Why is Starbucks Coffee Different?

I have been asking this question for several years now and have argued the fact with many non-Starbucks addicts that the coffee is different. The caffeine levels have to be through the roof. This came up suddenly as I am working from home today as well as yesterday, therefore I have gone two days without Starbucks coffee and I now have an ever-loving headache.

What is sad, as a daily Starbucks coffee drinker, is that I brew the same exact coffee that I order from the store right here at home. This does not solve the headache problem. I have a visual that the baristas cackle as they dump a shot of liquid caffeine into every cup of coffee before they serve it saying, “she’ll be back”. An even odder coincidence is that purchasing a coffee from a 3rd party “Starbucks” location such as a grocery store or kiosk is not the same either.

So what gives?

I think it is high time for some big scientists to prove the theory, or perhaps we should send the question to Myth Busters, although they would not accept the challenge because it would not involve blowing things up. Or would it?