, syrups, milks, etc. Starbucks house blend has a bit more punch and goes better as a flat white or a lesser extent a latte. Starbucks also have better food.
If good independents are successful (and are easy to find amongst all the shite independents) then the chains will have to start offering more quality/niche options.
Motorway services aside (because they're far more likely IME to be rubbish). This is the problem.
Everyone loves a Sunday clubrun to a cafe somewhere. Very rarely do you get a coffee that's actually better than the big chains though? It's still made by whoever is behind the counter, it's still that strange halfway froth between a latte and a cappuccino regardless of which you ask for, it still tastes either over expressed or of nothing.
Maybe there are some shops that'll test the water temperature, time the shots, have their pressure gauges calibrated by UKAS, and adjust all those to get the perfect espresso for each type of coffee that the customer asks for, and have genuinely found a better source of coffee beans for each of them too. But after 4 hours on the motorway there's something to be said for a large Gregs Latte and breakfast roll for £2.70. It's a treat, it's not the best, but at least it's consistent.
I prefer Starbucks to Costa. Costa seems to have a mellower house blend (which is fine for an Americano) and seems to put MUCH emphasis on cakes, syrups, milks, etc. Starbucks house blend has a bit more punch and goes better as a flat white or a lesser extent a latte. Starbucks also have better food.
Nero for me. Costa's nice enough. Starbucks just tastes like they've burnt the beans.
a large Gregs Latte and breakfast roll for £2.70. It’s a treat
you O.K hun?
Have you been chained to a radiator for years? should we call social services? GoFundMe page for donations?
I’d imagine lugging a small genny with you to power them is much less convenient for a social(y distanced) cup whilst walking round town though no?
Mate, you're not using electricity are you? What you need is a wood fired coffee machine and don't forget your £100 axe for chopping the wood.
I like the burnt (aka dark roast) beans with full fat milk. It's fantastic. Costa or Nero coffee won't cut through well.
Some next level lols on this thread.
you O.K hun?
Have you been chained to a radiator for years? should we call social services? GoFundMe page for donations?
Like I said, beats the 505/50 coinflip disappointment of independent shops after hours of driving looking forward to something (that and they're usually somewhere with parking).
A bit like Mike Hall only eating McDonalds, it's nicer to think about something you want sometimes and not be disappointed.
That said, McDonalds coffee is to be avoided at all costs.
It's like knowing how to brew your own perfect beer.
But still being happy to drink Hobgoblin or Newcastle Brown despite the recipe changes.
That said, McDonalds coffee is to be avoided at all costs.
I prefer McDonald's to Starbucks. Best chain is Nero's, then Costa. But I'm lucky, we've got quite a few independents around here, some of whom are pretty good.
Your hedge.
Get.
It.
Cut.
I prefer McDonald’s to Starbucks. Best chain is Nero’s, then Costa. But I’m lucky, we’ve got quite a few independents around here, some of whom are pretty good.
Pret filter is my chain-store coffee of choice. And it's always only 50p if you bring your own mug 🙂 .
I prefer Starbucks to Costa. Costa seems to have a mellower house blend (which is fine for an Americano) and seems to put MUCH emphasis on cakes, syrups, milks, etc. Starbucks house blend has a bit more punch and goes better as a flat white or a lesser extent a latte. Starbucks also have better food.
Now I've always felt Starbucks was the mellower one but a friend suggested they may have tweaked it?
Gregg's or McDonald's breakfast deals are hard to beat, but a Costa breakfast wrap is a thing of beauty with a hangover.
Currently stuck at home but enjoying a cup of La Nina de Guatamala from 200° done in the aeropress ☕
I’d imagine lugging a small genny with you to power them is much less convenient for a social(y distanced) cup whilst walking round town though no?
Mate, you’re not using electricity are you? What you need is a wood fired coffee machine and don’t forget your £100 axe for chopping the wood.
Pfft you're both doing it wrong.
/end of hipster one-upping
(and why drink it walking through town when you can drink it in a FOREST wearing a check shirt)
(and why drink it walking through town when you can drink it in a FOREST wearing a check shirt)
Because I can't do catalogue poses without spilling my espresso.
Great - more Costacrap to pick up from ****s who can't use a litter bin
hypothetically, obvz - will that bripe thing double up for doing crack ?
I dunno, I thought that pipe was a spoof because it looks so much like a crack pipe. Seriously people.
Kudos to @thenorthwind for finding something so utterly ****y though. What else is in your ad stream? Got any more gems?
hypothetically, obvz – will that bripe thing double up for doing crack ?
