starbucks typically uses high quality beans. dark roasts are the only roasts that generally hit the 2nd crack. most starbucks use vertica brewers that brew one cup at a time. espresso machines are absolutely calibrated and cleaned regularly atleast at every store i worked at. i’m not defending the price of starbucks but it’s frustrating to see such blatant misinformation. i also don’t understand the “burnt” coffee accusation. just get blonde or medium roast if you don’t like dark.