Starbucks takes us through its ethical sourcing journey to always deliver a high-quality product to every customer

Doha, 16 March 2020: Today, Starbucks announced the launch of a special limited-edition Anniversary Blend created to celebrate the milestone of 50 years since the brand’s inception in Seattle in 1971. Full-bodied, robust, and undeniably bold, the new blend is a testament to the company’s longstanding presence and a celebration of the future into the next 50 years. The blend is available across all Starbucks stores in the MENA region. 

Anniversary Blend is a bold annual favourite sourced exclusively from West Java. With coffee from the lofty mountain jungles of Indonesia featuring coveted herbal characteristics, the layers of spice notes and a smooth buttery mouthfeel offer a delightful experience. The beans are combined with aged Sumatra to create a myriad of earthy flavours and spice. The delicious blend features aromatic notes of smoked cedar and allspice creating an intense yet elegant cup, complemented by lingering accents of black truffle and fresh tarragon.

Commenting on the occasion, Andy Holmes, President of the Starbucks Division at Alshaya Group, said: “We are delighted to mark Starbucks half a century of serving delicious coffee. Acknowledging this milestone, it is our pleasure to invite all our customers in the MENA region to savour this special blend that commemorates Starbucks journey over the past 50 years.”

From their humble beginnings at the historic Pike Place Market in Seattle, to now offering some of the world’s finest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees, Starbucks is leading the effort to make coffee the world’sfirst sustainable agricultural product.

The ethically sourced Anniversary Blend stems from Starbucks’ commitment to providing high-quality coffee, sourced responsibly through partnerships with farmers around the world. The brand is dedicated to empowering farmers, improving their livelihoods, and positively impacting their communities by providing free access to sustainable farming resources through their Farmer Support Centres across the globe. At every step, the brand goes to great lengths to make sure the beans meet the highest standards to deliver the best tasting coffee thus making a difference in communities, at the origin and in the neighbourhoods they serve.

Operating through the lens of humanity, Starbucks is committed to the betterment of people and the planet, aspiring to give back more than they take from the planet. Taking on the responsibility to care for the entire supply chain, Starbucks is dedicated to addressing environmental challenges, empowering farmers, and positively impacting their communities. Ensuring a sustainable future for coffee for all, they aim to reduce their carbon, water, and waste impacts, working together with customers and like-minded organizations to protect the planet.

“Alshaya Group partnered with Starbucks 20 years into the brand’s journey, opening the first Middle East Starbucks store on February 7th, 1991 in Kuwait’s Souq Sharq mall. Over the past 30 years, we have steadily increased our reach and are proud to now operate 880 Starbucks stores in ten MENA markets, employing over 8,800 people from 50 nations. Together with our loyal customers and dedicated partners, we will continue moving forward to elevate our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time,” concluded Holmes.

Starbucks continues to focus on creating uplifting experiences for their customers, partners, and contributing towards having an overall positive role in the communities. For availability of the limited-edition Anniversary Blend in your market, please visit your nearest Starbucks store.