Starbucks is always releasing new drinks, pastries, and products. This late winter launch brings new Dubai Chocolate and Yuzu desserts for a variety of worldly flavors. The question is, are these six new pastries worth the money? Here is my review and ranking of the six new Starbucks offerings.
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
6. Cookie Croissant Swirl
I’m not sure what Starbucks was inspired by when they created this croissant. I initially thought that they were trying to copy the cookie-dough croissant trend, but this croissant is nothing like that.
It is a dry croissant topped with even more dry streusel and chocolate cookie pieces. I guess it’s a cookies and cream vibe, minus all of the cream. I’d definitely skip this one.
5. Dubai Chocolate Bite
First of all, this bite-sized treat appears to be advertised as two bites, but only comes with one bite! The price reflects this marginally. Once you get over the false-advertising of it all, the bite itself is not much tastier.
The outside is meant to be a crisp chocolate shortbread, but it reads more like a dry brownie. The inside is good, filled with a crunchy kataifi pistachio cream. However, I just wish there was more filling, since it’s undoubtedly the best part. It’s a weak addition to the Dubai chocolate trend that has been flooding our feeds.
4. Strawberry Matcha Loaf
Real matcha and real strawberries swirl together in this visually stunning pink and green loaf topped with a strawberry icing. It’s beautiful and giving Wicked, but unfortunately, the flavors miss the mark. All I can taste is strawberry with just a hint of earthiness coming from the matcha. The icing is way too sweet, and this loaf is more of a sugar bomb.
Find out more about Starbucks’ seasonal drinks here.
3. Chocolate Pistachio Loaf
The bronze medal goes to the chocolate pistachio loaf. Though it may seem unassuming, it’s rich and not too sweet. The whole and crushed pistachios on top are a great addition to the overall texture. If you’re a chocolate fanatic, this loaf will pair perfectly with a mocha. Skip the whipped cream, this time. It’s all about the chocolate.
2. Yuzu Citrus Blossom
My second favorite on the menu is the new Yuzu Citrus Blossom. Almost directly replacing the Apple Croissant (I mean, c’mon. It’s the same shape), this light treat showcases a tangy, refreshing yuzu citrus cream and candied yuzu pieces all in an airy croissant.
If you’re like me and you were wondering what yuzu even is, turns out it’s just another citrus fruit. Not quite as acidic as a lemon, but not as sweet as an orange. It is almost floral.
I find the cream filling to be more of a custard, which is super delicious. This would pair well with an iced green tea, lightly sweetened, to let the croissant shine.
Check out these Starbucks Christmas drink reviews!
1. Berry Blondie
Coming in at number one is the Berry Blondie. A soft, chewy blondie with a light swirl of raspberry and blueberry jam and a sprinkling of white chocolate pieces throughout, this pastry is the most worth it on the new menu.
It is perfectly sweet and not as heavy as the Double Chocolate Brownie, which I find just too fudgy to finish. It’s reminiscent of the winter seasonal Sugar Plum Danish due to its light and berry-featuring flavors, but with a totally different mouthfeel.
I would recommend pairing this with a blonde roast or a blonde vanilla latte. I like to get my latte half sweet, to let the pastry’s sweetness take center stage.
