Well Fed Network

Posted by Chris Arpante on A Nice Cuppa

I admit Starbucks is not the first place I will stop for a cup of coffee in the morning.  However, if I am running late, a Grande House Blend, black, works well.  And so was the case this morning.  A bit sluggish and hesitant getting ready to deal with 1100 middle schoolers after a week off, I hit the road at 6:05AM.  Drive-thru included, my target was be in my office by 6:30AM .

“Grande House Blend, black. please.  And, um…. ooh!  One ‘perfect oatmeal’ please with fruit and nuts.  Thanks!”

A cold and rainy 38 degrees, the sensational picture of oatmeal served as the perfect pick me up. Now, having worked in advertising in a former life, I understand marketing and food styling.  Nonetheless, I would expect something somewhat similar to what is advertised.  Nope.  I opened the cardboard container to see the warm yumminess and saw cloudy water with oatmeal floaties.  My difficulty in filtering facial expressions apparently came across because the drive-thru girl responds, “Wait a couple of minutes and the water will be absorbed. It’s instant.”

What? Instant? Seriously? Okay, I am inclined to understand that a chain store would not make their oatmeal fresh each and every morning.  But can they at least fake it, even a little? For $3.50, I will go the grocery store and buy a box next time.  Sometimes, stores need remember that less is more. Starbucks  = coffee.  Quaker Oats = instant oatmeal.