Got Matcha?; Catch 'Green' Spring Fever as Tazo(R) Green Tea Latte Joins the Menu at Starbucks and Tazo(R) Green Tea Frappuccino(R) blended creme Returns with a Twist of Blackberry

Inspired by green tea matcha used in ancient Japanesetea rituals, Starbucks (Nasdaq:SBUX) will add two new green teabeverages made with real Japanese matcha (ground green tea leaves), toits spring menu -- Tazo(R) Green Tea Latte and Tazo(R) BlackberryGreen Tea Frappuccino(R) blended creme. Green tea has become sopopular that more than 16 million Americans consume approximately 4.5billion cups of green tea per year(1). As the popularity continues togrow, Starbucks is introducing new beverages that capture the spiritof the season and offer customers fresh ways to enjoy the rejuvenatingbenefits of green tea.

"Products with green tea ingredients are considered revitalizingbecause of their natural antioxidants, and their popularity has madethem fashionable at the same time," said Michelle Gass, senior vicepresident of Category Management. "That's why we're excited tointroduce Tazo(R) Green Tea Latte and Tazo(R) Blackberry Green TeaFrappuccino(R) blended creme this spring and provide our customerswith yet another innovative product, of the highest quality."

Tazo(R) Green Tea Latte is a delicious blend of lightly sweetenedmatcha green tea, accented with hints of tropical melon and steamedfresh milk. The Tazo(R) Green Tea Latte is one of the lowest-calorielatte beverages available on Starbucks menu -- and it contains as manyantioxidants as an equivalent amount of orange juice. Tazo(R)Blackberry Green Tea Frappuccino(R) blended beverage is a creamy blendof the finest quality Japanese green tea matcha powder, lively flavorsof real, fresh blackberries and ice, topped off with real whippedcream and a tangy blackberry drizzle.

Starting April 4, Tazo(R) Green Tea Latte and the original Tazo(R)Green Tea Frappuccino(R) blended creme will be regular additions toStarbucks year-round menu, while the Tazo(R) Blackberry Green TeaFrappuccino(R) blended creme will be available through May 16, 2006.

Great Gifts for Any Occasion

Green tea beverages are the perfect way to treat yourself, butdon't forget about the upcoming spring gifting occasions. Starbucks isoffering a wide range of products that will make the perfect gift forany occasion -- Easter, Administrative Professionals Day, Teacher'sAppreciation and Mother's Day are right around the corner. The LoveBirds Starbucks Card and Nest Carrier are the perfect way to brightensomeone's day this spring and the Coffee Break Gift Pack ($24.95U.S./$34.95 CAN) is the ideal spring gift for moms, teachers and othercoffee lovers.

Music to Your Ears

No matter what the occasion, music is always the perfect gift."Words Came Back to Me" is the debut album from seventeen-year-oldsinger, guitarist and songwriter Sonya Kitchell, a co-release byVelour Music Group and Starbucks Hear Music. The album represents adazzling debut by a remarkable young artist, blending pop, jazz, folkand blues into a thing of soulful beauty. This new collection isavailable simultaneously at Starbucks Company-operated locations inthe U.S. and Canada and at traditional music retail outlets.

Starbucks Coffee Company

Through the dedication of our passionate partners (employees),Starbucks Coffee Company has transformed the way people in 37countries enjoy their coffee, one cup at a time. Starbucks is thepremier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, with more than11,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, theMiddle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offeringits customers the highest quality coffee and human connection throughthe Starbucks Experience, while striving to improve the social,environmental and economic well being of its partners, coffee farmers,countries of coffee origin, and the communities which it serves.Through Ethos Water, Starbucks demonstrates its long history ofintegrating a social conscience into all aspects of its business. TheCompany surprises and delights its customers by producing and sellingbottled Starbucks Frappuccino(R) coffee drinks, StarbucksDoubleShot(R) espresso drink and Starbucks(R) superpremium ice creamsthrough its joint venture partnerships, and Starbucks(TM) Coffee andCream Liqueurs through a marketing and distribution agreement, inother convenient locations outside its retail operations. TheCompany's brand portfolio includes superpremium Tazo(R) teas,Starbucks Hear Music(TM) compact discs, Seattle's Best Coffee andTorrefazione Italia. These brands' unique and innovative personalitiesallow Starbucks to appeal to a broad consumer base.

(1)According to the Tea Association of the U.S.A, 2006