STARSTRUCKS

Shahnaz Husain - the skincare haircare herbal products entrepreneur - is starting STARSTRUCKS. Now we know what STARBUCKS is. So it should't be difficult to guess what STARSTRUCKS is. Yes yes ... you guessed it right. Coffeeshops! coffeeshop chain with a Hollywood ambiance. And the logo ....

do I read starbucks?

caffeine

Caffeine is a drug that acts as a stimulant to the heart and central nervous system, and is also known to increase blood pressure in the short term, although there is no conclusive evidence of long-term effects on blood pressure.
The effects on blood pressure are most likely when caffeine is taken in excessive quantities or by highly sensitive people. In particular, people who are hypertensive (have habitual high blood pressure), are advised to avoid caffeinated drinks, while pregnant women are advised to limit their intake of caffeinated drinks to less than 300mg per day.

Food --------------------------------------- Caffeine content
Instant Coffee (mg/cup) -------------------------- 61 to 70
Percolated ground Coffee (mg/cup) ----------- 97 to 125
Tea (mg/cup) -------------------------------------15 to 75
Cocoa (mg/cup) -----------------------------------10 to 17
Chocolate bar ------------------------------------60 to 70
Cola drinks (mg/12oz can) ----------------------43 to 65

Got this information from bbc website so must be correct. Gives an idea of how much caffeine is being consumed with every cup.

Starbucks

Was in Florida last week. One of the things in my mind was to find a starbucks. It had been a while ... not that I was a big fan of Starbucks, but since starting this blog I had not had Starbucks. And well I found one Starbucks in "Hollywood City Walk". And guess what I had - Ice Chai Latte. This has been my favourite for a while. You know what was good about it - ice. It was cold yet the ice was not crushed and no icecream was added. Here in Delhi as soon as I say cold - coffee, icecream and ice are all put together in a mixer and what I get is a really thick liquid. I have tried to explain that I want coffee on the rocks but I have failed time and again.

Before I left I had managed to have like 5 starbucks. Earlier when I was working in San Jose, paying $3-$4 for a coffee seemed not so bad. But now after being unemployed for almost 6 months the $3 hurt - it was not $3 anymore - it was Rs. 150! And I thought the Rs . 30-Rs. 70 was bad. I would like to talk to someone working in Delhi as a fresher out of college and see how often is the coffee shop in the agenda. Do they usually have a Barista breakfast or is it just a once in a while "date" location.

Any comments?

Did you know?

I came across a few coffee facts - surprizing coffee facts.

1. It takes 42 coffee beans to make an espresso.

I wonder how many coffee beans for a latte or a cappuccino. I kind of believe that in India cappucino is preferred more than strong espresso.

2. Coffee is the most popular drink worldwide with around two billion cups consumed every day.

I guess this fact does not count water as a drink.

3. Coffee grows in more than 50 countries and is the second largest export in the world after oil (in dollar value).

most traded after oil - this definitely was news to me.

Decaffeinated Coffee

According to legislation within the EU markets decaffeinated coffee is a coffee with a caffeine content reduced to 0.1% or less in roasted coffee beans, and to 0.3% or less in soluble/instant coffee.
Decaffeinated coffee is available as a choice for those consumers who wish to enjoy the taste and aroma of coffee without experiencing the mild stimulant effects provided by the caffeine.

Is decaffeinated coffee available in India? I have yet to come across decaf in Delhi.

Coffee with what?

I have found a new way of classifying coffee shops/ tea houses - one that serve snacks and one that serve full meal. Barista and Costa coffee are more like the snacks kind. There are others like CCD lounge that have a heavier food menu like pasta and burger.

Personally, I think coffee or tea goes better with snacks. A cappuccino with a muffin or a latte with a croissant sounds a lot better and appetizing, I would say. Light sandwich is also ok.
I can do a coffee after meal, but its more like a light coffee.

But it all depends on what is accompaning what? Coffee is the sidie for food or coffee is the main!