Guest Post: What’s All The Buzz About?

Self Magazine calls coffee “the ultimate superdrink,” and here’s why:

• Lifelong coffee fans may be less likely to develop Parkson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
• Caffeinated coffee has antibacterial and antiadhesive properties that can keep bacteria from eating away at your teeth’s enamel.
• The antioxidants in coffee may limit cancer cell growth and DNA damage.
• Premenopausal women who drink 4 regular cups of coffee per day experience a 38% drop in breast cancer risk.
• 2 cups of coffee per day may reduce gallstones, thanks to the xanthine that reduces mucus and cholesterol crystal deposits.
• Your risk for nonmelanoma skin cancer may be reduced by up to 17% by consuming 2-5 cups per day.
• Chlorogenic acid in coffee may help prevent insulin resistance, so up to 30% of coffee drinkers (regular or decaf) reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Fun fact: Did you know that a cup of regular coffee has more caffeine than espresso? It’s true! Next time you’re in overload studying for finals and writing papers, skip the latte and grab a regular coffee topped off with skim or soy milk.

Now, we all know that supporting a coffee habit can get pretty expensive . . . especially if you’re going to Starbucks! But, I want to take a minute to explain just why Starbucks coffee is so darn expensive!

When I worked at Starbucks, we had people complain all the time about the cost. As a student, I totally understand. Knowing the reasons for the costs, however, make me happy that Starbucks has priced their products they way they have.

• Starbucks has made a commitment to coffee farmers. Coffee farmers do not make a lot of money are quite disadvantaged, and life is very difficult for them. Starbucks pays these farmers higher prices for coffee than other companies to help better their living situations.
• Starbucks also helps to build schools and health clinics in coffee farmers’ communities, and provides education to farmers on sustainable growing methods.
• While most Starbucks coffees are not labeled as organic or fair trade, the rigorous standards imposed by the company basically ensures that they are. Certification, however, costs thousands of dollars, which most small-scale coffee farmers do not have to spare, so their beans are not labeled as such.
• Starbucks supports the environment, by seeking out and rewarding farmers for their sustainable growing practices.
• Starbucks takes care of its employees. Howard Schultz (CEO) grew up without health insurance, and wanted to make sure that all employees at Starbucks had an affordable option. For about $30 a month, I had health, dental, and vision — and the services were amazing. My copayments were always low and I had a variety of practitioners I could choose from. I was shocked to learn when I started working at the hospital that my insurance would almost triple, and I’d have a higher copay — and that’s if I opted out of vision and dental! Everyone deserves good health insurance, and the cost should not drive you into the ground!

In my opinion, factoring all those costs in make me ok with the cost of an occasional Starbucks treat. And yes, fancy frappuccinos are expensive, but my iced coffee with soy milk costs only $2 a pop. Tea also goes for $2 (hot or iced). And, here’s a tip for you to cut down on some costs: get a Starbucks card and register it online! Whenever you use it to pay for your drink, you get FREE soy milk and FREE syrups (usually about 40 cents each). Bring your own cup in and you get a 10 cent discount (plus you’re helping the environment!).

I hope you all have enjoyed learning about the health benefits of coffee and the reasons behind Starbucks’ prices! Many thanks to Tina for giving me this opportunity to share with you!