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 – 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

Discovery Series Ornament – Phuket

Let’s wrap up our look at the Thailand mini mugs with the release of the Discovery Series Ornament Phuket. Interestingly enough, there is no country ornament for Thailand yet, but I am sure that it is only a matter of time.

The Starbucks Discovery Phuket ornament highlights Thailand’s largest island and one of Southeast Asia’s most famous beach destinations. Located in the Andaman Sea, Phuket has evolved from a historic trading port into an international tourism hub known for its tropical scenery, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life.… Read more

Discovery Series – Cancun

From what I am seeing, Mexico will have the largest number of Discovery Series releases when compared to other countries in Latin America, and it will take some time to review them all, so bear with me.

The Starbucks Discovery Series Cancun celebrates one of Mexico’s most famous resort destinations. Located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancun transformed from a small fishing community into an international tourism powerhouse during the second half of the 20th century. Today, millions of visitors arrive each year to enjoy its beaches, turquoise waters, and access to some of the region’s most remarkable natural and archaeological attractions.… Read more

You Are Here – Lucerne (prototype)

I continue discovering more and more prototypes from the private collection that is currently being sold on eBay. While this You Are Here – Lucerne prototype has already found a new owner, I believe it is worth documenting for fellow collectors.

As you can see from the pictures below, the only difference between this prototype and the mug that was eventually released in stores is the lion on the back. In the prototype, the lion is white, whereas the production version features a blue lion.… Read more

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