80	Starbucks Coffee (Costco) Seattle, Washington Veranda Blend Blonde Roast: Medium Review Date: November 2012 Origin: Not disclosed. Price: $14.80/40 ounces

Blind Assessment: Sweet-toned, clean, neutral. Grainy sweetness, faint nut and chocolate hints in aroma and cup. Delicately brisk, muted acidity. Fullish though rather inert mouthfeel. Some chocolaty sweetness persists in a clean though rather empty finish.

Notes: Purchased in whole bean format at Costco in San Leandro, California for an equivalent of $5.99 per pound. With this, one of four “Blonde” or medium-roasted blends, Starbucks breaks with its long commitment to dark-roasting. This blend, described as “Mellow & Soft,” is apparently aimed at those who prefer a brisker, more delicate cup than presented by any of Starbucks’ usual offerings. Visit www.starbucks.com or call 800-782-7282 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: Those looking for Starbucks’ version of “mellow and soft” (very) at an attractive price.

Coffee, more so than wine, is a continually changing product. Recent reviews, whether written by Coffee Review or readers, are most likely to reflect current versions of a given coffee.