Table of Contents
1. Introduction
If you are a coffee connoisseur at Starbucks, at least once in your lifetime, you might have wondered about the wide variety of aprons and their meanings, with the green one topping the list. Well, there’s a lot more to it than we can expect.
Starbucks’ apron has been a part of the company since its inception in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. In addition to being the world’s most popular coffee shop, Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee brand.
Today we will be addressing the top questions that Starbucks coffee connoisseurs encounter when they see a pool of colorful aprons on their visit to Starbucks. So, let’s get started.
2. First of all, why are Starbucks apron green?
Among all the colors, green is the most common which everyone visiting the store must have seen. Starbucks’ apron is green because it is recognized as a sign of friendliness and expertise in more than 75 countries across the world by more than 300,000 baristas who wear one to work every day.
But the meaning doesn’t end there itself. Even the original green aprons might have extra implications. Armed forces veterans can have their service credentials and an American flag embroidered on their aprons. A “military spouse” option is available for those who are married to military personnel or veterans.
An army veteran turned Starbucks senior product manager for Starbucks Technology Services, Tim Bomke started the trend in 2015.
The addition of a mortarboard to an employee’s green apron signifies that the employee has completed the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, a collaboration between Starbucks and Arizona State University (ASU) that pays for the tuition of Starbucks employees enrolled in ASU’s online bachelor’s degree program.
Also, the Starbucks’ nautical logo and the green straws that come in every iced drink are both recognizable symbols of the firm. A finer range of handmade coffees and espressos was launched by the Seattle-based business in 1987.
3. Was the Starbucks apron green from the beginning?
Starbucks aprons weren’t always green, according to their website. They began off with a brown-hued version, similar to their emblem, at their initial shop at Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971.
It wasn’t until 1987 that the smock’s color changed when Starbucks began selling handmade beverages and espresso-based specialty drinks. That’s when the classic and iconic green apron came into the picture.
4. Starbucks apron color meaning
Each Starbucks apron color has an associated meaning and it’s not a random distribution. Just the way, green has its own way as discussed above, the other ones too have some symbols. Let’s take a deeper look at what these colors signify.
5. What does a black Starbucks apron mean?
Be sure to ask any questions you have about coffee if you see a Starbucks employee in a black apron means that they are a Starbucks-certified coffee expert. A barista who earns the moniker “coffee master” has demonstrated a thorough understanding of Starbucks’ line of coffees.
If you call yourself a “coffee master,” it signifies that you’ve got a deep understanding of Starbucks coffee. Coffee professionals can answer all of your burning questions, from the history of Starbucks to how to make the perfect cup of joe.
5.1 How to get the black Starbuck apron?
Any Starbucks barista isn’t given one of their coveted black aprons. Taking on this role comes with a lot of responsibility, and a lot of time spent learning and tasting coffee.
- Coffee baristas need to know how to describe the flavor, roast, acidity, and body of their brews.
- In addition to cultivation methods, varieties, meal pairings, and the impact of temperature on flavor, coffee specialists can provide a wealth of information.
5.2 What have black aprons at Starbucks to do with Japan?
One in every twelve Starbucks Japan baristas is a Coffee Master, and you’ll see them wearing black aprons all around the world. Despite this, the world’s first ‘black apron–only’ Starbucks is only to be seen in Japan.
6. What does the red apron mean at Starbucks?
The first Starbucks holiday cups were introduced in 1997, and red aprons quickly followed. Along with the Christmas Blend coffee, each retailer received two red aprons, which they distributed to their partners (another term for staff, as they are not formally called baristas)
7. What does the yellow apron mean at Starbucks?
In recent weeks, certain Teavana outlets have had baristas in yellow aprons to promote new Teavana teas.
It seems logical that Starbucks is endorsing Teavana tea.
So if you are a fan of any of the tea and you see the Starbuck yellow apron guy, you can head over without a second thought.
8. What does the pale blue apron mean at Starbucks?
In commemoration of the Frappuccino Happy Hour introduction, there were also pale blue aprons. The Starbucks Happy Hour is offered from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on certain Thursdays at participating Starbucks locations.
Frappuccino Half-priced Frappuccinos are available during Happy Hour at Starbucks.
Starbucks initially debuted the Frappuccino Happy Hour in May 2010, to coincide with the launch of the “However-You-Want-It” customized Frappuccino, which was then available only at Starbucks locations.
9. What does the Starbucks Orange apron mean?
Starbucks orange aprons mean the celebration of King’s Day in the Netherlands.
On April 27, the Netherlands celebrates the birth of King Willem-Alexander by giving everyone the day off from work to commemorate the occasion of his birth.
On King’s Day, the Dutch come out in force to commemorate the birth of their monarch. The entire country is illuminated in orange, and everyone is ecstatic. This was the method through which the custom was carried out. So you can safely understand how smart Starbucks is!
10. What does the Purple apron mean at Starbucks?
According to Starbucks, ‘barista champions’ wear purple aprons, which are the rarest of the lot.
The EMEA Barista Championships are where the best baristas from across the world fight for the title of world champion. From Portugal’s Fabio da Silva Neno came out on top in Starbucks’ Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region competitions in 2016.
The contestants will be judged on their ability to make classic beverages like lattes and Americanos, along with the quality and inventiveness of their own original beverage. You will get a feeling of a little like the Cupcake Wars, except with more caffeine involved.
