Introduction
Starbucks is one of the most well-known coffee merchants on the planet. Their iconic green logo and their caffeinated beverages are familiar to people from all over the world. But how much coffee does Starbucks use to make all those drinks? This article will explore the question of how much coffee Starbucks uses, providing some relevant background information and data alongside perspectives from experts. Additionally, our insights and analysis will provide an educated look at the topic and hopefully engage the reader.
Factors Influencing Coffee Consumption
There are numerous factors which influence how much coffee Starbucks consumes on a daily basis. One of these is the number of individual stores they have. As of 2019, Starbucks had more than 30,000 stores across 77 countries worldwide. Additionally, Starbucks offer more than 87,000 different beverages each day, ranging from their classic coffees to teas and frappuccinos. All this variety means that the quantity of coffee used can quickly add up.
The type of coffee beans used is also important. Starbucks primarily use Arabica beans, which come from Latin America and Central Africa. Arabica beans have a slightly higher acidity and offer a more balanced flavor than other coffee beans. Furthermore, the frequency of visits by customers also plays an important role. As Starbucks fans, many customers visit the store up to four or five times a week.
How Much Coffee Does Starbucks Use?
So, how much coffee does Starbucks go through? According to Ricardo Melo, a former manager of a Starbucks outlet in Brazil, the store he worked at bought 500kg of coffee beans every two weeks. The beans were then ground for in-store use, with the remaining beans being sent to other stores or sold to customers. This 500kg of beans is just from one store and doesn’t account for the number of other stores Starbucks has in Brazil, let alone worldwide.
An anonymous Starbucks barista revealed that their store used to go through 25 pounds of coffee every day, while an expert from the company stated that their corporate stores can use up to 20 kilograms of espresso a week. That’s quite a lot, especially when you consider the fact that all these beans have to be sourced, grilled and packed.
The Coffee Growing Process
The steps required to obtain coffee beans before they can then be used in stores is time-consuming. Firstly, the plants must be grown in a warm, tropical climate and well-fertilized plots of land. Once harvested, the beans are then dried, roasted, graded and sorted before being packaged for either sale or in-store use. It takes around three years for coffee plants to reach maturity and the berries need to be carefully picked by hand in order to protect the fruits from damage. To make sure that their coffee is of the highest quality, Starbucks works directly with coffee farmers in many countries.
Coffee Waste Reduction
Due to the sheer amount of coffee that Starbucks consumes, the company has focussed on ways to reduce the amount of coffee waste it produces. This includes cutting down on how much coffee is used in store and sending excess coffee grounds to local gardens and farms in order to provide organic fertilizer. Starbucks have also committed to using only sustainable coffee beans by conducting regular training sessions with coffee farmers in countries like Vietnam.
Environmental Impact
With such a large scale of coffee use, it is natural to ask what the environmental impact of Starbucks is. Research conducted by the company found that coffee production accounts for 1.4 percent of global emissions. This is largely due to deforestation for land for coffee plantations, as well as the emissions from coffee processing and roasting.
The good news is that Starbucks is taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. As well as donating spent coffee grounds to local farmers, coffee pods used in cafes are now being made from compostable materials, while coffee bags are made from fully recyclable material. Starbucks have also pledged to buy more renewable energy in order reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Ethical Sourcing
Much of the coffee used by Starbucks is sourced from countries in Africa and Latin America. To ensure that the coffee beans are of high quality and ethically produced, Starbucks have put in place a number of measures to ensure this is the case. This includes only buying coffee from certified farms and paying above market prices for the beans. This helps to ensure that the farmers receive a fair wage and creates a climate where sustainable agricultural practices are encouraged.
Starbucks are also working to improve the lives of coffee farmers by providing them with education, training and financial support. They aim to create a relationship with farmers based on mutual respect and trust. Additionally, Starbucks have pledged to increase the amount of ethically sourced coffee they use from 20% to 99% by 2021.
Marketing and Advertising
In order to effectively promote the quantity of coffee they sell, Starbucks have a comprehensive marketing and advertising strategy. This strategy has been used to great effect, with Starbucks becoming one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
As well spending millions on advertising campaigns, Starbucks have also made use of their social media accounts to promote their products. For instance, the company often posts images and videos of their drinks, which have been liked and shared millions of times on multiple social media platforms. Additionally, the company recently launched its own rewards program, allowing customers to earn points when they purchase coffee.
Carbon Emission Initiatives
Starbucks has also implemented initiatives to reduce their carbon emissions. These initiatives include reducing their water usage and investing in renewable energy sources. Water usage has been dramatically reduced through the use of water-efficient espresso machines and other methods such as rainwater harvesting and reusing water from store sinks. To further reduce their environmental impact Starbucks have pledged to reduce their carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
Additionally, Starbucks has also declared their commitment to produce 100 million pounds of coffee with verified sustainable practices by 2020. This includes ensuring that their coffee is produced with the protection of water sources in mind, as well as making sure that their packaging is sourced sustainably.
Increase in Reusable Cups
To further reduce their environmental footprint Starbucks have started using reusable cups in their stores. These are designed to be more durable than traditional disposable cups, with the aim of reducing waste while still providing customers with the same quality of coffee. Furthermore, Starbucks are planning to roll out a trial of fully compostable cups over the next few years, as part of their commitment to reduce their overall waste.
Additionally, Starbucks have also introduced a ‘Cup for Life’ program across select stores. The program encourages customers to bring their own cup in order to reduce the number of disposable cups being used. Customers who take part in this scheme are rewarded with a free beverage of their choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Starbucks has an enormous impact on the global coffee market. The sheer number of stores and variety of products means that it goes through a huge amount of coffee each year. However, Starbucks are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and increase sustainability. From reducing water usage to investing in renewable energy, Starbucks are making sure that they are doing their bit to protect the environment. Additionally, they are also working hard to ensure that their coffee is ethically sourced and produced.
