Hard to believe what I just read–the word “Sanka” is in the information. “Sanka,” now my father would be happy to hear that word. I haven’t seen the word or the product in recent memory.  Once, very long ago, that word was synonymous with decaffeinated coffee, albeit in a little flavor type pak. Once not so long ago “Starbucks” meant freshly brewed coffee with almost unlimited possibilities regarding size, milk choices, foam, and flavorings.

It was like going to a candy store and taking one from each column: I”ll have a tall half caf skinny latte with a shot of vanilla–that’s what I mean. No two people ever seemed to order the same thing. That was part of the mystery, the fun. You could experiment each time you went in and order something til you figured out your specific flavor profile. They were happy to accommodate. They made your order sound normal.

Wow, that was so long ago. Way before the decaf decision, and definitely before yesterday’s news about a “soluble” product. That may be an industry word, but it sounds like it’s from the chemical industry not anything food-related.

What exactly is this new Via, which by the way means road, path or this case does it conjure up Robert Frost and imply the road not taken? This is definitely news. Not the type I was expecting.

Sure these are tough times, I’m the first to recognize that significance. People are cutting back all over the place and multiple shots are being replaced by fresh brews. Starbucks is trying to reposition itself but on the Via? Definitely a strategy to watch.

I wish them well. Just afraid of what’s next–they have had a new strategy each week. Do we start bringing our own milk?