Only if it's single origin artisanal crack.
I really thought that pipe thing was a joke at first but they look serious.
Wonder if the out of stock is ever actually in stock?
Who is going to sit there with a mini blow torch on it for "1-3 minutes"?
The ultimate hipster bollocks to a problem that doesn't exist?
Who is going to sit there with a mini blow torch on it for “1-3 minutes”?
And without burning half the grounds in there as they're in contact with the copper that your blowtorching ffs. Oh but there's a thermometer so that'll help.
Macca’s coffee is actually pretty decent in Australia- they are genuinely trying to compete with the independents, which is welcome at service stations.
Starbucks has died on its arse here - we have a few in central Sydney: 3 or something, that seem to serve exclusively tourists.
We have “Gloria Jean’s” which seems to be a Costa clone, but this is widely derided and treated as the absolute last resort.
Last visit home to the uk I had a coffee in costa - it was as absolutely undrinkable - tasted like dirt mixed with cigarette ash. I did have a coffee from one of their machines in a corner shop - and that was ok actually. Hilarious that their barista managed to make something significantly worse than a bean-to-cup.
batfink, yeah but as you have easy access to a decent flat white pretty much anywhere at home, it's easy to have high standard. Us stuck in the UK have to really look hard for a decent flat white.
Us stuck in the UK have to really look hard for a decent flat white.
I don't think that's true in any major town or city these days is it? Though admittedly I have found some well regarded independents a bit underwhelming, I could defo get a decent flat white in Glasgow without too much trouble.
Sounds like coffee here is cheaper too - a large flat white to take away (really just a latte) is $4 aud, which is about 2.30 gbp. Sorry.
a large flat white to take away (really just a latte) .
I believe the distinction between the two is how middle class you are isn't it?
Hahaha - some truth to that. It’s the opposite here: If you ordered a latte instead of a flat white (large, take away), people would think you were a bit try-hard.
An Americano is a “long black”. Do you guys have piccolos?
@molgrips a riding mate who knows I'm a coffee snob sent me it. I thought it was a joke too. We've been trying to goad each other into buying one for a laugh.
I think they had a run on stock after coffee nerd in chief James Hoffman featured it on his YouTube channel. Inverse coffee snobs, prepare to be triggered:
Do you guys have piccolos?
Personal question isn't it? It's all the vibration from the cycling obviously.
Personal question isn’t it? It’s all the vibration from the cycling obviously.
Very much the opposite of a long black..... a short white, if you will
We have “Gloria Jean’s”
It's a US chain, pretty rubbish IME.
Costa is ok ish for me. Americanos are plain, cappucinos are flavourless and lattes are awful; so if I'm there I have a cortado which I find quite pleasant or a flat white.
Food's crap though. Starbucks sandwiches are among the best pre-packaged ones and they have nice 'boxes' of food that are a bit like a hot salad I suppose - good low-carb option.
Sounds like coffee here is cheaper too
At least something is cheaper. Beer is absurdly-priced as are supermarket shops – I struggled to find anything that was comparably priced when I was there in 2018.
a large flat white to take away (really just a latte
No it is not, they are different drinks - there is a significantly lower milk / espresso ratio in a flat white and the milk is microfoamed, not just steamed with a frothy top.
a large flat white to take away (really just a latte
neither are a prioper cup of coffeee - vaguely flavoured bucket of milk
I will never go into either Starbucks or costa. Unethical companies
neither are a prioper cup of coffeee – vaguely flavoured bucket of milk
With the greatest respect tj you don't know what you are talking about.
A flatwhite is pretty bloody small and very coffee flavoured bucket of milk.
Its not a nice strong black coffee or espresso but sometimes its just the ticket.
neither are a prioper cup of coffeee – vaguely flavoured bucket of milk
He's right you don't know what you are talking about.
Lattes vary, you can have them strong or weak, and they come in different sizes from pint glass to normal mug. Flat whites are always small as in normal mug sized, and definitely not vaguely flavoured.
As for the ethics - hating big companies is very fashionable so people like to do it regardless of what actually goes on. So crack on, you follower of fashion 🙂
Lots of milk in your "coffee" does not lead to a proper cup but some vaguely coffee flavoured milk
Starbucks is worse than costa but both are aggressive tax avoiders. I've been doing this stuff since before it was fashionable.
No it is not, they are different drinks – there is a significantly lower milk / espresso ratio in a flat white and the milk is microfoamed, not just steamed with a frothy top.
that’s true if you order it in a dine-in cup (which are smaller).
