Frappuccino

Frappuccino is a trademarked brand of the Starbucks Corporation, which sells a line of iced, blended coffee drinks. It consists of coffee or other base ingredient, blended with ice and other various ingredients, usually topped with whipped cream and sauces.

History

The term "Frappuccino" was first used by the George Howell Coffee Company of Boston to describe a blended coffee beverage they developed. In 1994, Starbucks purchased The Coffee Connection, acquiring the rights to use, make, market, and sell the "Frappuccino" beverage. The drink, with a different recipe, was introduced under the Starbucks name in 1995 and as of 2012, Starbucks had annual Frappuccinos sales of over $2 billion.

Ingredients and Varieties

The Frappuccino is made from a base of coffee or cream, blended with ice and other ingredients such as milk, sugar, and flavorings. The drink is usually topped with whipped cream and a flavored sauce. There are numerous varieties of Frappuccino that can be found in Starbucks stores, with flavors ranging from the traditional, such as Mocha and Vanilla, to seasonal or region-specific flavors, such as Pumpkin Spice and Sakura.

Starbucks also sells bottled versions of Frappuccino in grocery stores, convenience stores and vending machines. These ready-to-drink versions are made with a base of coffee and milk, without the ice and whipped cream found in the in-store version.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite its popularity, the Frappuccino has been criticized for its high sugar content. Some versions of the drink contain more than the recommended daily amount of sugar. In response to these criticisms, Starbucks has introduced "light" versions of some Frappuccino flavors, which contain less sugar and fewer calories.

See Also

• Coffee
• Starbucks
• Iced Coffee
• George Howell Coffee