This is true, and especially so of Costa. Their coffee is the strongest of the high street chains, Starbucks the weakest. It’s a blend of Arabica and Robusta which should make it taste bittersweet. Unless, as I said below, there’s a problem in the individual branch. Another thing that may alter the taste is if the baristas are extracting the shots before heating the milk. Which they won’t do if you ask.

Just be nice about it, you wouldn’t believe the stores I hear about how horrible Joe Public can be to coffee shop employees.