Does the Flow Frozen Latte Keep Its Layered Texture?

Starbucks launched the Flow Frozen Latte for its delivery service, a drink described as inspired by ginger milk curd that is said to coagulate and layer during the trip to the customer. Reaction after launch has been split: some buyers posted photos showing clear layering and a texture compared to double-skin milk or coffee pudding, while others said their cup arrived looking like any ordinary latte.

The drink is the second entry in the delivery time-space series and is positioned as something that needs time to enjoy. Starbucks also teased a retractable straw shaped like the Golden Cudgel that plays Sun Wukong's voice. Because a latte's milk to coffee ratio usually stays fixed once it is poured, the questions center on whether the layered effect is real or just a gimmick.

Starbucks has been making continuous efforts in collaboration campaigns recently, teasing a retractable straw shaped like the Golden Cudgel that can emit Sun Wukong's voice, while also launching a new drink for its delivery service called Flow Frozen Latte. This creative coffee, claimed to be inspired by ginger milk curd, is said to naturally coagulate and layer during delivery, presenting a distinct layered flavored latte upon arrival. However, consumer reviews after its launch have been mixed: some shared photos showing obvious coagulation and layering, describing the texture as similar to double-skin milk or coffee pudding; others questioned the mismatch between advertising and reality, saying what they received was no different from a regular latte. Is the flow frozen effect real or just a gimmick? Is the new recipe just an old one with a new name? This article will compile netizen test feedback to explore the true nature of this trending beverage.

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Previously, we discussed how Starbucks' collaboration with "Havoc in Heaven" was a big splash with little impact. Although a new menu was launched, the two drinks offered could be custom-combined through the customization service, and with the lack of merchandise, many netizens bluntly said it was an insincere and ineffective collaboration.

However, today, the much-criticized Starbucks finally made a substantive move on collaboration merchandise. The official teaser announced the "Old Sun's Havoc in Heaven Golden Cudgel Straw Set," a retractable straw shaped like the Golden Cudgel that can emit Sun Wukong's voice, full of childlike fun, exciting many "old kids" who love this IP, generating high anticipation before the merchandise even officially goes on sale.

Meanwhile, Starbucks also launched a new delivery product today—Flow Frozen Latte. The official introduction states that this drink is inspired by ginger milk curd, and during delivery, the liquid in the cup gradually coagulates and layers, "transforming" along the way, arriving at the customer's hands in a state with both excellent layers and flavor.

It is understood that Flow Frozen Latte is the second product in the delivery time-space series, positioned as a drink that "needs time to enjoy." Similar to the reaction after the previous tea-coffee launch, netizens who tried this new product gave polarized reviews.

The first thing everyone cares about, of course, is: does the flow frozen texture advertised by Starbucks really exist, or is it just a marketing gimmick? Curious netizens turned into experimental guinea pigs, eagerly opening the packaging after ordering to verify whether the liquid in the cup really showed obvious layering as advertised.

From photos shared by netizens, this drink does indeed show clear layering and a coagulated state. Netizens who have tried it also reported a slightly frozen coagulated texture, "not as hard as jelly, I think it's more like double-skin milk," "the flow frozen isn't a big chunk of jelly texture, but more like bits of jelly," "the texture is very peculiar, a bit like eating coffee pudding."

But another group of consumers believed this drink "doesn't match the advertisement," saying the Flow Frozen Latte they received had neither layering nor coagulation, tasting similar to a regular latte, completely lacking the "magical" experience advertised. In response, some netizens explained that it might be due to higher local temperatures, preventing the flowing latte from successfully coagulating during delivery, hence the absence of the so-called jelly texture.

Among those who did experience the coagulated state, some gave "not worth drinking" reviews. Besides the usual complaints about Starbucks drinks being too sweet, more dissatisfaction centered on the "flow frozen texture" itself.

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Regarding this creative new product from Starbucks, although its appearance is novel and unique, and the taste differs from previous flavored lattes, some netizens pointed out that the recipe of Flow Frozen Latte is quite similar to the previous Mousse Espresso, and could even be seen as a "preserved mustard greens with pork version of Mousse Espresso."

One must say, competition in the coffee industry is fierce nowadays, and chain brands' new product development speed can no longer keep up with the pace of product launches, so they can only update menus through "old wine in new bottles."

Image source: Xiaohongshu

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The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.