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There are few corporations as polarizing as Starbucks. Even on this blog, it is the rare Slashbucks post that doesn't incite a ruthless comments war. Yet there is no denying that Starbucks is a fast food force and their products deserve coverage like everybody else, so simmer.
Today Starbucks is introducing yet another beverage to their liquid arsenal. Though frozen and blended, the new Vivanno isn't another tired variation on the -ccino theme. Nope, this is Starbucks' answer to Jamba Juice: A protein-packed smoothie.
Here's the scoop:
- One whole - real! - banana (seriously! it will be peeled and pulsed before your very eyes!)
- Whey protein (16 grams) and fiber powder (5 grams)
- Choice of milk (default is 2%)
- Ice
- Secret Starbucks-Proprietary Orange-Mango Naked Juice
- Portion controlled (default is Grande, and always has less than 270 calories)
Orange Mango Banana Blend (250 calories, 16g protein, 5g fiber, 2g fat)
The banana blended nicely with the marquee juice, but the rather runny smoothie had that familiar tinny aftertaste which has long burdened whey protein powder. For regular smoothie drinkers, the flavor oughtn't faze, but I imagine regular smoothie drinkers will continue heading to Jamba where they have more options.
Orange Mango Banana Blend with Matcha Green Tea powder (250 calories, 16g protein, 5g fiber, 2g fat, 45% daily value of Vitamin C)
See above. Add Starbucks' Matcha Green Tea powder (as made famous in their Green Tea Frappuccino). Surprisingly, the matcha's earthiness adds a degree of thickness while killing the aforementioned tinny aftertaste, making this one an improvement on the original.
Banana Chocolate Blend (270 calories, 21g protein, 6g fiber, 5g fat)
Despite its inclusion of the oft-troublesome whey protein, this smoothie is dangerously drinkable. It goes down like a lightweight banana chocolate shake, with no plague of powder. If this is protein, sign me up!
Banana Chocolate Blend with shot of espresso (270 calories, 21g protein, 6g fiber, 5g fat)
See above. Add a shot of Starbucks espresso. Unlike the ill-conceived Banana Chocolate Frappuccino of summer 2006, the solo shot blends seamlessly into an already stellar smoothie, making this drink nutritious, delicious and caffeinated. Score!
All in all, I'm actually impressed. Have you tried the Vivanno? What do you think?
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7-17-2008 @3:04PM Brianne18 said... I tried the orange mango banana yesterday and i hought i was alright it had a wierd after taste that i think was from the whey protein-distinct taste either u lyk it or u dont- and the mango.....the after taste reminded me of those disgusting tasting orange chewable tablets i took as a kid for something wen i was sick. all in all i dont think it was worth the $4 i paid for it. Though if i go to starbucks n they hav free samples i would lyk to try the chocolate banana.
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7-17-2008 @2:33PM SixthRomeo said... From reading all the posts, so far, I would say the results are in. Overall people like the new drinks. Overall people don't wish non-Starbucks customers to post in Starbucks commentaries. Overall people think, "To each his own."
We all, still, need to remember: Starbucks' popularity prompted McDonalds to make a better coffee. The President and CEO of McDonalds appeared in a news teleconference and SPECIFICALLY said they would improve their coffee to get some of Starbucks business. Duncan Donuts' adverstising for iced lattes and hot lattes compared themselves to Starbucks. But hey! Most Starbucks are not open as early or as late as a Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds. Starbucks doesn't sell freshly made donuts, and to tell the truth many people like Dunkin Donuts, buy their product and bring them into Starbucks stores to eat while they drink Starbucks coffee. How many Dunkin Donuts have WiFi?(now Starbucks has 2 free hours with drink purchase) How many McDonalds have WiFi? How many students would rather buy Starbucks, socialize and study there as opposed to McDonalds or Dunkin Donuts? Lets face the niche and I think the overall responses support niche necessity.
The new drinks are decent, tried their samples but I am not a sugar drink kind of person. There are so many "dairy queen" type drinks purchased at Starbucks that I believe one or two of these new flavors will be a major success. They will also serve in the absence of Jamba, which again, is a rare site in the vast majority of the contiguous States.
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7-17-2008 @3:11PM jawime said... If you are a type 1 or type 2 diabetic, these goodies are goin to kill you
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7-17-2008 @3:25PM Jim C said... Does anyone know if any of these flavors are Gluten Free? Thank you.
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7-17-2008 @3:57PM victorcrowns said... pretty hilarious video about vivannos...this guy's obviously a fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajXKguvJKA
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7-17-2008 @3:58PM lisa said... i tried the banana chocolate... and i wanted my money back. it was horrible. my friend had the orange mango peach and it was tasteless... she got her money back, also. maybe it's that particular starbucks (cap hill holiday inn)... but i will stick with my tall, double-blend vanilla bean frappacino with caramel topping. thank you.
