I still can’t believe it when I read this article from LA Times.

McDonald’s beats Starbucks in coffee smackdown
By David Colker, Times Staff Writer
11:37 AM PST, February 2, 2007

In the ultimate coffee smackdown, it was yuppie Starbucks vs. Ronald McDonald.

And the clown won.

Consumer Reports magazine said today that in a test conducted at two locations of each emporium, its tasters found McDonald’s coffee to be “decent and moderately strong” with “no flaws.” On the other hand, the Starbucks brew “was strong, but burnt and bitter enough to make your eyes water instead of open.”

The March issue of the magazine, due out Monday, thus advises, “Try McDonald’s, which was cheapest and best.”

Actually, not all that much cheaper. McDonald’s now charges $1.35 for what the magazine considers a “medium” sized cup of Joe. Starbucks gets $1.55 for about the same size cup. But of course, McDonald’s has yet to offer half-cap lattes and it’s hard to imagine Ronald in basic barista black.

Other fast-food coffees in the test included those from Burger King (“tasted more like hot water”) and Dunkin’ Donuts (“inoffensive”).

No matter how much McDonald’s revels in its win of the taste test, the company might be hard-pressed to use it in promotions. Consumer Reports, which takes no advertising, strictly prohibits companies from using its findings in ads.

The clown actually won Starbucks? How could that be possible?

OK, I’m not a big fan of Starbucks. I still prefer Coffee Bean anytime. The only reason why I go Starbucks is for the wireless@sg. I only order Cafe Mocha at Starbucks. Nothing else. The other drinks are too sweet for my liking.

But at least I still can find a drink that I like at Starbucks. Until now, I still can’t find a drink that I like at McCafe. Nothing. All the drinks there are too sweet or doesn’t taste good. And the stupid cup is hard to hold and drink with. The cup surface area is wide and thus the drink gets cold fast.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I walk over to McDonalds to order a soft drink instead of getting a coffee at McCafe. And I am a coffee lover in case you don’t know.

OK, maybe they are referring to the McCafe in USA or LA. I can be quite sure McCafe can’t win in Singapore. The standard just isn’t there yet.

I miss the coffee at Coffee Bean…..

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