Starbucks Buys Clover

In a sad development for coffee aficionados, Starbucks bought the company that developed the revolutionary Clover coffee machine.

The $11,000 Clover allowed coffee shops to brew single cups of coffee within the unique parameters that best served that particular bean. You could control the grind size, dose, water temperature, and contact time, on a cup-by-cup basis.

The good side of the deal is that Starbucks has plenty of capital to keep the technology rolling. Unfortunately, the flip side is that you probably won’t find too many independent coffee shops lining up to buy a machine like this from the big competitor down the block. The kinds of places that have been buying the Clover have been brewing awesome Direct and Free Trade beans. It’s a real treat to be able to try different, interesting, expertly-brewed coffees with every visit. I have a feeling that Starbucks bean selection may not have the variety or breadth that these Clover shops have made standard.

Luckily, Pittsburgh has a Clover that’s pre-Starbucks, at 21st Street Coffee in the Strip. Soon your local Starbucks will have one too. But do yourself a favor and get a cup at one of the independents for the full experience.