Starbucks Brews First Thai Blend To Mark Five Great Years in the Market

Starbucks Brews First Thai Blend To Mark Five Great Years in the Market; Local Coffee Offering Part of Starbucks Exclusive Commitment to Origins Coffees

BANGKOK, Thailand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2003--Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) today celebrated its fifth year anniversary in Thailand with the introduction of the country's first Starbucks coffee blend, Starbucks(R) Muan Jai Blend(TM).

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The mellow and earthy flavor of Starbucks(R) Muan Jai Blend(TM) are distinct. The coffee is sourced in northern Thailand where the high quality arabica beans are farmed by the hill tribes in the districts of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Sorn. The name of the coffee blend "Muan Jai" means "wholehearted happiness" in the northern Thai language Kum-Mueang -- one of the unique dialects still found in the country.

Assisted by the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), a Thailand-based non-governmental organization, Starbucks Coffee (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Starbucks Coffee Company, identified premium quality arabica beans to incorporate as the basis for the Starbucks(R) Muan Jai Blend(TM). Also working in coordination with the ITDP, Starbucks Coffee (Thailand) will help provide support for water/sanitation and education projects to benefit the hilltribe coffee growing community.

"We are extremely proud in offering this exceptional coffee to our Thai customers," said Andrew Nathan, managing director, Starbucks Coffee (Thailand) Co., Ltd. "Our partnership with ITDP demonstrates that we can integrate sustainability into our business, creating a net benefit for the local coffee farmers as well as the bottom line."

"Since opening the first Starbucks in Bangkok in 1998, Starbucks has become one of the most recognized and respected global retail brands in Thailand," said Nathan. "We would like to thank our loyal customers and partners (employees) for our early success. As we continue to exceed the expectations of our customers by offering them the highest quality coffee and excellent customer service, I am very optimistic about our future growth in Thailand."

The launch of Starbucks(R) Muan Jai Blend(TM) is timely as Starbucks recently rolled out its line of Commitment to Origins(TM) coffees in several Asia Pacific markets -- Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand, Malaysia, Korea, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The Starbucks(R) Muan Jai Blend(TM) is part of Starbucks Commitment to Origins(TM), its exclusive line-up of exceptional sustainable coffees that promote progress in areas like conservation, organic farming and economic stability -- some of the important issues affecting the people and places that produce our coffee.

"Commitment to Origins(TM) is Starbucks pledge to provide the highest quality coffee while contributing to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of coffee production," said Pedro Man, president, Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific Ltd. "By bringing these coffees to our Asian markets, we are building upon our commitment to offer high quality products to customers in this region. The Commitment to Origins(TM) coffees are an invitation to our customers in Asia to help support the sustainability of coffee farming families around the globe."

Muan Jai is a perfect addition to Starbucks Commitment to Origins(TM) line up as it is purchased directly from the hilltribe farmers and was developed as a result of working with farmers to improve their technical skills, increasing their distribution opportunities, and connecting customers with coffee growers -- all important components of Commitment to Origins(TM).

The Starbucks Commitment to Origins(TM) sustainable coffees currently available in Asia Pacific include Shade Grown Mexico and Fair Trade Blend. Other offerings also include Starbucks(R) Special Reserve coffees, which are selections that showcase the year's best coffee; and exclusives from established long-term direct relationships with farms and cooperatives, such as Bella Vista F.W. Tres Rios(R) Costa Rica and Panama La Florentina(TM).

In Asia Pacific, Starbucks has been involved in the renovation of an elementary school in Lintong Nihuta, Sumatra, Indonesia. The school, with some 153 children from coffee farmer families in the heart of Lintong Nihuta, is undergoing restoration work to replace the roof and repair walls, ceilings and classroom floors.

Funded and supported by PT Sari Coffee Limited, a licensee of Starbucks Coffee International, the project will also include the construction of new toilet facilities and the purchase of desks, chairs and replacement books for the school library.

Starbucks Coffee International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starbucks Coffee Company, the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 7,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and Starbucks Experience and conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business.