Starbucks is offering their customers the chance to experience and enjoy springtime flowers in more than just their gardens. The coffee giant unveiled a new Cherry Blossom Frappuccino blended beverage, inspired by the Japanese sakura tradition.
Starbucks explains the drink's connection to Japanese culture in their official press release.
"In Japan, cherry blossoms are the national flower and a symbol of renewal and simplicity. Families, friends and colleagues gather under sakura trees and enjoy picnics and parties under the delicate pink blooms, a tradition that dates back at least a thousand years. It is also time for new beginnings, marking both the coming of spring and the start of a new school year. Sakura festivals around the world honor the return of the cherry blossoms and celebrate Japanese culture."
Both locals and tourists visit sakura trees as the flowers begin to bloom.
The Starbucks beverage is a blend of sweet strawberries and cream with white chocolate sauce and matcha drizzle, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of matcha.
This is the first time ever that the Cherry Blossom Frappuccino has been available in the United States. The brand new flavor was released on March 15 and will be available in participating U.S. stores for a limited time through the first full day of spring on Sunday, March 20.
Like actual cherry blossoms, Starbucks special frappuccino is only briefly in bloom https://t.co/xC2Re57Nku pic.twitter.com/5PmmW3RnpY
— QSR magazine (@QSRmagazine) March 16, 2016
Even though the new flavor sounds absolutely delicious and intriguing, not all Starbucks customers are enjoying the few Frappuccino. Although nobody expected to gobble down any flowers in their drink, they still expressed their disappointment for the very common fruit used -- strawberry. In terms of flavor, customers find it incredibly similar to the normal strawberries and cream frappuccino, which they don't appreciate as they may have expected to sip a new distinctive taste.
My mind still can't wrap around the fact that Starbucks' new Cherry Blossom Frappuccino is actually strawberry flavored... — KF. (@Kaitlosophy) March 16, 2016
Got the cherry blossom frap ;-; just tastes like strawberries and cream boo... pic.twitter.com/yRATkzvnDM
— a (@AriaSaki) March 16, 2016
