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Starbucks Clover Comes to Hawaii (for real)

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This time it’s for real. The Starbucks launch of the Clover Brewing System in select locations happened today, Thursday, October 23, 2014. There were a few months of Clover teasing, but today was the official day.

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What’s on the Clover menu? Here’s what you can order, and yes, a grande of Jamaica Blue Mountain is nearly $5.

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But here’s the thing. The pairing of the Starbucks Reserve coffee with the Clover Brewing System makes a great cup of coffee, one that’s on a whole different level. I can’t explain it, but I can taste it. I sampled the Colombia, the Ka’u, and the Jamaica Blue Mountain, and they all tasted unique. No cream, no sugar, just pure extracted flavor, and the Clover Brewing System extracts a lot of flavor.

Watching the Clover process is watching an orchestrated performance. I can see why the baristas needed training before properly using a Clover. It starts with freshly ground Starbucks Reserve then the Clover dance begins with the grounds rising and falling. Hot water is added, the grounds are stirred, then the elixir is suctioned out leaving a pancake of coffee grounds.

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A few things to note. The Clover-brewed coffee is scalding hot, considerably hotter than the normal brew. In a typical insulated tumbler, your Clover drink stays hot for hours. The entire Clover process takes several minutes, so if you’re in a rush, you probably don’t want a Clover. I’m not sure about the caffeine content of the Clover brewed. Since it’s like a French press, lots of coffee grounds are used, so I’m guessing there’s a caffeine kick to contend with.

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And here’s a bonus I discovered by accident. Leave your Clover in your enclosed car for several minutes as you run an errand (don’t worry, it’ll still be hot). When you come back to your car, take in that aroma. Your entire car will have the delicious smell of a coffee shop. No shame as you sit for a few minutes breathing it all in.

Thanks for bringing the Clover Brewing System to Hawaii, Starbucks!

More Starbucks Clovers in Hawaii

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Whoa now, what’s this? Starbucks is expanding their locations featuring the Clover brewing system. Originally, this specialty brewer was only available at the new-ish Aina Haina location. But yes, though it’s there, the Clover is “out of commission” awaiting personnel training. So I’ve heard that training is indeed underway with a target date of October 23 as the Clover launch at Aina Haina and Koko Marina.

Say what?! Another east side Starbucks getting a Clover? That doesn’t seem fair. But wait, there’s more. How about Clovers in Kaneohe and in town? We’re talking Windward City and the Airport Trade Center locations.

Check out the official Starbucks map (as of October 15, 2014).

Clovers as of 10/15/14

How to Get Teased by a Clover?

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You visit the Aina Haina Starbucks location with the only Clover Brewing System on Oahu and learn that it’s still not in production. Only this time, it’s not the hardware; it’s the “software.” As in the workers aren’t trained to operate the Clover.

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Sad but then again, patience is a virtue I hear. And an iced coffee stylized in the Waterlogue app is pretty cool looking.

Painted in Waterlogue
Not Clover brewed

Starbucks Aina Haina Get Ka`u

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With only 600 bags available for online purchase, the limited Starbucks Reserve Hawaii Ka’u has since sold out. But the Ka`u is making an appearance at the new Aina Haina Starbucks. This location is evidently going to be the premiere Starbucks on Oahu with this rare coffee available in-store along with the (non-functioning) Clover brewing system.

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Thanks again to @yoda808 for the pictures.

Update: I stand corrected. Wayne’s World said the Ka`u reserve is still available online, and he is correct. I must have been using an old link or product code. Anyways, I updated the link in the post.

Starbucks Clover Comes to Oahu

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The special Starbucks Clover brewing system has finally arrived in Hawaii, and it’s been here for two or three weeks. If you visit the newest Starbucks location in Aina Haina, you’ll find the first Clover on Oahu. Thanks to @yoda808 for the recon.

Clover Brewing in Aina Haina
Clover Brewing in Aina Haina

clover-store-locatorUsing the Starbucks store locator confirms that store 1009038 is the only Clover system in Hawaii. What’s so good about the Clover? I’m going to really, really dumb it down, but it makes fancy coffee even fancier. Taste a Clover prepared coffee, and you’ll taste a difference.

Just let it be known that only stores that meet certain specifications have Clovers installed. Now, I’m really surprised that this new (untested) location in Aina Haina has a Clover instead of seeing one at a high traffic location like Ward, but Starbucks must have done their research. Or maybe just the potential of (wealthy) Hawaii Kai commuters needing an exquisite pick-me-up for the drive to town would justify the Clover placement. Who knows, but I do know Aina Haina is a far drive from the Windward side. 🙁

Now Starbucksmelody.com can finally show an entry for Hawaii for Clover locations.

Finding a Clover in a Haystack

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Prologue: I knew this would happen if I waited too long (which I did), but I forgot the details of finding my first Starbucks Clover location in California. You heard that phrase about finding a needle in a haystack, right? Well, I essentially found a Clover in a haystack! Read on…

It was during a summer trip to Central Valley, California, and we were driving for awhile. Were we driving to San Francisco? Monterey? Santa Rosa? Sadly my memory fails me. But all I remember was I was tired after driving for hours. I needed a caffeinated pick-me-up before continuing to drive for a few more hours. So I asked my wife to use the Starbucks mobile app to locate a nearby store. The app showed a few locations, and I headed to the closest one which so happened to be located in an outdoor shopping outlet area. Seeing the familiar Starbucks sign was truly an oasis.

I got out of the car, walked to the door, and noticed this unfamiliar logo in the window.

Holy Starbucks! We randomly stumbled upon a rare Starbucks Clover location!! I couldn’t believe it. Off all the stores displayed on the Starbucks app, we happened to pick one with a Clover brewing system.

Like I said, I was fatigued from driving and my memory is fading, but I couldn’t quite figure out the Clover menu. A barrista cheerfully guided me through the various options, and I got an iced Kenya. Because it’s freshly brewed, the wait time was a bit longer, but it was fascinating to watch the individual brewing process. I do remember the coffee tasting fresher and not as bitter. The flavor was deeper, but since my drink was iced, the fresh brew quickly became watered down as the ice melted.

Still though, having a Starbucks for the rest of the drive was great and just thinking about the kismet of this happenstance is still incomprehensible.

While there is no official map of all the Starbucks Clover locations, check out Starbucks Melody’s blog as she documents her visits to as many Clover locations as she can.

Update: this location is store number 69034 located in Town Center Corte Madera.