A shocking confession

I have a confession to make... I have become a Starbucks coffee drinker.

As a self confessed coffee snob I realise this is a shocking transgression! However the Philippines does present a real challenge for anyone who needs a cup of caffeine to kick start their day.

When you order a coffee here you will often be given a cup of hot water and a "Nestle 3 in 1 sachet"- that's instant coffee, sugar and powdered milk all-in one. Yes it tastes as bad as it sounds! So the solution? A latte from the big bad multinational. Ask for a double shot and it's quite drinkable.

In my defense Starbucks is part of the Sparkhope project; in partnership with UNICEF it provides barangays with access to early learning programs. It makes the brown liquid go down a little easier!