REVIEW: Peet's Coffee, holiday edition

Final Score: 86.5%

When first conceptualizing my silly little blog, hopes were high. I knew in my heart that the coffee industry was, like every other aspect of our lives, soiled by unfair labor practices, corporate greed, and “greenwashing” marketing practices. This recognition prompts many questions, chief among them the question of consumer responsibility in putting a stop to these practices and our role in keeping corporations accountable.

Now, I am just one 18-year-old girl, a small if not negligible cog in the wheels of a $30 billion dollar a year industry- and that figure is just for the American coffee industry. I drink just 3-4 of the 400 million cups of coffee Americans consume every day.

What is my role? What is yours?

In satisfying my daily (hourly) coffee craving, I try to go local- every coffee shop I’ve reviewed so far is an independent coffee store, and thus operates differently than the big chains. Now, they all source their beans from the same monopolistic bean processors, but hell, shopping local contributes to the decentralization of the coffee power and slows down the complete monopolization of the industry. While no great change can happen without direct action from the big guys at the top, consumer pressure and the “power of the purse” is perhaps the greatest tool we little guys have in changing anything, and this spans beyond the coffee bean.

Chew on that this holiday season.

All this to say, I did go to Peet’s today. Sorry.

IN MY DEFENSE they just released the holiday drinks, and I took the time out of my day to try one. Here, I diverge from my standard caramel latte to bring you a review of Peet’s as a coffee shop, but also specifically the Holiday Spice Latte. Merry… weird period between Halloween and Thanksgiving where I receive nothing but criticism for my holiday cheer.

1. Location: 4.5/5

There are (beautiful) locations on campus, but I am reviewing the one that sits near the corner of E Street and 3rd, just a mile from my dorm. Plopped on what my friend calls “dessert row,” the 3-block spread featuring Insomnia Cookies, The Creamery, Sweet and Shavery, Baskin Robbins, AND Cultive Frozen Yogurt, this Peet’s is a prime location for food-hopping.

2. Aesthetic/vibe: 9.9/10

The music: nice and soothing. Background noise: perfect assemblage of chatter, shuffling, and espresso machine noises. Staff: super friendly!! Lighting: beautiful and comforting. Tables and seating: plentiful and perfect for studying.

As far as chains go, Peet’s overall vibe far outshines Starbucks’ and I stand by that.

3. Coffee options: 7/10

I appreciate the regular Peet’s menu; the Havana Cappuccino acts as a fun twist on the classic cappuccino and their cold brew options are extensive and fun (shoutout to the horchata cold brew oat latte). The holiday options are fewer in number than, say, Starbucks, but there is still plenty to enjoy. Highlights include the classic peppermint mocha, the mint matcha latte, and our focus today: the holiday spice latte.

4. Actual coffee: 19/20

My order: medium holiday spice latte.

Site description: Holiday Spice latte mingles holiday baking spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg with hand-pulled espresso and freshly steamed milk.

Y’all. This was INCREDIBLE! I seriously could not get enough. I could somehow taste each spice, though the nutmeg and cloves were most pronounced. It was comforting and absolutely delicious. I found a new favorite here today. God bless us, everyone.

5. Price: 7.5/10

$5.70, expectedly pricier than a caramel latte, and all in all pricier than the preferred, but overall acceptable.

6. Cup: 4/5

Sturdy, cute, logo-tastic, however, the holiday cup has not yet been implemented in this score. Say goodbye to that fifth point, Peet’s.

FINAL SCORE: 51.9/60= 86.5%

Triumphing over a few local coffee shops, yet sitting under some standouts, Peet’s coffee is a solid and reliable spot for studying and getting a holiday kick. The Holiday Spice Latte is delectable and I recommend you go try it at your local Peet’s. Stay tuned, because this holiday season I am committing myself to trying and ranking all of Starbuck’s holiday drinks. Hello, upset stomach and maybe diabetes.

I bid you farewell!