I’ve learned something today –  Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte is not my cup of latte.  Nor, to add salted caramel to the wound, Salted Caramel is not my cup of frappuccino either.

I’m highly disappointed.

At the House, Starbucks seems to be a ruling favorite.  It was an extra special treat that was coveted by the inmates and staff, regardless of their age.  The few who had held previous (or current part-time) jobs at the infamous coffee, latte, espresso house where generally well-regarded because of their association with the caffeinated goddess.

Since I’m well underway into my food liberation and have been anti-coffee, I wanted to understand why someone who claims to be financially troubled has no propblem dropping $15 a day on water boiled over beans.

And, truthfully, I’m still perplexed.

Case-in-point –  My mom is a coffee guru.  She know swhat she likes, how much stuff to add, and exactly the right tempertature to please her discorning palet.  (Just like the way I am with gum.)  International Coffees are her ginsu knives.  Maxwell is her home boy.  Because of her husband, she tends to take her coffee black – the more bitter the better = but has a secret love for various flavors —  especially french vanilla bean.  Just like any true master, she innately knows the enjoyment of simple pleasures.

After some light begging and the vague suggestion that I could follow in her Columbia bean footsteps, we ventured to a near Starbucks to help satisfy my curosity.  After carefully surveying the online menu offers, I decided to take a chance on the Cinnamon Doluce Latte.  Yes, yes,..  I know Pumpkin Spice is the rage right now, but after my Salted Caramel Frap disaster from the House, I didn’t feel like risking another disappointment and went with a previously unknown, optimistically safe, but still a little risky, option.

My mom, creating a mother/daughter moment, also ordered the Cinnamon Doluce – iced – since it’s a warm day.

Honestly, I was prepared to like it – love it even.  I thought it would be the best drink on earth and comparible to my last taste budd adventure – apple butter BBQ sauce.  < Don’t knock it until you try it. >

Sadly, I knew I detested the flavor before the cold brew hit the back of my throat.  The cinnamon, which I’m sure is top quality, was overwhelming.  Mixed with the bitter — and don’t get me wrong –  I love bitter hot chocolate —  my dashed hopes and mom’s $5 was gone forever, taken by the great grain boiled floozy.

This was my second disappointment within two weeks.  The Salted Carmel Frap lied – it did not taste salted or carmel.  The Cinnamon Doluce Latte could be nothing more than a cup of cinnamon.  The subtle play of flavors – the aroma – the smooth and wonderful feel – was simply absent.

So…..  why is such an expensive drink coveted, even by those who’d rather go to McDonalds for a cheaper fix?  Sure, Starbucks could be considered by some to be an admirable company — hell, they offer college scholarships to employees when they don’t need to —

What is it about this mystical company’s beverages that I miss?
Or, maybe, is it just societial brainwashing that, thankfully, never caught hold?
Or – perhaps – is it just a Pavlov dog thing instigated by the new alien overloards that will appear when humans are reasonably trained?

Regardless of the reasoning, I am completely confused.

What do you think?  Have I just not chosen the right boiled beverage or is there a more sinister and potential governmental force at work?