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7-17-2008 @7:58PM Gina said... I am definetly a Starbucks freak!!! But seriously, it has gotten so overpriced. I have turned to the Ice Coffee with the sweetener syrup and I ask for a lil room to put half and half in it. It is so frickin good and only like $2.65 for a Venti. The other drinks are so good but way to much for a 5 min. coffee fix.
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7-17-2008 @8:12PM garygwright said... What are the carbs..some of us have diabetes
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7-17-2008 @8:25PM Cyn said... I tried the banana/chocolate today and thought it was delicious - like a shake, but (hopefully) healthier. My daughter tried the orange/mango/banana with green tea and found it yummy. We would definitely have them again! A nice option for meals or snacks, or for days that I don't feel like coffee.
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7-17-2008 @8:33PM lola harlow said... Ok off course everyone is aruging over which tastes better- jamba juice, star bucks or dunkin donuts- my main concern is how much sugar goes into these drinks at these locations. maybe jamba taste better (along w/ smoothie king) because they are loaded w/ sugar. sure its got alot of protein and fiber, but w/ the sugar content you might as well have a 32 oz soda! YUCK!
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7-17-2008 @8:35PM Jady said... I tried a 'free sample' of the chocolate-banana the other night... the consistency was a bit weird, although the flavor wasn't horribly offensive.
The whey protein wasn't mentioned, though, it was just touted as a "Chocolate Banana Healthy Drink".
I am allergic to whey, thankfully not severely, but that is a very common allergy, and it should be more well-documented by the employees.
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7-17-2008 @8:36PM keka said... i am a barista as well and i'm in ohio. we get fresh frozen whole bananas that are peeled before they hit the store. we don't scoop them either. when we make the drinks, the whole banana gets blended...i guess it depends on what state, city, and district you're in. also, starbucks is not trying to be like any other place (jamba). these drinks are just something cool to offer to customers for the summer. we sell close to 100 everyday, so someone thinks they are good! and that's all that matters. we can't please the world. people are always going to have something negative to say about starbucks!
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7-17-2008 @8:36PM lola harlow said... Remember sugar turns into fat and fat turns into extra lard on your stomach. stay away from these sugar drinks.
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7-19-2008 @9:26PM agran said... I think that they are really nasty! I'm sorry but Jamba Juice is such a better option! There is nothing better than Jamba's 3G Boost that gives you a much better energy kick plus you get your 5 servings of fruit. I think Starbucks should stick to coffee, as nasty as they are for even coffee, I'd much rather go for Peet's... oh but wait, didn't Starbucks steal the coffee idea from Peet's? Yes, I believe they did!
Oh and by the way, Jamba even has great breakfast items with granola, that you can blend your green caffeine for free in, so if you are going to spend that much for coffee, why not just go get breakfast!
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7-17-2008 @9:30PM Lauren said... In response to #10, I also work at Starbucks and everyday we get four boxes of fresh Chiquita bananas and we peel them everyday. Why isn't your store following the informational video we were shown a week before the drinks came out?
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7-17-2008 @9:38PM Mari said... Well I personally love the new orange mango banana! I substitted the milk for strawberries and they even have little packets of energy that you can ask them to add to your drink AWEOME!! Especially since I'm studying and need the added energy. It tasted awesome, kept me full and gave me the energy I needed. I didn't feel heavy because it was healthy! By the way they use real bananas, I saw how the drink was made an it's real bananas. I don't mind the price because stabuks delivers the best!!
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7-17-2008 @9:37PM Val said... I had a Choc Banana Vivanna today. No taste. Very bland. Almost tasted the banana, but little if any choc. Drink was not cold and a bit watery. I'll stick with the Frappacinos.
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7-17-2008 @9:57PM Lop5Mar said... Let's be real, I went to Tastee Donuts, coffee was very good, but when I looked around me everyone was over 55 and some with dementia, is that real or what?
I love Starbucks, cannot afford to go as often as I would like to. I find the stores to be classy, up to date, good pastry, good music, internet, COME ON PEOPLE, LIVE & LET DIE!
Miachance
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7-17-2008 @10:02PM nightengale said... I like the coffee I get in the casino i go to...it features starbuck coffee and u can get any of their coffees blended...delicious
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7-17-2008 @11:35PM KF said... I'm glad to know about this. I have to meet a partner for coffee periodically and to talk shop over dinner and there is never anything protein-based to eat or drink, really, unless you count the milk in a latte. I will, without question, have a protein shake. Tinny or not, it's has nutritional value, whereas the other options arguably only offer milk as the nutrient. This is a win-win for me. I hope they don't suck.
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