There's a nice post on the Telegraph blog about a chap who has written a book about Starbucks which is - yawn - a long moan.
Now Starbucks coffee might not be the best, but do any of those who complain about its supppsed homogenizing effect and impact on local coffee shops remember just how bloody awful coffee shops used to be? Until Starbucks came along, buying coffee in British cafes meant buying some disgusting brown sludge.
Good riddance to those shops forced out of business, Starbucks opened up the market by serving decent coffee, and led the way for other chains, too. All of which are better than what went before. (For what it's worth, I prefer Costa, with Caffe Nero next best.)
That said, I drink my coffee almost always at home, via what is my second favourite machine. (This is my favourite.) And that machine is the wondrous Nespresso. I used to sneer at it. How could coffee made by Nescafe be any use? And then I tasted it. Glorious. If you love coffee, and you've never had it, try it. (And no, I'm not being paid by them!)
UPDATE: Michael Gove has excellent taste.