Starbucks’ coffee isn’t the only menu item to go blonde.
Starting Jan. 9 the coffee giant will offer blonde espresso at all of its U.S. locations, marking the first time that the company has given its consumers a chance to pick the espresso in their cup.
This new espresso, made with beans from Latin America, packs 10 more milligrams of caffeine per shot and has a distinctively crisp, citrus flavor and a creamy texture.
The company said it hopes offering customers a little more choice will make espresso more approachable to new coffee drinkers. This “gateway” espresso will be a permanent fixture on Starbucks’ menu for the same price as Starbucks’ Signature espresso shot.
The company first introduced blonde espresso in Canada before testing it in Austin and Tampa. Starbucks said that it was well-received by customers and its baristas.
Starbucks has worked hard to define itself as a go-to premium coffee destination, especially with its newer Roastery and Reserve Bar locations. Adding blonde espresso allows the company to appeal to consumers who haven’t acquired a taste for strong and bold coffee flavors. Because of this, Starbucks said that it isn’t worried about sales cannibalization.
This product launch comes at a time when Starbucks is faced with increasing competition from coffee companies like Dunkin Donuts, which has increased its number and variety of premium coffee items, and even fast food chains like McDonald’s, which has gained a foothold in the market with its $2 McCafe drinks.
The company also is under pressure to revitalize its U.S. sales growth. In November, Starbucks reset its long-term financial targets, and now expects global same-store sales growth of between 3 percent to 5 percent, down from a prior goal of mid-single digit growth.
