Photo Illustration by Bryan Cole / The Collegian

From The Coffee Spot to the new Starbucks, Fresno State offers several coffee options

It̢۪s no secret. Coffee is a staple in many college students̢۪ diets. But what guides you to where you purchase you daily cup? Price? Taste? Convenience? Selection?

The recent addition of Starbucks has given Fresno State students yet another option when choosing to buy specialty coffee drinks, sugary pastries and convenient snacks on campus. Starbucks, Planet Java and Coffee Spot offer similar selections:

Starbucks

Location: The newest choice for coffee on campus is located on the second floor of the library.

Atmosphere: In addition to tables and chairs, students can lounge on couches and enjoy the offbeat, eclectic background music synonymous with the Starbucks brand. Step just outside the store, and you are surrounded by the quiet of the library, free to take your cup of joe along with you as you browse the shelves or study by a window.

Drink selection: The complete Starbucks menu, ranging from a tall cup of coffee to a venti double-chocolate chip Frappuccino, is available to order.

Food selection: While Starbucks carries the largest selection of pastries on campus, the pastries themselves are the smallest in comparison to their competition. Starbucks also carries a small selection of sandwiches, salads, fruit, yogurt and juices.

Price: A regular cup of coffee will run you anywhere from $1.55 – $1.85. Tea ranges from $1.45 – $1.85. Specialty espresso drinks cost $2.65 – $3.95. On average, the Frappuccinos are about $3.85 but can cost you more than $4.00. A muffin or bagel with cream cheese runs $1.75 and the sandwiches and salads cost about $5.75.

Planet Java

Location: There are two locations on campus, in the Leon S. Peters Business Building and in the Kremen Education Building.

Atmosphere: This “coffee shopâ€Â is more of a window that you order from. While the shop itself doesn’t have a designated seating area, there are plenty of areas to sit or study at or around the buildings.

Drink selection: All the usual offerings are available here. Planet java sells coffee, tea, a wide assortment of specialty espresso drinks and their own unique selection of blended beverages including one called “Malibu Beachâ€Â and another called “Chocolate Cake.â€Â

Food selection: The selection of pastries is small here, mostly muffins and bagels, but the pastries themselves are big. You can also find sandwiches, salads, granola bars, chips and cookies here.

Price: Regular coffee will cost you $1.60 – $1.95. Tea, in any size, is $1.60. The blended beverages range from $3.25 – $4.35. A bagel with cream cheese costs $1.75 and a muffin is $1.25. The sandwiches and salads are $6.75 and include your choice of chips, cookies or granola bar.

The Coffee Spot

Location: This option for your caffeine fix is located downstairs in the USU next to the bowling alley.

Atmosphere: The place itself is small and doesn̢۪t have anywhere to sit, but there are several options inside and just outside the USU. While there is plenty of space here, it is more likely to be loud since this is the spot for frequent university activities.

Drink selection: This option “proudly brewsâ€Â Starbucks brand coffee and carries the same selection of Tazo teas as Starbucks. It also offers specialty espresso drinks and blended beverages but has fewer flavor options.

Food selection: Coffee Spot offers muffins and bagels and has a case full of donuts and cookies. It also carries sandwiches, salad, wraps, ice cream and sushi.

Price: A cup of coffee runs $1.60 – $1.95. Tea, in any size, is $1.60. Specialty espresso drinks range from $2.50 – $3.25. The blended drinks cost $3.25. The sandwiches and wraps cost $6.75 and include a fountain drink and chips.

Coffee Facts

• Coffee is more than a fixture of U.S. diners and cafes. It is a product of global importance.
• Coffee commerce World’s second most important commodity export (first is oil); revenue is over $10 billion a year
• Second largest source of foreign exchange for developing countries
• Coffee growing… Grown in over 80 tropical countries, mostly by small farmers
• …in Latin America Acres in production: 6.7 million
• Farmers: 1 million, 75% small-scale
• Production: 66% of world’s coffee
• Production growth: 196% since 1950
• Top consumers Imports as percent of total coffee produced:

  U.S. 23%
  Germany 17%
  France 8%

Sources: Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center