PEAS & QUEUES
New Starbucks brew packs veggie protein
Starbucks is hoping you take your coffee with peas and brown rice.
The coffee giant launched plant-based Protein Blended Cold Brew Tuesday, and it’s made with protein powder from those two savory health foods.
The strange new sips come in two flavors: almond and cacao. Score them across the U.S. while supplies last for about $5.95 for a Grande (medium) size depending on where you buy.
One downtown Manhattan location priced the Grandes at $6.25. Don’t worry, you can’t detect the pea flavor in the blends, but you do get the slightly chalky taste that often plagues protein powder shakes.
Those opting for the cacao flavor will get a blend of Starbucks cold brew, coconut milk, the pea and brown rice protein powder, cacao powder, a banana-date fruit blend and ice.
The almond variety is made by blending cold brew with almond milk, the plantbased protein mix, almond butter, a banana-date fruit blend and ice.
Both options of the nondairy drinks, in the Grande size, are 270 calories or less. “This beverage is inspired by our customers’ love for Starbucks Cold Brew and a growing interest in plant-based proteins,” Starbucks stated on its web site. “Starbucks Cold Brew continues to be a favorite since joining the cold coffee menu in 2015.”
Not everyone is ap-peased by the new plant-based blend.
“Gee, sounds delicious: NOT!” someone who goes by Be Gibson tweeted.
And Twitter user dominicdarby posted, “@starbucks may have reached peak hipster,” adding hashtags for terms like “cold brew,” “nondairy,” and plantbased.”
But veggie-friendly Starbucks fans were on board. “Vegan Plant Based Protein Cold Brew ..... is this heaven? @Starbucks ??? I think so!!” Jon Nelson tweeted.
The Seattle-born coffee company is known for its experimental beverages. Past kooky concoctions include the Unicorn Frappuccino, a pink-and-blue blend of mango and cream syrups meant to transform from sweet and fruity flavors to sour ones as you sip.
Topped with “pink and blue fairy powders,” it debuted in April 2017.
It was an instant Instagram hit, but was also widely mocked.