Refer to gourmet coffee firms and the first company you're likely to think of is Star-something or other. But an additional company is beating Starbucks in national style tests.

Caribou coffee has become ranked first inside national taste assessments and is the second largest coffee-house company in the world. Those taste tests compared Caribou's java favorable to over 40 other brands. Caribou's product must be pretty tasty to rate which highly.

The company had been started in Edina, MN, by John and Kim Puckett. The Pucketts then distributed the venture for you to Crescent Capital, a good Atlanta, GA, investment company. From a single store, Caribou has exploded to 450 coffee houses nationwide.

Coffee beans and also ready-made coffee, both hot and cold, are available at these stores, along with gourmet products like lattes, smoothies, loose-leaf green tea and blended drinks. The friendly Caribou staff is happy to make your brew your way. Show the java preference by picking up Caribou Coffee clothes and accessories, such as tote totes and key jewelry. Of course, the cafes also have tasty snacks to go with your caffeine. It's a great place to stop for your morning "starter fluid" or perhaps a mid-day pick-me-up. Bring your friends with a great place to make friends.

If you have a loved one that is a coffee addict, show your style by giving a gift of Caribou Java. They'll admire the good taste and revel in your gift. Along with luck, they'll talk about it with you. Purchase own too, so you've it on hand whenever you can't get to the espresso house itself. It is also nice to have a provide on hand when you have shock guests over.

Going green is big business these days and Caribou has been doing it's share to protect the surroundings. Caribou is working the Rainforest Alliance to produce an environment-friendly coffee. Which effort has not usually gotten the most advantageous press but the company is determined to be environment friendly in its business dealings. The company was also the 1st volunteer sponsor in the Specialty Coffee Organization of America's Producer Support Fund to aid other members who can't afford to take part in association activities.

All this success hasn't come without dispute. In the days immediately after Sept 11, 2001, many people protested against the company because one of its largest stockholders was the First Islamic Purchase Bank of Bahrain, as their chairman was Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Later in the year, al-Qaradawi stepped down from your post.

Now that the talk has died straight down, the company can concentrate what it does greatest - making fantastic coffee. There's a reason why Starbucks is ranked second to Caribou. Why not stop in and find out just what that reason is actually? Look in your yellow pages or online to get the nearest Caribou Coffee wall socket and grab a new cuppa today.

For more information about caribou coffee visit our website.