Starbucks rolls out energy drinks
By ANDREA JAMES
P-I REPORTER
If a caffeine jolt isn't enough, Starbucks customers will have another option starting Tuesday, when the Seattle coffee chain unveils its "+Energy" products in its U.S. stores.
The new ingredients can be added to any existing Starbucks handmade beverage by saying "plus energy" at the end of one's order. Baristas have been trained in how to mix in +Energy, which contains B-vitamins, guarana and ginseng.
For customers' first experience with +Energy on Tuesday, Starbucks is promoting adding it to the Doubleshot on Ice drink, Baker said. The flavors complement each other, she said. But the energy boost can be added to any hot or cold drink. Starbucks' research and development team, a group of culinary experts, food scientists and product designers, developed the boost. "It's a well-thought out and complementary flavor," Baker said, when asked how the boost would taste mixed in with coffee. The boost costs 50 cents, excluding tax.
Starbucks has more than 11,000 U.S. stores.
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Comments: 7
It doesn't take a "research and development team, a group of culinary experts, food scientists and product designers, (to) developed the boost" Many of these liquid "rush" products are laced (if not LOADED) with niacin. Niacin is sort of a mystery material that appears on the side of your cereal box (it's right down there along with RIBOFLAVIN). And unsuspecting consumers of niacin in super-jolt doses of the stuff can drop dead in an instant. The word "energy" is a great marketing tool. But it's a far cry from "Enriched with Vitamin C". Read the labels ~ and the warnings. Will Starbucks include a disclaimer on this new elixyr? Before you pop the top on your next can of Red Bull....read the label; the tiny, tiny words on the side of the can.
A few years ago, somebody offered me a can of Red Bull when I was thirsty and tired and was hoping for water or Coke. I nearly spat out the first swallow but tried a second. It was so appallingly awful that I never plan to try it again.
They deserve each other.