Discovery Series – El Salvador

Discovery Series El Salvador follows the ornament that we’ve reviewed earlier.

El Salvador’s history stretches from ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to its modern identity as a resilient Central American nation. Long before Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the region was home to Indigenous peoples such as the Pipil, whose cultural influence remains visible today. After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, El Salvador experienced periods of political change, civil conflict, and social transformation, all of which shaped its strong national character and cultural pride.… Read more

Discovery Series – Guyana

I recently reported on Central America joining the new collection and have been closely monitoring the web for upcoming releases. Just as I anticipated, a brand new mug from South America has now made its debut. Discovery Series Guyana is a very colourful mug from a lush, culturally diverse nation renowned for its stunning rainforests, abundant wildlife, and vibrant blend of Caribbean and South American influences.

Guyana gained independence from Britain on May 26, 1966, becoming the first English-speaking country in South America.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – El Salvador

The Starbucks Discovery Series has taken an important new step by expanding into Central America. The first release showing this change is the Discovery Series Ornament El Salvador. Until now, the series has mainly focused on the United States, so this release clearly shows a wider direction. This expansion suggests that we will soon see dozens of new Discovery Series mugs and ornaments for Central and South American countries.

The design of the El Salvador ornament is similar to what we have already seen in Discovery Series releases from the USA.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Malaysia

Strangely enough, Been There Ornament Malaysia was released later than ornaments for some of its cities.

Malaysia’s history is shaped by ancient Malay kingdoms, centuries of maritime trade, and waves of cultural influence from China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Over time, these interactions formed a vibrant nation where diverse traditions coexist naturally. From the early sultanates to British rule and finally independence in 1957, Malaysia has grown into a country celebrated for harmony, cultural pride, and rapid modern development.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Brunei

I was lucky to receive the Been There Ornament – Brunei recently. It resembles the design of the full-size mug that we’ve reviewed recently.

Brunei, officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, has a history deeply rooted in Malay culture and Islamic traditions. The earliest records of Brunei date back to the 7th century, when it was part of the Srivijaya Empire and later came under the influence of the Majapahit Empire. By the 15th century, Brunei had become a powerful Islamic sultanate under Sultan Bolkiah, extending its influence over much of Borneo and the southern Philippines.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Cambodia

Let’s continue our journey through Southeast Asia by reviewing this beautiful Been There Ornament Cambodia. Similar to some other ornaments from this region, it comes in a set with another city mini mug. You can see the photo of the box below.

Here are a few of the symbols I spotted in the design of the ornament:

Angkor Wat stands as Cambodia’s greatest symbol and the world’s largest religious monument, representing the height of Khmer architectural mastery. Built in the early 12th century under King Suryavarman II, it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before becoming a revered Buddhist temple.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Laos

Been There Ornament – Laos is the release for the landlocked nation in Southeast Asia with a history that weaves together ancient kingdoms, colonial influences, and modern resilience. Once known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang, or the “Land of a Million Elephants,” Laos was founded in the 14th century and flourished as a center of trade and Buddhism. It later fell under French colonial rule in the late 19th century before gaining full independence in 1953. Today, Laos continues to embrace its cultural traditions while steadily growing as a peaceful and welcoming destination.… Read more

Been There – Malaysia

Starbucks Been There Malaysia is a mug for a country whose history is shaped by the meeting of diverse cultures, kingdoms, and colonial influences. From the ancient Malacca Sultanate, which was a major trading hub, to periods of Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule, the region has long been a crossroads of commerce and culture. The country gained independence in 1957, forming the Federation of Malaya, which later expanded into modern-day Malaysia in 1963. This rich history continues to influence its identity, blending tradition with progress.… Read more

You Are Here – Italia

Thanks to a blog reader, I was finally able to acquire good photos of the newly released You Are Here Italia mug. It is essentially an exact copy of the mug released seven years ago, with the only difference being the use of the country’s name in Italian: Italia instead of Italy.

I didn’t do the full review of the mug back in 2018, so let’s do it now.

The Colosseum in Rome is one of the most iconic landmarks of Italy and a symbol of its ancient history.… Read more

Been There – Brunei

Starbucks Been There – Brunei is a mug for a small yet wealthy nation on the island of Borneo, which has a history deeply tied to its monarchy and Islamic heritage. Known officially as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, it has long been a hub for trade and Islamic culture in Southeast Asia. Today, Brunei is celebrated not only for its oil wealth but also for its cultural traditions, natural wonders, and grand architecture that highlight its unique identity.… Read more

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