Taste Test: Starbuck's Vivanno
What do you do when you want to realign a multi-billion dollar coffee empire so that each store has a better coffee experience? Introduce a smoothie. That's right, a smoothie. Starbuck's CEO Howard Schultz won't call it a smoothie, claiming it's "so much more than a smoothie". Enter "Vivanno".
The healthier cousin of the Frappuccino, Vivanno, was launched today and it's pretty good. Not the great savior Schultz has been talking about. The Vivanno is a blended mixture of one banana, milk, whey protein, fiber powder, and an optional shot of espresso. It comes in orange mango banana (includes Naked juice) and chocolate banana flavors. I opted for the chocolate banana and espresso shot. Again, I'm not sure why they don't call it a smoothie. I guess it's the same reason Subaru doesn't call the Forrester a "station wagon"--marketing. I'm not sure if this happens with all new menu items, but the baristas had no idea how to A) ring it up and B) make it. Not a great sign, but I was probably only the second person in Seattle to order one.
The Vivanno has two things going for it. One, it doesn't have that gritty texture you sometimes get with smoothies that contain healthy powders, and two, it means bananas can be added to Frappuccinos. Don't get me wrong, the Vivanno is a decent drink--it's just not very Starbucksian. It's not like you can't get the same thing at Emerald Smoothie or Jamba Juice. The Frappuccino is classic Starbucks and two years ago you could get fresh banana with that drink. The banana option lasted only a couple months and I've been craving it ever since.
The bottom line is that Starbuck's now has a decent smoothie. With the powders and the espresso, it has a nice kick without sacrificing flavor and I'd probably order it again.
--Spanno
victorcrowns on July 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
this guy is clearly a vivanno fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajXKguvJKA
victorcrowns on July 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
this guy is clearly a vivanno fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajXKguvJKA
victorcrowns on July 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
this guy is clearly a vivanno fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajXKguvJKA
victorcrowns on July 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
this guy is clearly a vivanno fan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oajXKguvJKA