Starbucks Veranda Blend Coffee Review
How’s it going? Hope the coffee is flowing! This Starbucks Veranda Blend Coffee Review takes a close look at one of Starbucks’ lightest roasts to see how it actually performs across different brewing methods. From French press to pour-over, I break down the aroma, body, and flavor. I also look at whether this widely available coffee gives you a smooth, easy-drinking cup or ends up with the same over-roasted taste many Starbucks blends are known for. If you’re considering picking up Veranda Blend, this review will help you know exactly what to expect before you brew your first cup.
The Roaster
Starbucks started with a single store in Seattle in 1971, and like many small coffee shops at the time, its mission was simple: to offer high-quality coffee and brewing equipment to the local community.
After acquiring Peet’s Coffee in the mid-1980s (yes, the same Peet’s Coffee you’re thinking of), Starbucks began expanding rapidly. This growth included the acquisition of several other coffee brands and the launch of thousands of new stores worldwide. Eventually landing them where they are today, the largest coffee chain in the world.
Why Do I Have Starbucks Coffee Around the House?
I am not a Starbucks fan, but due to an abundance of gift cards I have been making an effort to review more of their whole bean coffee. One of my biggest issues with Starbucks is their coffee tends to be over-roasted. This is what drew me to Veranda Blend, after finding their medium roasts like Yukon Blend (read my review here), to be closer to dark roast I wanted to see how a light roast would fair.
If Starbucks is my only, or best option, when I am out and need a coffee I usually lean towards Veranda Blend if it’s available brewed. I find it to be the most tolerable of their coffees. So let’s see how it performs when brewed fresh at home.
When rating coffee, I follow the same brewing method each time. You can read more about my preparation process here.
Starbucks Veranda Blend Coffee Review:
Characteristics and Flavor Profile
Grinding Veranda Blend brought forth a subtle fragrance that was roasty with a faint cereal grain-like sweetness.
| Veranda Blend | French Press | Pour-Over |
| Aroma | Malty sweetness with a slight touch of vanilla | Chocolatey, slightly sweet cocoa notes |
| Body | Medium, decent weight and mouthfeel | Medium-light body, subtle mouthfeel |
| Start | Coffee forward with strong roasty notes | Noticeable and unpleasantly sharp bitterness |
| Middle | Mild malty sweetness | Chocoatey with a good balance of sweetness and cocoa |
| Finish | Semi-sweet cereal grain with a mildly unpleasant aftertaste | Slightly sweeter chocolate still balanced by cocoa |
Overall Thoughts
Overall, this was a smooth but unremarkable cup of coffee in the French Press. The flavors were strong, but the flavor profile was simple with a focus on roasty notes. The pour-over produced a noticeably more bitter cup. While it did bring out slightly more defined chocolate notes, the bitterness in the beginning overwhelmed the experience.
- French Press: Smooth but lacking complexity. Coffee forward and roasty with a very mild unpleasant aftertaste.
- Pour-over: Strong bitterness in the start. Decent chocolatey notes afterward but they do not make up for the terrible bitterness.
- Preferred brew method: French Press
Veranda Blend is slightly more drinkable in the French Press. It was smoother and less bitter than the pour-over, though the tasting notes were fairly basic. This is an okay coffee for a casual drinker when brewed in the French Press. That said, given the price there are better options with a similar flavor profile, such as Third Horse Coffee’s Assateague (read my review here). If you are looking for a true light roast experience, One Village Villager is hard to beat.
Where to Purchase
At a price point of $13.95 per-pound in store, Veranda Blend is fairly priced. You can get cleaner and higher quality coffee from local or smaller roasters for just a slightly higher price.
If you live near an Aldi, Simply Nature Single Origin Peruvian and Honduran coffees are much better in terms of quality and value.
You can find Veranda Blend in most Starbucks shops. It is also available on Amazon (often at a higher price). It is also available in some grocery stores, you can use the Starbucks website to find it near you.
Conclusion – Starbucks Veranda Blend Coffee Review
Veranda Blend was a very disappointing coffee, though not entirely surprising given Starbucks’ roasting style. The pour-over experience closely matched what I’ve had in-store, noticeably bitter and slightly chocolatey. My French Press cup was slightly better, as it was smoother, but the flavor profile was simple.
The coffee also appeared to be roasted closer to a medium roast than the light roast the bag claimed.
Starbucks Veranda Blend Scorecard
| Feature | Details |
| Roast | Light |
| Flavor Notes | Coffee forward, slightly sweet, chocolate |
| Best Brew Method | French Press |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 |
| Worth Buying? | No, French Press had an unpleasant aftertaste and the pour-over was very bitter |
| Buy Now | Amazon |
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