Everyone has heard of Starbucks' Frappuccinos.
Sure, you've seen those classic domed lids and green straws or perhaps you drink one
or two a week but what exactly is in this blended beverage?
And what else should you know about it?
We've got your answers.
The concept of the Frappuccino was first born during a very hot California summer, in 1993.
A few managers in an L.A. Starbucks store wanted to try something like the blended coffee
drinks they were seeing at small local coffee shops, so they asked Starbucks headquarters
for permission, and a blender was shipped to their store to begin development trials.
Starbucks launched their full-fledged Frappuccino program in 1995, but the OG Fraps were nothing
like what you can get at Starbucks stores today.
According to Starbucks, the first two flavors were coffee and mocha, and they were made
using Italian Roast coffee brewed at double strength.
There wasn't even any whipped cream!
They've sure come a long way.
The two main ingredients filling up the cup for your Frappuccino are milk and ice, getting
these two ingredients right is crucial when it comes to getting the Frappuccino to have
the right consistency.
You'll automatically be getting whole milk in the cup, unless you ask for an alternative.
If you opt for a milk or milk replacement with less fat, that means your Frappuccino
will be less creamy.
And part of getting that distinctive Frapuccino consistency has to do with the ice added to
these blended concoctions as well, because not adding the right amount can make it too
thick and chunky or too thin and runny.
It's certainly common sense to know that when you get a drink from a coffee shop that's
literally anything other than just drip coffee or an Americano, you're probably going to
be getting some serious sugar.
When it comes to Starbucks, having a Frappuccino adds an outrageous amount of sugar to your
day's intake.
So just how much are you consuming?
Even the smallest size of Caramel Frappuccino, the 12-ounce Tall, is packed with 46 grams
of sugar, while the 16-ounce Grande has 66 grams.
Considering the American Health Association recommends that men consume only 36 grams
of sugar per day, while women should consume 25 grams, a Frappuccino puts you well over
that mark.
Really, even in that little 12-ounce cup of Caramel Frappuccino, you're getting more sugar
than you should consume in an entire day.
Is it worth it?
“Live on air trying the Unicorn Frap.”
“Oh!
I wish I was dead…”
Going through the Starbucks drive-thru doesn't normally take that much time.
After all, that's the whole purpose, right?
Well, be sure to build in a few extra minutes if you're ordering a Frappuccino.
According to one Starbucks employee on Reddit, the goal in the drive-thru is to answer a
customer within 15 seconds of them arriving at the speaker and have their drink out to
them within another 30 to 45 seconds.
But according to that same employee, Frappuccinos slow them down considerably.
Another Starbucks employee on Reddit says that Frappuccinos are often more customized
and they take a bit more precious time to get right.
Maybe you should think of those in line behind you, and opt for going inside?
A regular Starbucks Frappuccino is generally not a healthy option for your daily life.
Sure, they're totally fine once in a while as a treat, but is packing on more than 400
calories for just a Grande something you really want to do every day?
Turns out, there are hacks to reduce the calorie count of your favorite blended drinks.
First, order your Starbucks Frappuccino without whipped cream.
Sure, it's totally not as Instagram-worthy without the domed lid, whipped cream, and
all that drizzle, but it'll save you 80 to 100 calories.
Other options include changing your milk from whole milk to nonfat, asking for sugar-free
syrups, or asking for your drink to be made with less syrup.
Want to really reduce the count significantly?
Ask for your drink "light," and you'll get sugar-free syrup, non-fat milk, and no whip
automatically.
With as big of a household name as Starbucks is, it's no wonder they boast over 20,000
stores around the world.
While Starbucks are blending up the classic Caramel Frappuccino and Mocha Frappuccino
in the U.S. and Canada, there are many unique flavors at Starbucks stores worldwide, catering
to the diversity of international palates.
A spin off on the mocha and caramel classics, Starbucks lovers can order a Mocha Cheesecake
Frappuccino, as well as caramel or blueberry versions in the UK.
In China and Australia there's a Mango Passion Fruit Frappuccino, there's a Mocha Hazelnut
Frappuccino in India, a Pistachio Bon Bon Frappuccino in Malaysia, and a Tiramisu Frapuccino
in Japan.
And while all of these sound ridiculously interesting, the Milk Tea Panna Cotta Frappuccino
found in the Philippines may just be the most fascinating, with black tea powder on top.
Time for an international vacation?
“Attention please.
Passengers Mitchell Pritchet and Cameron Tucker!”
“You’re hearing that, right?”
“Please report to Gate 32 immediately!”
“Are we in trouble?”
“I don't know."
After the booming success Starbucks experienced from the launch of the famed Frappuccino,
they started looking at ways to make it more accessible to everyone.
Who wouldn't want to pick up a Frappuccino from the store on the way home even if there
isn't a Starbucks nearby?
Sounds brilliant, right?
Well, not so fast.
Just a year after they officially launched, Starbucks worked with Pepsi to bottle their
signature beverage in 1996, bringing a ready-to-drink coffee beverage to stores throughout the U.S.
and Canada.
But is the bottled version even close to what you get in a Starbucks coffee shop?
Definitely not.
The bottled Starbucks Frappuccinos come in vanilla, mocha, caramel, and coffee, along
with some light and seasonal options, and they're basically like iced coffee in a glass
bottle.
Why?
Because everyone loves something called a Frappuccino!
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