Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend Review
How’s it going? Hope the coffee is flowing! Today I’m bringing you my Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend review, a coffee I picked up mostly because I have more Starbucks gift cards than I know what to do with. I brewed this organic blend using both a French press and pour-over to see how it tastes and whether the bold marketing on the bag actually matches the flavor in the 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 stopping into their stores a little more frequently than usual. During my last trip to grab some coffee with a friend I noticed the Organic Yukon Blend and I will admit the marketing on the bag got me.
It is marketed as a hearty roast for camping and outdoor activities with bold herbs and spiciness, it immediately piqued my interest as a potentially interesting blend to try. Could this be my new go to blend on the rare case I am buying a bag of coffee from Starbucks? Let’s find out!
When rating coffee I follow the same method of brewing each time. Find out about how I prepare the coffee I rate here.
Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend review:
Characteristics and Flavor Profile
Grinding the Yukon Blend released a fairly unique fragrance with creamy notes and a touch of spice. As the coffee brewed it developed a sweet and spicy, clove-like aroma. The body of the coffee is medium-light and does not have much weight or mouthfeel.
| Yukon Blend | French Press | Pour-Over |
|---|---|---|
| Aroma | Sweet and spicy clove-like aroma with creamy notes | Sweet spice with a touch of cream |
| Body | Medium-light body with limited mouthfeel | Medium body, decent weight and mouthfeel |
| Start | Muted start with a light sweetness | Overwhelmingly bitter start, a touch of spice can be tasted, but terribly bitter |
| Middle | Spicy clove notes develop with a touch of sweetness | Bitterness fades some and a subtle mildly-sweet spiciness comes through |
| Finish | Spicy notes build briefly before dropping off abruptly | The sweet spice notes remain, but the bitterness begins to overpower them |
Overall Thoughts
Overall this was an okay cup of coffee in the French Press. I enjoyed the flavor profile, but for a coffee that claims to be bold and hearty the flavors were not as noticeable as I hoped. When brewed with my pour-over it was downright terrible, the bitterness was sharp and unpleasant.
- French Press: Smooth with an enjoyable spicy middle, but the abrupt finish prevents the coffee from leaving a strong final impression.
- Pour-over: Extremely bitter, a more traditional Starbucks experience of overrated and unpleasant
- Preferred brew method: French Press
The French Press Flavor may appeal to a casual drinker as it is smooth with relatively muted flavors. I am not sure anyone would enjoy this coffee much with a pour-over unless you use a lot of cream and sugar to cut the bitterness.
Where to Purchase
At a price point of $14.95 a pound, it is an okay value in a pinch, especially for an organic coffee. However, you can get cleaner and better coffee from local or smaller roasters for just a slightly higher price. Simply Nature Single Origin Peruvian and Honduran coffees are much better in terms of quality and value.
You can find Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend on the Starbucks website and Amazon (it is very expensive here). It is also available in some of their coffee shops.
Conclusion – Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend
After tasting the Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend, here’s my honest take. For a coffee marketed as bold and hearty, the French Press delivered a smooth cup with mild sweetness and clove-like spice, though the flavors dropped off abruptly in the finish. The pour-over, on the other hand, was bitter and unpleasant, making it less enjoyable unless you add cream or sugar.
Overall, the Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend is a solid option if you have Starbucks gift cards or want an organic choice from a big brand, but it’s not the boldest or highest quality coffee I’ve tried. For a smoother, more flavorful cup, local roasters or smaller specialty brands often offer better quality at a similar price point.
Starbucks Organic Yukon Blend Scorecard
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Roast | Medium |
| Flavor Notes | Spicy, clove, mild sweetness |
| Best Brew Method | French Press |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 |
| Worth Buying? | Decent for French Press; better options exist locally |
| Where to Buy | Starbucks | Amazon |
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