Starbucks Introduces New Fresh Brew Drip Coffee! Has Starbucks Removed Their Cheapest Coffee Option?

Starbucks' Hidden Affordable Coffee Option

After reading the title, many of you might have the same question: "Does Starbucks really have cheap coffee?" Yes! Have you noticed the large drip coffee machine on the counter when buying coffee at Starbucks? The fresh drip coffee made by this machine (also known as "Coffee of the Week") can be purchased for just 20 yuan, with the largest size costing only 26 yuan—cheaper than a grande Americano!

The Forgotten Fresh Drip Coffee

However, this coffee only appears on the paper menu. Fresh drip coffee rarely appears on the menu board above the counter, and gradually, the drip coffee machines no longer display signs telling customers which coffee beans are available for drip coffee this week. As a result, many people have gradually forgotten that Starbucks even offers fresh drip coffee.

Revival with New Fresh Brew Drip Coffee

What a pity that fresh drip coffee has been forgotten by everyone! To remind customers that they still sell fresh drip coffee and to attract renewed attention to this option, Starbucks officially launched a completely new Fresh Brew Drip Coffee on December 7th.

The New Semi-Automatic Brewing System

The newly introduced drip coffee is made using a semi-automatic drip coffee machine independently developed by Starbucks China, brewing one cup at a time. Compared to the previous fully automatic drip coffee machines that required large-volume extraction, the semi-automatic machine's one-cup-at-a-time approach reduces coffee waste and better maintains consistent quality for each cup of drip coffee.

Additionally, multiple size options are no longer available—only a small size is offered, priced lower than Starbucks' pour-over coffee. For just 28 yuan, you can enjoy a "semi-pour-over coffee" with more stable quality than pour-over coffee, while also eliminating the hassle of deciding between tall, grande, or venti sizes.

How the New Brewing System Works

The newly developed drip machine adopts a semi-automatic format, consisting of two parts: a clever dripper and a timing support device. The barista only needs to place filter paper and ground coffee in the dripper, then perform the first water pour for blooming and the second pour for steeping, cover with a lid, set the coffee extraction time, and can confidently move on to making the next beverage. The stand displays the extraction progress in real-time, and when extraction is complete, it automatically opens the clever dripper valve. After all coffee liquid drips into the cloud pot on the base, the barista can serve it in a cup.

Mixed Reactions from Coffee Lovers

Experience the joy of pour-over coffee for the price of an Americano! On the first day of its official launch, it immediately attracted a wave of fans to try it out. However, loyal fans of "Coffee of the Week" expressed their concerns: "This isn't right! You can launch a new product, but why did you cancel my favorite Coffee of the Week!"

Many people commented: "Is this why you cancelled fresh drip coffee at various locations? Even before this product was launched, many stores had already stopped selling Coffee of the Week, or they were unwilling to make it even when ordered because they didn't want to clean the machine! Now you've upgraded the clever dripper into a high-tech machine, turning the 20-yuan fresh drip into 28-yuan Fresh Brew coffee... You've completely destroyed my joy of drinking Starbucks."

Credits and Further Information

Image source: Internet, Weibo

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