Discovery Series – Rio de Janeiro

The Starbucks Discovery Series Rio de Janeiro captures the energy, history, and unmistakable scenery of one of Brazil’s most famous cities. Founded in 1565 by the Portuguese, Rio de Janeiro served as the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries and remains one of the country’s cultural icons. From its world-famous beaches and colonial architecture to its vibrant festivals and tropical landscapes, Rio offers an experience unlike anywhere else. The mug brings together many of the landmarks and traditions that define the “Cidade Maravilhosa” — the Marvellous City.… Read more

Icon – Jeddah (prototype)

When I first learned that a private collection containing several Starbucks prototype mugs was being offered for sale, I expected to find color variations or minor manufacturing differences. What I didn’t expect were design changes that reveal part of the creative process behind the final mug.

This Icon Jeddah prototype is one of those fascinating examples.

At first glance, it looks almost identical to the production mug. The city name, colors, and the historic Nasseef House featured on the front are all there.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Yosemite

I have been chasing this hard-to-find ornament for a while now. Fingers crossed it joins my collection soon.

The Discovery Series Ornament Yosemite brings together several of the park’s most recognizable natural attractions despite its compact size. While the full-sized mug has room for a broader collection of landmarks, the ornament focuses on Yosemite’s rugged wilderness, outdoor recreation, and native wildlife. It captures the spirit of one of America’s oldest and most beloved national parks.

– Yosemite Falls dominates the right side of the ornament.… Read more

You Are Here Seoul – an opportunity to own one of the rarest Starbucks mugs ever released

As many collectors already know, Starbucks never officially released a You Are Here Seoul mug. South Korea received the Korea Real City series instead, making a Seoul YAH mug something that simply wasn’t supposed to exist.

Well… one does.

This is not a production mug that somehow slipped through retail. It is believed to be a prototype/sample created during the development of the You Are Here collection before the series was discontinued. To date, this may be the only known example to have surfaced publicly, although its exact production history remains unknown.… Read more

Discovery Series – Kauai

The Starbucks Discovery Series Kauai celebrates Hawaii’s oldest major island, often called the “Garden Isle” because of its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and abundant rainfall. Formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Kauai has developed a unique character that sets it apart from the other Hawaiian Islands. Its rugged terrain, rich wildlife, and slower pace of life make it a favorite destination for travellers seeking natural beauty. The mug brings together many of the symbols that define this tropical paradise.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Wyoming

Wyoming’s imagery draws heavily from its vast natural landscapes, Western heritage, and strong wildlife identity. The Starbucks Discovery Ornament Wyoming reflects this mix by combining national parks, native species, and cultural traditions into a compact visual story. It captures both the rugged outdoors and the historic ranching lifestyle that defines much of the state. Together, these symbols represent Wyoming’s identity as a place shaped by wilderness and frontier history.

– Yellowstone National Park is one of the most recognizable landscapes in the United States and a defining symbol of Wyoming.… Read more

Relief – Australia

It seems there are four different colour combinations for the Relief country mugs from the Land Down Under, and I had only added one to the site. I’m fixing that oversight with this post about the Starbucks Relief Australia mug.

The tree on the front of the mug is probably the Golden Wattle tree, Australia’s national floral emblem, known for its bright yellow, fluffy blossoms that bloom in late winter and early spring. It grows as a hardy shrub or small tree and is commonly found across southeastern Australia.… Read more

Discovery Series – Playa del Carmen

The Starbucks Discovery Series Playa del Carmen celebrates one of Mexico’s most popular coastal destinations on the Riviera Maya. Originally a small fishing village, Playa del Carmen experienced rapid growth during the late twentieth century as tourism expanded along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. Today, it serves as both a resort city and a gateway to the region’s beaches, reefs, cenotes, and archaeological sites. The mug captures the relaxed atmosphere and tropical character that have made Playa del Carmen famous around the world.… Read more

You Are Here – Gdynia

I would like to thank a reader of the blog for providing the photos of this newly released You Are Here – Gdynia mug. Interestingly enough, Starbucks had already released a mug for Trójmiasto (Tricity), the metropolitan area primarily consisting of the cities of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. To make things even more interesting, a dedicated mug for Gdańsk was released later as well. Does this mean a mug for Sopot is also in Starbucks’ plans? Why not?

Founded in the 1920s, Gdynia is one of Poland’s youngest major cities.… Read more

Discovery Series – Belo Horizonte

The Starbucks Discovery Series Belo Horizonte celebrates the capital of Minas Gerais, a city founded in 1897 as Brazil’s first planned state capital. Known for its distinctive architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and strong culinary traditions, Belo Horizonte has grown into one of Brazil’s largest metropolitan areas. The mug highlights many of the elements that define the city, from its famous food and music to its passion for sports and the surrounding mountain landscape.

– Pão de Queijo, represented by the basket of cheese breads above the city name, is perhaps the most famous culinary symbol of Minas Gerais.… Read more

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