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Last time I reviewed Starbucks (for their Vivanno Smoothies) a comment kerfuffle ensued. Well, friends, Starbucks has introduced a new line of "nutritious breakfast options" so strap yourselves in for Sbux Redux.
According to the java junket, "Starbucks will offer six new delicious and satiating breakfast items made with wholesome ingredients that include whole grains, real fruit, and healthy fats from nuts, seeds and Omega-3's to help you start your day the right way."
Hey, awesome! But do they taste any good? Reviews after the jump.
Baked Berry Stella - $1.75
The Baked Berry Stella is the pretty front pastry that Starbucks shoves to center stage to make the rest of the lineup look good. But star shape be damned, the Stella is arguably the worst of the new line, with a dense, dry, bland base and serious dearth of baked berries.
Apple Bran Muffin - $1.75
Remember back in 1991 when everybody started substituting applesauce for oil? This bran muffin tastes like that trend: Moist and apple-y, but missing something vital. That said, it may appeal to to people who can't stomach plain bran but are pining for a fiber boost.
Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar - $1.75
Easily the crown jewel of Starbucks' new offerings, the Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar lives up to that elusive rhyme of delicious and nutritious. Oats, nuts, and seeds bring the salt, dried fruit brings the sweet and sticky honey binds it all together like a good-for-you rice krispie treat.
Multigrain Roll with Spreads - $1.60
The honey-kissed multigrain roll is unremarkable, but its complementary Almond Butter is pure spreadable joy with superfine grain and salty undertones. At $1.60, this combo is a healthy, viable substitute for a bagel and cream cheese.
Power Protein Plate - $4.95
There's not much to critique here: A cage-free hard-boiled egg, cheese, apples, grapes, and a mini Lenders-ish whole-wheat bagel with a small packet of peanut butter. It packs a protein wallop: One-third of your daily requirement. This plate is solid for breakfast or lunch.
Perfect Oatmeal with choice of Dried Fruit, Nut Medley or Brown Sugar - $2.45
A cup is quarter-filled with instant oats, which the barista deluges with boiling water from the tea tap. You then get your choice of accoutrement (listed above) to swirl in. Tasty? Sure. But here's the problem: You can buy a 10-packet box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal for less than $5. Now I'm no math whiz, but I'm pretty sure that comes out to fifty cents per pouch o' instant oats. So why on earth would anyone pay $2.45?
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9-10-2008 @12:29PM RobynT said... thanks for the reviews--that stella was very alluring so i'm glad to hear i should stay away!
i think the only time i've had breakfast at starbucks is when i'm traveling for work--living out of a hotel and on the run. so i'd probably buy the oatmeal in that kind of situation.
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9-10-2008 @12:57PM Michelle said... Does anyone know what the nutritional info is for this stuff? Their website didn't tell me.
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9-10-2008 @1:10PM Bruce said... Does anyone have the nutritional information on these yet? I did not find anything on the Starbucks website.
I tried the Berry Stella a few times, and i thought is was pretty good, but it looks like it is could have a lot of calories or carbs.
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9-10-2008 @5:34PM Elizabeth said... Why yes! I happen to have picked up a brochure on the new items today:
Perfect Oatmeal (oatmeal only):
140 calories, 2.5 g fat, 5 g protein, 4 g fiber
Berry Stella:
280 calories, 9 g fat, 6 g protein, 6 g fiber
Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar:
250 calories, 10 g fat, 5 g protein, 4 g fiber
Multigrain Roll (roll only):
280 calories, 6 g fat, 7 g protein
Apple Bran Muffin:
330 calories, 8 g fat, 7 g protein, 7 g fiber
Power Protein Plate (with peanut butter):
330 calories, 16 g fat, 16 g protein, 5 g fiber
(without peanut butter):
260 calories, 9 g fat, 13 g protein, 4 g fiber
Spinach Feta Wrap
240 calories, 10 g fat, 13 g protein, 7 g fiber
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9-10-2008 @5:36PM Elizabeth said... I might also note that the new bran muffin isn't as tasty as the old one, and also the Banana Chocolate Vivanno has more protein and fewer calories than the Power Protein Plate with peanut butter.
They're also trying to push the Vanilla Latte with Protein, but when I had it earlier in the week, the barista didn't really know what to do with it, and so I got a chunky latte. No good.
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9-10-2008 @5:50PM marquisem said... I was really hoping for more with the oatmeal. Steel cut oats are easy to make, refrigerate well and heat up easily in the microwave. When I do them, I make a week's worth, batch it up and keep a shaker of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and a little sugar in my desk at work. If Starbucks had gone that route, I'd probably spend $2.45 on them occasionally, but not for a packet.
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9-11-2008 @1:00PM Debbie said... Totally disagree with two points of the review - I think the Berry Stella is the best tasting "healthy" option I've seen and the Chewy Fruit and Nut bar was kind of like eating a Rice Krispy treat with too many things in it - ok for a couple of bites, but two sweet and sticky after that.
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10-08-2008 @10:36AM martha said... Check out
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/foods-from-starbucks/9672/2
They show very different numbers for the new oat and fruit bar.
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11-01-2008 @4:27PM Nancy Kershner said... That is a different product. Not the Chewy fruit and Nut bar.
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11-01-2008 @4:28PM Nancy Kershner said... Elizabeth had the correct numbers in a previous post
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11-05-2008 @12:19PM Teresa said... I just tried the Baked Berry Stella and now am searching for a recipe or some info on it which is why I ended up here. I liked it so much that it is now my new favorite at Starbucks. I am not a fan or bland, dry bran muffins but this is very flavorful without a lot of sugary taste. The calories are more than I would like but for a treat it is delicious.
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