Save the 20-ounce cup!

[isilzha]

Save the 20-ounce cup!

July 26, 2008

Intelligentsia Coffee is dangling on the precipice of big trouble. Starting Friday, the Chicago company, whose coffee is served in more than 900 restaurants and other outlets nationwide, will phase out its 20-ounce coffee and espresso beverages. "Drinking our coffee is not like drinking jug wine," said Intelligentsia Coffee founder and Chief Executive Doug Zell (no relation to Tribune chairman and CEO Sam Zell). "We're focused on intensity of flavors and providing coffee in the way it tastes best. And it's not in that size."

Then Zell posed this loaded question: "Do you really need 20 ounces of drip coffee?"

Yes, we do! And then some.

To loosely paraphrase Bruce Banner, who transforms into the Incredible Hulk when angry: You wouldn't like us when we're not caffeinated.

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[Chefnot]

You wouldn't like us when we're not caffeinated.

I love that!

[Food Network Fan]

The Big Gulp cups are always what amazed me. I can't believe people drink that much in one sitting. And when I was younger I drank a lot of diet pepsi and Mountain dew.

[ibcheft]

What you bet that the price of the smaller cup goes to the price of the 20oz, I do not like cold coffee and much over a small cup gets cold to quick unless it is in a insulated mug.

[Chefnot]

When I do buy coffee out I always transfer to my thermo mug to keep hot.

[Lucy]

I don't get the Big Gulp people either. Especially the Super Duper Big Gulps that you see. How can you drink that much soda on a daily basis and not get a bladder infection? Growing up, my best friend's mother would go to the store every day with one of those huge cups and buy a Diet Coke. If you brought your own cup, the store only charged like 60 cents. She kept a stash of them in her car and would stop at the store on our way home after school treat if she picked us up. My mom never let me drink much soda is it was, so she stopped letting me ride home with them. She hated to see me come home slurping on a 72oz coke. Now that I'm older, I can't say that I blame her. It definitely wasn't healthy.

I rarely make coffee at home, however I'll admit to stopping at Dunkin Donuts a few times a week and buying an X-Large Coffee and a blueberry bagel in the morning. The x-large coffee is 24 oz and I've usually downed it before it has a chance to get cold. It's the only way I can stay awake for my early morning meetings. Otherwise, I'm dozing in la la land.

[Chefnot]

Those meetings are hell Lucy!