Starbucks Iced Coffee

Starbucks Grande Iced Americano, Picture by Chelsea Nguyen

At first glance, you see the deep brown overtaking the majority of the object, so much so, it almost resembles black. Projecting from the top of the object is a forest green-colored narrow cylinder that enters the body of the object through a small opening found at the top of the object. The opening found at the top of the item is used to retrieve a dark liquid. Peering through this hole, we notice that it is not the outer layer of the object that colors the object a deep brown, but the content that fills the item is what darkens the object. The body of the object itself is structured in a cylindrical shape that is sized to comfortably fit into a person’s hands. Upon holding the object, the main material of the item is somewhat malleable, a characteristic of plastic. A cylindrical object, filled with a liquid and malleable to touch ultimately resembles a plastic cup. Labeled at the center of this cup is a graphic image that resembles a therianthrope wearing a crown. Within this image are detailed stripes that combine to portray an image of hair and tails. This uniquely designed creature can famously be recognized as the Starbucks logo. Additionally, printed onto the cup are squares that are lined up vertically along with the cup. Each square is accompanied by a label that refers to the variations of coffee. It writes, “decaf”, “shots”, “syrup”, “milk”, “custom”, and “drink”. As time passes by beads of water surround the cup. As more and more moisture accumulates on the cup, droplets of water fall from the object onto the tabletop, upon which the object lays.

When you open the lid to the plastic cup, you encounter a liquid that gives off an addictive aroma that can be described as nutty, rich, and woody (although these scents can vary per person). Using the forest green appendage that projects out from the plastic cup, one can consume the drink and be hit with a refreshing bitterness of an iced americano. Notes of chocolate paired with roasted flavors combine harmoniously to create an addictive drink that brightens up one’s palette. The complexity of this drink drives my curiosity to discover more about coffee: the methods by which it was made, the different variations of coffee, and the culture of coffee in different geographical areas.

For me and a large population of the globe, coffee plays an important role in starting the day. For some, the beverage is essential in order to have a productive day. Waking up around 8 am on a chilly morning, I walk to the nearest Starbucks and order a hot cup of coffee. The fragrance of the coffee beans immediately livens up your mood as you take your first sip of the day. Coffee is not just a simple drink that adds a boost of energy to a person’s morning, coffee carries a whole culture that values relationships and communication. Coffee acts as a bridge that connects a person to another person. “Want to chat over a cup of coffee?” and “want to grab some coffee?” are phrases often said to facilitate interactions between people. It is clear that coffee is not just a simple drink, but an entity that represents bonds and relationships.