By johnnie 
If you have suddenly started to suspect that there is something distinct about Starbucks’ renowned iced coffee, it is not merely a product of your imagination.
The restaurant has revealed that it altered its iced coffee mix earlier this year for the first time since 2006—almost two decades ago.
According to a report by TODAY.com, Starbucks officially launched the new mix in stores on May 7. The menu indicates that the revised iced coffee (5 calories) is crafted using a combination of “sun-dried and washed” Latin American beans, resulting in a brew that is “approachable and refreshing with hints of malted milk chocolate and brown-sugar sweetness.”
Starbucks coffee developer Leslie Wolford stated, “The new Iced Coffee Blend is crafted for versatility, offering a delightful experience whether enjoyed independently or tailored to individual preferences.”
Starbucks has modified its iconic iced coffee recipe and now delivers it unsweetened by default. Previously, the iced coffee was automatically infused with Starbucks’ signature syrup.
Perceptive consumers have recognized the alteration and have been conversing about it on social media since the introduction of the new blend. As expected, Starbucks enthusiasts had much to express regarding the new menu item.
Certain consumers, for instance, value that the iced coffee is now presented unsweetened by default. Conversely, some individuals have not found the flavor of the new coffee bean combination very impressive.
“I promptly observed a change during consecutive visits in the first week of May.” A barista acquaintance confirmed the alteration in roast and standard sweetness.
Nevertheless, the new brew possesses a rather ‘soured’ flavor, and I am uncertain as to the reason.”It is dreadful!” one consumer commented on Reddit.
Another observer remarked that the new iced recipe is “flat and bland” and “lacks the chocolatey depth” of its predecessor.
In 2024, the upgrade to the iced coffee recipe is not the sole significant alteration occurring at Starbucks. During the previous spring, the chain introduced new cold drink cup designs that utilize 10 to 20% less plastic, resulting in a reduction of around 13.5 million pounds of plastic from being disposed of in landfills each year.
The chain has announced that CEO Laxman Narasimhan has resigned, and he will be followed by Brian Niccol, the current CEO of Chipotle, on September 9.
Although Starbucks did not disclose the specific rationale for the abrupt CEO transition in the announcement, the alteration follows two successive quarters of unusual sales decreases for the coffee conglomerate.