Coming Through: Elephant Kinjia Coffee Stampedes into Starbucks; Sixth Black Apron Exclusives Coffee Combines Exotic Flavor and Ingenious Farming Tactics.

SEATTLE -- Today, Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) introduces Elephant Kinjia, an east African coffee as lucky to be here as it is remarkable in flavor.

"Elephants don't intentionally trample coffee plants, but they don't really sidestep them either," laughs Dub Hay, Starbucks senior vice president of Coffee. "The Blackburn Estate, from which we bought this extraordinary coffee, had to come up with a creative solution to make sure people, elephants and coffee can all thrive in the same geographical area."

The Blackburn Estate stands just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the western slopes of Mount Oldeani, an extinct volcano in northern Tanzania. Until recently, indigenous elephants regularly walked through the fertile coffee farm on their way to the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken caldera and an impressive game preserve. Their commute was a disaster for coffee plants. Instead of engaging in an ultimately futile attempt to re-route the elephants, the farmers created a wide, natural trail directly through the middle of the farm, hoping the elephants would choose the trail instead of continuing to trample the coffee plants.

The elephants began to use the "kinjia," or "pathway," almost immediately, and Starbucks sixth Black Apron Exclusives(TM) coffee was able to grow and flourish. Named for this new road, Elephant Kinjia is a coffee with medium to full body and flavor marked with wonderful black currant notes and a chocolaty softness in the finish.

"This region is known for exceptional coffee," continues Hay. "Near the volcanic crater, almost 6,000 feet above sea level, coffee grows in the shade of Albizzia trees, absorbing rainfall, nitrogen from fallen leaves, and minerals from the rich volcanic soil. In these conditions, the coffee develops its bright acidity and an underlying black currant sweetness."

Starbucks continues to award $15,000 for each Black Apron Exclusives(TM) coffee for a project that will improve the lives of the farmers in the community. These projects have made immediate impacts in education, transportation, coffee-processing facilities and the environment. The award for the most recent Black Apron Exclusives coffee, Kigabah Estate, was used for school funding for residents throughout the Waghi Valley in Papua New Guinea.

The Black Apron Exclusives(TM) line of coffee is named for Starbucks most knowledgeable buyers, roasters, tasters and Coffee Masters, who wear a black apron in the tasting rooms and in Starbucks coffeehouses. Since Black Apron Exclusives(TM) coffees hail from very distinct and scarce crops -- making any prediction of availability nearly impossible -- subsequent introductions will be announced shortly before their arrival in select retail stores. Three rare and exclusives coffees will follow Tanzania Elephant Kinjia coffee this year, with the next selection expected to be available July 6, 2005.

Starbucks Elephant Kinjia coffee is available in Company-operated stores throughout North America starting today, May 2, 2005 (1/2 lb price: US $11, CAN $15), and will be available while supplies last.

Starbucks(R) whole bean coffee assortment includes more than 20 single-origin offerings and blends from around the world, including many worldwide exclusive coffees. The "Coffee of the Week" program links brewed coffee to whole bean coffee, providing customers with the opportunity to bring a daily taste home for the weekend. Starbucks Coffee Masters are available in stores to answer coffee questions and help customers navigate the world of coffee.

Starbucks Corporation is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 9,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business. In addition to its retail operations, the Company produces and sells bottled Frappuccino(R) coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot(TM) coffee drink, and a line of superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships. The Company's brand portfolio provides a wide variety of consumer products. Tazo Tea's line of innovative premium teas and Hear Music's exceptional compact discs enhance the Starbucks Experience through best-of-class products.