Article

A look at Starbucks' global offerings

Starbucks around the world offer specialty menu items that incorporate local flavors to honor cultures.

April 4, 2014

There's no debate about whether the glass is half empty or half full at Starbucks stores in Japan, where stores sell mugs, designed to always look full, even when they're empty.

Nendo, a Japanese design studio, created a series of coffee mugs with images of an Americano, Caramel Macchiato or Latte on the bottom, outside the cup. Turn the empty mug over and it looks like it's filled to the brim with a Starbucks beverage. The mug collection, now sold at Japan Starbucks stores, is a visual reminder to be optimistic, according to a Starbucks press release.

The mugs are just one way Starbucks works with its global and local networks to pay respect to the variety of cultures it serves. Below are a few more Starbucks options unique to the countries in which they are sold.

Mexico's Muffin Palomitas

Starbucks in Mexico serve guests the Muffin Palomita, a muffin filled with caramel and topped with popcorn. The recipe came from college students, when more than 100 from the Centre for Advanced Studies of San Angel participated in a challenge to create a product for distribution. The price of ingredients, cost of manufacturing and creativity were all factors for the judges. Students, between the ages of 19 and 20, submitted 40 recipes in the bakery category. From the eight finalists, a team of food developers from Starbucks Coffee Mexico picked the Popcorn Muffin as the winner. It's now sold in select stores.

Mexico's Muffin Palomitas

O Canada!

Canadian Starbucks fans can order the Maple Macchiato, which pays tribute to the country that produces 80 percent of the world's maple syrup, according to the release. The handcrafted Maple Macchiato consists of layers of vanilla, steamed milk, an espresso shot, and Maple topping made with real Canadian Maple Syrup found from the Beauce-Appalache region of Quebec.

Chinese Cherries

Available only in China is the Cherry Shortbread White Chocolate Mocha. It combines white chocolate mocha sauce and cherry-flavored syrup over steamed milk with espresso. It's topped off with whipped cream and swirls of cherry sauce and garnished with shortbread crumbles.

UK's Hot Cross Buns

UK customers are used to Starbucks' version of hot cross buns, made with sultanas, citrus peel, mixed spices and cinnamon. The bun is glazed and finished with a cross and called "Luxury Hot Cross Toast."

Cover photo: Japanese design studio Nendo created a series of coffee mugs with images of an Americano, Caramel Macchiato or Latte on the bottom, outside the cup. Turn the empty mug over, and it looks like it’s filled full with a Starbucks beverage.