What is the role of Starbucks' coffee quality assessment team?

The coffee quality assessment team at Starbucks plays a crucial role in evaluating and ensuring that the coffees sourced meet specific quality standards and possess desirable flavor profiles. Their responsibilities include tasting and analyzing different coffee beans to assess their characteristics, consistency, and overall quality. By conducting these evaluations, the team helps maintain the high standards of Starbucks beverages, ensuring that customers receive a product that not only meets but often exceeds their expectations in terms of flavor and quality.

This focus on quality assessment is a key element in Starbucks' commitment to sourcing ethically and providing premium coffee, as it directly impacts the final product served to customers. The team's work also supports relationships with coffee farmers by ensuring that only the highest-quality beans are selected, which can positively influence pricing and promote sustainable farming practices.

While developing new coffee products, managing customer feedback, and overseeing coffee roasting are essential functions within Starbucks, these tasks fall outside the primary role of the coffee quality assessment team. Their specific focus is centered on the tasting and evaluation process that guarantees the excellence of the coffee being offered.