11. Starbucks Apron color: At a glance
Starbucks Green apron meaning | Belong to all, this Classic color |
Starbucks Black apron meaning | Baristas who have completed the Coffee Master program |
Starbucks Red apron meaning | During the holidays, just a few baristas wear red. |
Starbucks Orange apron meaning | The color orange is associated with King's Day in the Netherlands |
Starbucks Yellow apron meaning | Teavana's new teas were introduced |
Starbucks Pale blue apron meaning | In commemoration of the Frappuccino Happy Hour |
Starbucks purple apron meaning | For Barista Champions who have won an international tournament |
Starbucks American flag embroidery apron meaning | Embroidery of the American flag on green aprons indicates that the wearer is a veteran or a military spouse. |
Starbucks Mortarboard embroidery apron meaning | Graduating students who have completed Starbucks' College Achievement Plan are recognized by mortarboard embroidery on their green aprons. |
Starbucks Rainbow apron meaning | Some long-term baristas have a rainbow of aprons in their wardrobe. |
12. Does Starbucks have pockets on its aprons?
Yes, Starbucks has pockets on its aprons, not just green but for all its colors like black, purple, red, yellow, orange. Now one might wonder if pockets are meant to store car keys, small combs, pens, or other important things needed by the barristers. But no, there is another hidden meaning to it.
13. So why are pockets present on Starbucks apron?
New Baristas are given the Starbucks Green Apron Book as part of their on-the-job training.
The book’s diminutive size makes it perfect for tucking into the green apron pocket of a barista’s uniform, making it a handy little reference for any time the barista needs to brush up on the basics of the Starbucks brand and how to interact with customers. Sounds interesting right?
14. How many Aprons do they get at Starbucks?
At Starbucks, Each partner will receive a minimum of two clean aprons upon hiring (free of holes, tears, stains, etc.).
Three aprons will be supplied if the person works more than 20 hours a week.
A total of two aprons will be given to partners who work fewer than 20 hours each week.
Each shift must begin with an apron that is free of stains and wrinkles.
15. Do you get to keep your Starbucks apron?
No, the employees are allowed to keep or take the Starbuck apron back at home. The Starbucks dress code policy clearly states that you can wear the apron while working, but take it off while taking a break, eating, using the toilet, or putting out the garbage.
NOTE: Wearing it folded in half and wrapped around one’s waist is not permitted!
16. Can you wear pins on your Starbucks apron?
Yes, you can wear pins on your Starbucks apron but with some conditions! If you want to wear pins, make sure they don’t interfere with safety or jeopardize customer relations, and make sure they don’t advertise any brands or political ideologies.
The best course of action would be to seek the advice of the store manager in case by chance you might be promoting something against their policies and you might be unaware of it.
17. What pins can you wear on Starbucks apron?
The pins for Starbucks aprons are the Name badges are the only permitted accessory on aprons. As a tribute to graduating students, this series of pins was released in 2017. They were called the Starbucks Tasting Set.
- Starbucks uses these four pins to represent the four coffee qualities: Aroma, Body, Taste, and Acidity.
- A pin that shows your support for a particular labor union or group.
- Starbucks pins that are securely affixed (e.g., for a promotion or special honor) are welcomed.
18. Are Red aprons given to every Starbucks staff member?
Yes, Red Aprons Are given to every staff member. The Starbucks holiday aprons are the Starbucks red aprons. The winter months bring an influx of two or three red Christmas aprons into every store. A red apron is reserved for shift supervisors whereas others let anybody use a red apron based on first-come, first-serve.
A festive apron is all you need for the holidays, no qualification required.
19. Does Starbucks sell its aprons?
Yes, Starbucks sells green aprons only. The Starbucks aprons for sale can be found on various eCommerce sites.
Since green is the most common color among all, they allow it. However, don’t expect the remaining colors and the ones with ornaments.
20. How to wash a Starbucks apron and how often
Each partner is in charge of caring for and laundering their own aprons. Wear the apron while working, but take it off while taking a break, eating, using the toilet, or putting out the garbage as we have discussed. So let’s discuss a few ways for washing Starbucks aprons.
21. Is it possible to wash the Starbucks apron in the machine?
It’s not difficult to clean an apron. For appropriate cleaning, clothes need to be divided by color, fabric, and even texture.
NOTE: Laundry disaster awaits if you use hot water to wash the incorrect colors or a 100% cotton T-shirt.
Server and waist aprons should be machine washed in cold water with similar colors and dried on a low heat setting for aprons. To minimize fading and bleeding, it’s recommended that you wash the item in cold water before using it for the first time.
22. How to remove any dirt on the spot from Starbucks Apron?
Using a spray bottle, add equal amounts of White Vinegar and Water to the mixture. Alternate squirting the culprit and dabbing the stain with a damp towel to remove the dirt. Let the ammonia (1 tablespoon ammonia/1 cup water) dry naturally, then dab it on with a clean, moist cloth.
Washing your Starbucks apron in cold or warm water will extend its lifespan.
Use low heat when drying. Using excessively high temperatures might cause the cloth to shrink and get damaged. Remove and hang promptly to avoid wrinkling.
23. Which are the Starbucks reserve aprons?
A number of the Starbucks reserve aprons are also exclusive to this Starbucks alone location that we are going to mention. The word “Starbucks” is embroidered in sign language on the aprons of Starbucks employees in Malaysia as part of an initiative to promote job possibilities for the Deaf.
24. So, finally, why does Starbucks have different color aprons?
Starbucks has different color aprons as they had stated their goal of becoming resource positive by 2020, which means they intend to give back to the world more than they take.
Because they value professionalism, devotion to getting every moment perfect, and a welcoming environment at the core of our business, they have established a dress code that matches these qualities.
Also, A recent press release from Starbucks explains that the different-colored apron has become a tool to commemorate special events and anniversaries as well as to appreciate the accomplishments of its employees.
25. Conclusion
So next time at the Starbucks, when you visit or even if you pass by, seeing these multi-colored aprons, don’t wonder why! We hope that we have got you covered everything about the Starbucks aprons and the related questions which several people have!
