Some Starbucks Devotees Spurn Pike Place Blend

OoooooK. A backlash has apparently bubbled forth against Starbucks' new Pike Place Roast, a smoother blend that the coffee giant unveiled in April. The Wall Street Journal this morning reports that regular Starbucks addicts are the ones none too pleased with the blend and they're taking to the blogs!

Much of that debate is taking place on the company's customer-feedback Web site, which the chain launched in March. The site is littered with thumbs-down verdicts on the new roast. ...

A customer with the handle Westend complained in a posting on the site that the flavor of Pike Place Roast is "weak, watery and no substitute for the bold." Another, ArtM, called the coffee "a fundamental, grievous error." Beccajav derided its finish as "reminiscent of a taste from the dentist's office."