Alright, so it's no surprise that I love coffee. It's also no surprise to my friends that I live in a part of the world that DOES NOT have a Starbucks. Yes, that's correct. It may not be that way for long, but that's the way it is now.

You know, I have different feelings about globalization and capitalism and big businesses's effect on small towns (Do we really need a 6th Walmart in this town?), but it really comes down this for me concerning coffee: When at ALL possible, I seek out local business for coffee. Obviously, here, I have no choice and I do suffer through some shitty-ass coffee. It mean, it's poor, and if it's ever good, it's inconsistant, so it's like playing the culinary lottery anytime I'd like a cup of coffee. But, when I travel into Starbucksburg (that's the rest of the continental U.S. for you non-Rio Grande Valley residents), and I cannot find a local coffee shop that is accessible and open, I will exert my Starbucks patronage.

I think this is because I enjoy their drinks, they do have relative consistency, they are fast, and on some sub-conscious level, they are saavy and visually appealing. I love the coffee shop life -- a muffin here, a news paper here, a vanilla latte there -- and Starbucks can always guarantee me that satisfactory experience.

There also is a bit of nostalgia -- it reminds me of the weeks upon weeks upon months of studying in college at my university's cafes that "Proudly Serve Starbucks Coffee". The baristas were my friends -- one of my best friend was the manager, Hey Ann Marie! -- the money went to my alma mater, the place was familiar and there was always the guarantee of fresh, creamy, and warm caffeine coming through the Teat of Early Mornings. You can't be a Chem Major and not understand this.

So, I suppose, every trip to a Starbucks is a small piece of "Oh, YES! I CAN ENJOY THIS AWAKE/RESTED/NOT DRIVING MY BRAINS OUT STUDYING!".

So, in the meantime, I go to local shops, pay too much attenetion to their service deficits, dream of having my own place (only to make other mistakes I'm sure.), and try to make Caramel Macchiatos at home. Here's how.

By the way, the recipe doesn't say so, but since Starbuck's caramel source is a secret, it may be hard to find an acceptable substitute for the discerning palatte. To my tastes, the closest proxy is Smucker's Ice Cream Topper caramel sauce -- it comes in an upside-down squeeze bottle. It's slightly saltier than Starbucks' but just fine.