What is it?
Starbucks recently debuted these straws – but unlike the Frappucino Cookie Straw of 2015, these are not entirely edible. The Caramel Brulee (made for iced coffee) and Pineapple (made for iced tea) are paper straws with the bottoms dipped in a hard candy-like shell.
How is it?
Well, folks, this is a lesson in asking questions and not making assumptions. I assumed that the flavored end of the straw would go inside the drink to add a little something special. Well, after checking with my friendly barista, I learned it actually goes OUTSIDE the drink – as in, you drink through the candy end. That way, you get the flavor right at your lips as you sip the drink.
I favored the Pineapple over the Caramel Brulee. While the Caramel Brulee was good, it didn’t add to my coffee experience and was slightly artificial in taste. The candy itself tasted like a Werther’s Original hard candy that your grandpa used to slip in your pocket.
Pineapple had just the right amount of sweetness to flavor my iced green tea and had a more natural taste. The Pineapple also gets bonus points for the adorable pineapple design on the straw itself.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Be aware that you might have to bite or suck some of the candy to get your beverage through the straw. The hard candy may cover the opening when you first open the package. And if you want to enjoy the whole straw, you’ll have to work your way down it as you drink.
Conclusion:
These are a fun concept, but now that I’ve used them once, I probably won’t again. There’s something about walking into my office with my coffee and a candy straw that doesn’t seem right in corporate America! But if you’re up for fun, I say go for it.
Purchased Price: $1.75 each (Although when I purchased, they were running a Buy One Get One Free deal, so I got both for $1.75)
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Caramel Brulee)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Pineapple)
Nutrition Facts: Caramel Brulee – 20 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugars, and 0 grams of protein. Pineapple – 20 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugars, and 0 grams of protein..
It seems to be a wasteful concept. There are better alternatives out there. Twizzlers is already a straw built in and using different candies that can be used as a straw.
I’m a knob. I thought these were supposed to go into the drink to flavour it. ????
doh, now that I actually read the review, I’m glad it wasn’t just me. That’s what’s I get for posting prematurely. I need an edit button!
It doesn’t make any sense for it to used outside the drink, 90% of the candy isn’t even going to be tasted/used that way…
You used the products upside down. :/
I just followed how the Starbucks baristas told me to use it – they are the experts!
Of course Starbucks wants the coated section to go on top and not into the drink: on top, you taste it; if put into the drink, it simply gets into the drink and its flavor gets buried there.
Completely tone deaf product giving the growing concern about use of plastic – even if this straw was made of paper or edible, its covered in a single use plastic wrapper. foolish
Starbucks before you get rid of the caramel Brunel straw put the in ice tea and put them in upside down so the candied flavor dissolves in the tea . It sweets it and it taste like caramel tea and is really good . Please contact me.