On a Muggy Day, Have a Buggy Drink!

The Starbucks Strawberry frappucino has a little ingredient that we didn’t know about. According to a YAHOO! Article, the drink has a certain little friend that gives the drink its coloring. The Cochineal insect lives primarily in Mexico and South America and when crushed up, releases an extract bright rosy pink coloring.

Starbucks has always had a reputation for going green by using recycled cups and other items. The insect coloring is just another way to reduce artificial ingredients in its products.

While most of us read this and thought, “I am never going to drink bug juice”, the insect is actually used in many other products such as meats, jams, cookies, cheddar cheese, alcoholic drinks and many others.

The YAHOO! Article goes on to say that the Cochineal insect has been used as dye since the 15^th century. So, we’ve consumed the insect many times, Starbucks was just a little more open about it. At least this isn’t as bad as the Cicada Ice Cream that being sold in an ice cream parlor in Columbia, Missouri.

I give props though to Starbucks for thinking out of the box and trying to be even more helpful with the earth and health of its consumers. However, for the vegan community, this is still off the menu. So, when the St. Louis humidity and heat comes around, will you be enjoying a Strawberry Frappucino?

Written by: Taylor Kincaid