Simplify, Simplify: Which Drinks Will Be Axed From Starbucks' Menu?

Starbucks is going to slim down its drink menu, notes Starbucks Gossip. They cite a line from an AP wire article on recent Starbucks business:

"Starbucks also said it plans to cut the number of different drinks on its menu, a move it hopes will help baristas get customers through the line more quickly."

This makes sense to Seattlest. We're fans of Barry Schwartz and his Paradox of Choice: too many choices stress people out. Choices are good, but "unlimited choice" can "produce genuine suffering."

That's right. Not only will they speed up their lines -- Starbucks will reduce suffering. We expect a press release any day now announcing that the company is taking refuge in the dharma and that their cups will come pre-printed with a Bodhisattva vow.

Of course, just because something's not "on the menu" doesn't mean you can't order it. Starbucks' posted menu may be shrinking, but we expect their secret menu will expand.

Starbucks Gossip commenters are already suggesting drinks to get rid of: "that failed experiment of the Tangerine Fruit Juice Blend...maybe a few of the Frappachinos." And Valencia -- or any orange-flavored coffee, which someone says "wasn't selling for crap in 99% of the stores."

We're not all that picky, frankly, as long as they don't get rid of iced tea -- we're not big on coffee, we confess. What drinks do you think they should axe?

Photo of the Columbia City Starbucks sign by me. Shameless pimping? Yes.