Yesterday, Jeff Sherman and I visited Starbucks in Red Arrow Park to get the "Starbucks Experience" from coffee master and district manager Julie LaFore.

The friendly, knowledgeable LaFore is passionate about coffee, but also about explaning how coffee gets from plant to cup. She walked us through tastings of three different coffees from around the globe and we talked about their various characteristics.

As kids skated on the rink outside, we discussed espresso, the perfect shot, the perfect steamed milk and the differences between caffe macchiato and caffe latte and cappuccino.

To become a coffee master, LaFore had to ace a test that involved identifying 50 or so coffees by smell and taste.

We also got confirmation (conflicting with a report from earlier this week) that a new Starbucks will make its home on the corner of Prospect and North in autumn, sharing a building with Bruegger's Bagels. Additionally, that new Starbucks on Mayfair Road, just north of Center Street -- which will boast a drive-through window -- will open next week. There will be a grand opening celebration on the evening of March 7.

The week of March 10, customers can also get the Starbucks Experience with a series of "Art of Espresso" events. Check the OnMilwaukee.com event calendar closer to the date for complete details.