Starbucks Coffee Company
Coffee shop · Westover ·
Signature roasts, light bites, and new Blonde Espresso
Signature roasts, light bites, and new Blonde Espresso
"After a California Superior Court ruled under Proposition 65, this company — which chose to continue fighting the 2010 lawsuit rather than settle — has been ordered to include warnings informing customers that acrylamide, a chemical produced during roasting and listed as a carcinogen, is present in its coffee and related baked goods; the required label explains acrylamide is not added but results from cooking. The decision could be appealed but is viewed as unlikely to be reversed, and advocates hope it will prompt reductions in acrylamide even as industry groups and some researchers argue typical levels are harmless and federal agencies continue to study the issue." - Daniela Galarza
"The Crystal Ball Frappuccino is a peaches-and-cream, crème-based limited‑time beverage topped with whipped cream, turquoise sprinkles, and one of three candy garnishes—green for good luck, blue for adventure, and purple for “magic.” Images and leaked build instructions circulated on Instagram ahead of a last‑minute confirmation from the company, positioning the drink as a viral, novelty follow-up to last year’s Unicorn Frappuccino (which sparked coast‑to‑coast barista meltdowns). It runs as a four‑day release through March 26 and was praised for leaning into a mystical concept, capitalizing on a peach trend, and timing its spring launch, but was critiqued for failing to resemble an actual crystal ball, relying on white chocolate, and evoking past novelty misfires (from holiday‑themed Frapps to memories of Crystal Pepsi). Eater gave it a middling Ridiculous Novelty Beverage rating of 5.7, reflecting both its playful appeal and its visual and flavor shortcomings." - Greg Morabito
"The global coffee chain introduced a 'blonde espresso' to menus in January (building on a blonde roast added in 2012) as a lighter-roast alternative aimed at specialty-minded drinkers, but a personal taste test found the blonde shot short, thin and bitter rather than complex or revolutionary. Over decades the brand turned coffee into an accessible, commoditized product—popularizing easy-to-drink, often sweet beverages like the caramel macchiato and viral items such as the Unicorn Frappuccino—while incrementally courting third-wave trends with moves like Reserve counters (started in 2015), the flat white, and in-store Reserve bars. These Reserve spaces, with expensive espresso gear, pour-over rigs and a lone skilled barista, often feel like a veneer of high-end craft (for example, a hidden Reserve area serving a $5 Guatemala brewed on a Clover machine next to the main store’s button-operated drinks), signaling prestige more than a full commitment to specialty expertise. The overall strategy reads as creating simulacra of specialty coffee to capture customers who want to seem discerning without paying for or entering the rarified world of true craft coffee." - Cale Weissman
"For the first time since 1975 the company introduced a new everyday core espresso blend, Blonde Espresso, developed over several years by coffee experts Cameron Butcher and Sergio Alvarez. Built from ethically sourced arabica beans (amounting to roughly 3% of global coffee production), the blend was created by experimenting with a different roast profile and roasting curve to yield a citrusy, subtly sweet, smooth and balanced flavor that contrasts with the roaster’s richer, chocolatey signature espresso—an approach the developers compare to choosing a smooth pale ale over a stout. The process emphasized careful temperature manipulation during roasting, the chemical reactions that create aromatic nuances, and rigorous sensory evaluation in the cupping room (the team cups hundreds of samples daily) before the blend is approved to appear in local stores. The developers say the release reflects a deliberate, quality-focused effort and they’re excited to see customers trying and enjoying the new everyday espresso." - Vox Creative
"After more than 40 years the brand introduced a new core espresso blend called Blonde Espresso, which is subtly sweet, citrusy, and extra-smooth thanks to a new roast profile, contrasting with the signature espresso’s nutty, chocolatey, caramel-sweet character. Two easy ways to enjoy the Blonde Espresso are as a Flat White—shots topped with steamed milk that’s folded to create velvety foam and finished with the classic white dot, ideal for sitting and savoring—and as an Iced Americano—shots topped with water and served over ice for a smooth, refreshing, on-the-go option. Both beverages (and any other drink on the menu) can be customized hot or iced and with or without milk." - Vox Creative
