The arrival of a new season means new seasonally-inspired menu items at Starbucks. This time around, Starbucks is spicing things up with a new fall beverage exclusive to Canada only: the Starbucks Cardamom Latte. To pair with this drink are a few new tasty treats: the Classic Coffee Cake and Maple Pecan Muffin. I recently attended a media tasting of these new Starbucks fall menu items. Here’s a look at what you can expect.
Starbucks Cardamom Latte
Description: The Starbucks Cardamom Latte features Starbucks® signature espresso and steamed milk with cardamom and then topped with cardamom-spiced sugar.
Taste Test: Compared to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Cardamom Latte is less sweet and more spicy. There are some earthy and citrusy notes.
Price: The Vancouver pricing for the Cardamom Latte are as follows: Short ($4.45), Tall ($4.65), Grande ($5.25), and Venti ($5.65). The pricing is the same as the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Nutrition: Not Available
Overall Impression: I liked the Cardamom Latte as it was a nice drink that was not overly rich but would still give you warm fuzzies on a cold autumn day. Like all Starbucks beverages, the Cardamom Latte is customizable – try it over ice, with an extra shot of espresso or with a dairy alternative.
Maple Pecan Muffin
Description: The Starbucks Maple Pecan Muffin has pecans and maple syrup blended throughout.
Taste Test: I thought there was a good amount of pecans in the muffin to give a nice crunchy texture per bite. The maple flavour definitely came through.
Price: The Vancouver pricing for the Maple Pecan Muffin is $2.95.
Nutrition: 440 calories, 23 g of fat and 46 g of carbohydrates
Overall Impression: As a sweeter tasting item, the Maple Pecan Muffin pairs well with a less sweet beverage like the Cardamom Latte.
Classic Coffee Cake
Description: The Starbucks Classic Coffee Cake has cinnamon-sugar blended throughout and is finished with a crunchy streusel topping. It has also taken on a new look with a more traditional square shape.
Taste Test: The highlight for me of the Coffee Cake with the streusel topping which was wonderfully crunchy. I enjoyed the tender, moist texture of the cake overall and the cinnamon flavour.
Price: The Vancouver pricing for the Coffee Cake is $2.95.
Nutrition: 300 calories, 15 g of fat and 43 g of carbohydrates
Overall Impression: Like the Maple Pecan Muffin, the Classic Coffee Cake was sweet. It would go well with a subtly sweet drink.
The Caradmom Latte, Classic Coffee Cake and Maple Pecan Muffin are all worthy of trying on your next visit. For more information, visit starbucks.ca.