Coffee shops are spewing all around the Philippines like mushrooms. This is mostly due to the ever growing fondness of coffee by the locals most probably influenced by Western countries particularly the U.S. Nowadays, big coffee shop franchises are marching on a small but loyal market that has made coffee drinking a lifestyle, and are not stopping since.
Here in this blog we would like to tackle the distinct tastes of the biggest coffee shop franchises in the metro right now. They will be analyzed through the same coffee concoction, which is the cafe mocha. The analysis will be based on the typical concoction serving, where there is no special alteration conducted.
- Starbucks – Starbucks originate from the United States and is one of the most, if not probably the most successful coffee shop franchises in the world. Its success is also present in the Philippines, and each branch will always be jam-packed during peak hours. In terms of its Cafe Mocha taste, its sweetness is on the high side, while the mocha flavor is evident enough to be distinguished. One espresso shot of it is enough to keep you awake but won’t keep you that way for the whole day. But nevertheless, it has its own taste that almost every coffee lover craves for and keeps on coming back.
- Seattle’s best coffee – another coffee shop franchise that originate from the U.S., Seattle’s best coffee actually came in first to the country ahead of Starbucks, but couldn’t quite create a larger stir but still has the staying power up until now. Its Cafe Mocha is also on the high side of sweetness while its mocha taste is very distinct. The single espresso shot does give the over-all flavor without overpowering the mocha, in which is the main aim of this concoction.
- Figaro – Figaro is a homegrown coffee shop franchise. Long before the influx of foreign coffee shop franchises, Figaro has been doing it locally. It has quite a respectable success and has staying power and establishment since 1993. Its cafe mocha has a respectable sweetness and is on just the right amount. The mocha flavor is somewhat indistinct to almost becoming disappointing but what makes it better is the richness of the espresso single shot.
- Bo’s Coffee – Another local pioneer and coffee shop franchising, Bo’s Coffee started in Cebu, in the south side of the Philippines. If Figaro owned the North, Bo’s Coffee dominated the South. Its Cafe Mocha has the right amount of sweetness and has a very mocha taste, which is essentially right for the concoction. The espresso shot is not that strong but should keep you awake for a respectable amount of time.
- Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf – Another coffee shop franchise that originated from the U.S., its southern California origins has influenced the coffee drinking experience inside their shops. Its Cafe Mocha has a the right amount of sweetness and its Mocha has a little bit buttery taste, which is probably deliberate to make it more distinct. What makes it stand out is the strong espresso as it provides a certain kick that keeps you coming back.
- Costa Coffee – A relatively new coffee shop franchise player in the country, Costa originated from the U.K., and is the largest coffee shop company there. Its Cafe Mocha has the right amount of sweetness as well as the distinct Mocha flavor. A little drawback is the the effect of the single espresso shot but could still be respectable enough.
There is no actually the same Cafe Mocha concoction. Each shop has its own setting and style, and it is up for us coffee lovers to choose whatever fits our fancy!