However, if you order a large flat white to take away, you get a triple-shot (22g in, 44-50g out) in a 12oz cup..... which is exactly what you get if you order a large latte. The milk is the same.
You’re right, of course, they are not the same drinks in theory - but in practice, they are for takeaway. At least here.
Lots of milk in your “coffee” does not lead to a proper cup but some vaguely coffee flavoured milk
A few points:
1. You can order any amount of milk you like.
2. There is no such thing as 'proper' that's just a term invented by snobs.
3. If I like coffee flavoured milk why shouldn't I drink it? Because you say so?
both are aggressive tax avoiders. I’ve been doing this stuff since before it was fashionable.
It's always been fashionable amongst certain groups. But I'd like to point out that corporation tax is explicitly designed to be avoidable by reinvesting profits, because governments want reinvestment. A lot of people seem to miss this point.
If I like coffee flavoured milk why shouldn’t I drink it? Because you say so?
If course uou can. Its just not a cup of coffee
Starbucks and Costa do not reinvest. they export profits. this is the bit you don't get. they are highly unethical
Its just not a cup of coffee
Are you the beverage nomenclature police now? (Rhetorical question - you're not)
Starbucks and Costa do not reinvest. they export profits. this is the bit you don’t get.
I'm aware of the 'brand licensing' loopholes that such companies use, but saying Starbucks and Costa aren't reinvesting is a bit daft when the damn things are popping up all over the place. There's clearly some investment happening isn't there? Many are franchises, but many aren't, and they clearly are spending money somewhere. The global revenue is something like $15bn a year and their top boss/founder is worth about $5bn so it's not all going into his pockets is it?
You hate big companies, so you like to read the click-bait published by edgy alternative news stories, and you don't seem to have a particularly critical eye when you do it. I'm not in favour of exploitation but I'm quite keen on learning what really goes on rather than what I want to think goes on.
Article here from 2019 that says the UK business paid £27.4m royalty payments presumably in 2018. Not exactly large scale tax evasion, at least not via that means. It says they relocated their EMEA HQ to London, which I don't think is the most tax efficient place to locate is it?
I knew this thread would bring out the idiots 🤣
Never knew 50p coffees would upset some people.
I enjoyed my cheap milky coffee but will going back to Nero as I prefer the taste, however the cakes are rubbish at Nero
1. You can order any amount of milk you like.
As long as it's 'no' milk. Only expresso is allowed.
2. There is no such thing as ‘proper’ that’s just a term invented by snobs.
See 1.
3. If I like coffee flavoured milk why shouldn’t I drink it? Because you say so?
Because banana yazoo exists.
I enjoyed my cheap milky coffee
IT'S NOT COFFEE!!!
I hate to be the one to say it, but you've not lived until you've experienced the sugar rush from a Costa/Starbucks caramel latte, coupled with a piece of millionaire's shortbread.
Especially good after smashing out a lap of Follow the Dog, on an e-bike.
e-bike? That's not a Proper Bike.
e-bike? That’s not a Proper Bike.
Up here in Yorkshire it's any bike riden at speed or on a pavement.
It's difficult to distinguish from e-by-eck mind which admittedly is not a bike.
If I like coffee flavoured milk why shouldn’t I drink it? Because you say so?
If course uou can. Its just not a cup of coffee
Got to ask, so is a cup of tea (PG or Yorkshire for example) with milk in it not actually a cup of tea?
The quantity of milk isn't really relevant, what determines if its a cup of tea or not is the biscuits you dunk in it.
Gooc point.
Ameretti please.
See, that's not a cup of tea.
What's actually quite difficult to improve on is a double-blended caramel coffee frappucino. I've not been able to crush ice the same way at home, but I've got fairly close to the taste by pouring espresso over vanilla ice cream.
Chain coffee shops aside, you should try this as a dessert - it's really delicious.
Apparently I do. It's delish all the same. Probably even better with a bit of liquor in it.
It's also absolutely proper coffee, full of milk and sugar and can be indulged in with amerreti biscuits without stopping being a coffee.
(It's very nice with a drizzle of kirsch)
Got to ask, so is a cup of tea (PG or Yorkshire for example) with milk in it not actually a cup of tea?
Like a coffee its fine with a dash of milk. Normal even. it would no longer be a cup of tea if it was 3/4 milk or more. then it would be vaguely tea flavoured milk. Like a "latte" is vaguely coffee flavoured milk
🙂
You know how authentic Indian people drink their authentic Indian tea?
Ohhhh look, over there, a thread about mandatory helmet wearing!