What role does the Global Coffee Quality (GCQ) team perform related to coffee?

The Global Coffee Quality (GCQ) team is primarily responsible for defining quality standards for coffee at Starbucks. This entails establishing criteria for what constitutes high-quality coffee, ensuring that every cup served meets specific taste and quality benchmarks. By setting these standards, the GCQ team plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of Starbucks' coffee offerings, which is central to the brand's identity and customer satisfaction.

Defining quality standards involves detailed processes such as cupping, sensory evaluation, and the analysis of coffee from various origins. This rigorous approach ensures that customers can consistently expect a certain level of flavor and quality in their beverages, reinforcing Starbucks’ commitment to sourcing and serving exceptional coffee.

While customer service, training baristas, and marketing coffee products are important functions within Starbucks, they do not specifically pertain to the core responsibilities of the GCQ team in regard to coffee quality. The emphasis on quality standards directly supports Starbucks' mission to deliver a premium coffee experience, making this the correct answer.