Frappes from Starbucks: What is in Them?
Starbucks is a renowned cafe chain, iconic for its signature coffees. It is worth noting though, that despite being so closely associated with coffee, most of the frappes served by Starbucks do not actually contain any. So, what is in the frappes that Starbucks serves anyway?
Traditional Frappes
Traditional frappes have their origins in Greece, and are made by blending instant coffee with a generous amount of sugar, milk, and ice. As the recipe calls for instant coffee, these frappes do not take long to make and the same goes for the version that is served at Starbucks. This version of the frappes is somewhat closer to a milkshake than a cup of real coffee.
Frappuccino
In 1995, Starbucks introduced the Frappuccino to the world. This was an entirely different beast – a concoction that was formed after blending a base that contained coffee, milk, and ice with a host of other ingredients. In this case, Starbucks’ Frappuccinos contained coffee, milk, ice, and syrups that could be custom mixed to create various flavors. While, some varieties contained more coffee than others, for the most part, it was a negligible amount.
Frappucino Blended Cream
In 2002, Starbucks raised the bar yet again with the Frappucino Blended Cream. This product was an offspring of the traditional Frappuccino and contained coffee frappé-style syrup, coffee extract, and cream. Unlike the Frappuccino, the Frappucino Blended Cream did contain a good amount of coffee, giving it a very distinct flavor.
Coffee-Free Frappes
Moving on, given that regular Frappuccinos are coffee free, customers were in the market for options. This led to the introduction of the Coffee-Free Frappes. As the name suggests, these are essentially frappuccinos without any coffee. It is essentially a creamy blend of some very interesting flavors that has grown immensely popular over the years.
Java Chip Frappuccino
Another popular frappe is the Java Chip Frappuccino. As the name implies, this also contains coffee, and it is one of the few frappes from Starbucks that does. The coffee base is further blended with dark chocolate chips and sugar. This unique combination of coffee and chocolate results in a particularly bold and flavorful frappe.
Skinny Vanilla Latte Frappuccino Blended Beverage
The Skinny Vanilla Latte Frappuccino Blended Beverage is somewhat like a healthy version of the Java Chip Frappuccino. With this particular frappe, the coffee base is blended with sugar-free vanilla sweetener and reduced fat milk. While it does contain some coffee, it tends to be a less dominant flavor than the other coffee varieties.
S’mores Frappuccino Blended Beverage
The S’mores Frappuccino Blended Beverage was an instant hit when it was introduced to the market. It consists of a coffee frappe base that is blended with rich marshmallow-infused whipped cream, graham cracker crumbles, and a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce. The coffee flavor tends to be quite subtle in this one, so it can generally be considered coffee free.
Conclusion: Do Frappes from Starbucks Have Coffee in Them?
Going by the above, it is safe to assume that the answer to the question is both a yes and a no. Frappes from Starbucks that contain coffee include the Java Chip Frappuccino, the Skinny Vanilla Latte Frappuccino Blended Beverage, and the Frappuccino Blended Cream. The rest are devoid of coffee, making them a great option for those who do not find themselves too keen on coffee flavors.
