Discovery Series – Michigan

I’ve reviewed Michigan Ornament recently, and Discovery Series – Michigan is a full-size version. The matching symbols from these two are: the Petoskey Stone, cherries, Mackinac Bridge, Robin Redbreast, and Ford Model T. The following elements are specific to the mug only:

– The painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) is the official state reptile of Michigan, known for its distinctive, colorful markings. These turtles have smooth, dark shells adorned with red, orange, and yellow streaks along the edges. Painted turtles are commonly found in Michigan’s ponds, lakes, and marshes, basking on logs or rocks in the sun.… Read more

Discovery Series – Niagara Falls

Here’s the bigger version of the ornament that we’ve seen earlier. When compared to the mini mug, the design of the Discovery Series Niagara Falls has way more details. Let’s review them together.

But before we do that, I would like to mention an interesting fact about Niagara Falls. Did you know that this famous group of waterfalls is continuously evolving due to both natural and human influences? Erosion, a key natural process, gradually reshapes the falls as the powerful water flow wears away the underlying rock layers.… Read more

Discovery Series – Canada

I include a picture of the box together with the newly released Discovery Series Canada mug to emphasize one particularity of the Discovery mugs from Canada, namely the typo on the cover of the box. I am sure this will be fixed soon, so if you want to keep this piece of Starbucks memorabilia, I suggest you don’t wait for too long and get them rather sooner than later.

Compared to some other Discovery mugs, Discovery Series Canada has quite a few symbols and landmarks (I counted fifteen).… Read more

Discovery Series – Oregon

I’ve reviewed the smaller version of the Discovery Series – Oregon mug earlier, you can see that post here. In addition to Oregon’s rocky coast, duck, blackberries, mushrooms, and Bigfoot that we saw in the design of the ornament, these are the symbols and landmarks specific to the bigger mug:

– Although tulips are not native to Oregon, they can thrive in any region of the state with the proper care and planning. The tulip on the front of the mug is probably related to the annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, held in Woodburn.… Read more

Discovery Series – Chicago

Starbucks Discovery Series – Chicago mug compliments the ornament that I reviewed earlier. I’ve already gone over these symbols and landmarks from the ornament: Chicago-style hot dog, the Chicago “L”, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Chicago’s musical heritage. In this post, we will take a look at the remaining elements of the design:

– The popcorn on the front of the mug is probably a reference to Garrett Popcorn Shops, which has been a staple since 1949. Garrett’s Chicago Mix, a delicious blend of caramel and cheese popcorn, has become a local and tourist favorite, embodying the city’s unique take on a classic snack.… Read more

Discovery Series – Washington, D.C.

Starbucks Discovery Series – Washington, D.C., and the ornament that I’ve added already were released together earlier this month. Traditionally, the bigger mug has more elements in the design:

– The Lincoln Memorial, an iconic symbol of American democracy, stands majestically at the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln, the memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon and features a striking 19-foot marble statue of Lincoln seated contemplatively. The memorial’s classical Greek temple design, with 36 Doric columns representing the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death, draws millions of visitors annually.… Read more

Discovery Series – Ohio

The Buckeye State gets Discovery Series – Ohio mug, featuring a design filled with landmarks and symbols. Here are some of them:

– The Red Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) was adopted as Ohio’s state flower in 1904 to honor President William McKinley, an Ohioan who often wore a scarlet carnation on his lapel. The flower symbolizes love, admiration, and affection, fitting for a state known for its hospitality. Carnations are also popular in gardens and floral arrangements due to their vibrant color and pleasant fragrance.… Read more

Discovery Series – Austin

Starbucks Discovery Series – Austin is the latest addition from Texas, which was expected, since all the collections from the past had it.

Austin stands as the proud capital of Texas, embodying the spirit of the Lone Star State. Founded in 1839, the city was named after Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.” Its origins trace back to the Republic of Texas era, when it served as the capital of the fledgling nation. Over the years, Austin evolved from a humble frontier settlement into a bustling hub of commerce, education, and government.… Read more

Discovery Series – Alaska

Discovery Series – Alaska is a fresh release from the Last Frontier State. Alaska, the largest state in the United States, has a rich history. The land has been home to indigenous peoples for millennia, with vibrant cultures and diverse tribes such as the Aleut, Inupiat, Yup’ik, and Tlingit. In the 18th century, Russian explorers established settlements, paving the way for Russian colonization and the lucrative fur trade. However, in 1867, Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia, marking a significant turning point in its history.… Read more

Discovery Series – San Francisco

It seems that the Starbucks Discovery Series San Francisco mug has a little bit more detail compared to other mugs from this series. Here are some of them:

– The Golden Gate Bridge, an architectural marvel, was constructed between 1933 and 1937. Standing at an impressive height of 746 feet above the San Francisco Bay, this suspension bridge stretches over 1.7 miles in length. Its distinctive orange-red color, officially known as “International Orange,” was chosen for its visibility in the foggy conditions that often envelop the area.… Read more

1 2 3