Starbucks, the worldwide popular coffee branch is known for its misspelled names on coffee cups and their very special blend of cream that makes their beverages different from normal caffeine. However, have you ever wondered what makes Starbucks Iced Coffee so different from the ones we make at home?
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The cream that this brand mainly uses in iced coffee is cold foam – the foamy, frothy topping that is added on the top. It is made of non-fat milk and half and half cream. There are at least 12 different drinks that make use of cold foam, which has become a major factor in the brand’s popularity. Read on to know more!
What Cream Does Starbucks Use In Iced Coffee?
Starbucks uses several different creams to put in their iced coffee, and the locality where the branch is located has a huge impact on the most popular cream. However, typically they use cold foam that consists of non-fat milk and cream.
According to several Starbucks baristas, the most popular option for cream used for Iced coffee is half and half (Breve). The other creams that follow are heavy whipping cream and sweet cream (vanilla, heavy whip, and a tiny bit of 2% blended together).
Despite being a huge organization, Starbucks sources some of its products locally. For instance, a German Starbucks doesn’t utilize the same supplier as a US Starbucks, so the brand of the dairy products provider will be different in every region.
What Is Starbucks Cold Foam?
The vanilla cold foam is a sweet, foamy, and creamy topping added popularly to Starbucks drinks. Most whipped cream is made using steam or heat, but, this mixture of frothed, cold milk and cream is created sans the heating process and is used in a lot of vanilla-flavored drinks for the brand.
Cold foam is very similar to the steamed froth from milk that is used in lattes. However, you’ll find that its consistency is thicker and it can retain its shape.
Flavored cold foams are created using milk, syrup, and occasionally cream, while the regular cold foam is made with nonfat milk. Regular cold foam, salted caramel cream cold foam, and vanilla cold foam are some of the choices for cold foam. Seasonal cold foams are also available, such as pumpkin cream cold foam.
How To Make Starbucks Cold Foam?
Starbucks uses Vanilla syrup, heavy cream/half and half cream, and 2% milk as the only ingredients in its cold foam.
Although it is made using a unique blender by the brand made especially for these drinks, the froth that makes it so delectable can be made at home and you do not need a sophisticated blender for the same.
Ingredients:
- Frother or Blender
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 percent milk
- Vanilla Syrup
There are many ways to make this special cold foam, but I shall be letting you know about my easy technique that can help you achieve Starbucks iced coffee at home. I use a blender as the coffee brand does the same, though they even have ones especially to make cold foam.
Method:
After getting these supplies at hand, do as per the following instructions.
Step 1: In a glass, take a mixture of 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, 1 tablespoon of Starbucks vanilla syrup, and 1 tablespoon of 2% milk.
Step 2: Put these ingredients combined into a mason jar and then shake them well by hand. You can also use a portable frother, a blender as I have. That is all you will need to do until the froth starts to form.
NOTE: The method and the quantity of cream and sweetener you use are both arbitrary. Cold foam can also be made thick enough as whipped cream, and for that, all you have to do is just add more cream and sweetener. Instead of making the mixture into a whipped topping, the 2% milk reduces it to a foam consistency.
I physically weigh everything out in a glass liquid measuring cup, blend it with my frother right there, and then used the cup’s lip to pour the foam into my beverage. Add more vanilla if you want it to be particularly sweet or add less if you prefer it a little less sweet.
What Does Cold Foam Taste Like?
Cold foam is a lighter, pourable and cold version of whipped cream. Since nonfat milk is used in its production, it is not rich or creamy like other milk toppings. The milk is nonfat and blended using no steam, so cold foam almost has no taste, except the sweet tinge of sweet.
If nonfat milk seems watery to you, flavored cold foam toppings from Starbucks or other sources may be a better choice. This may not be your cup of coffee if you like your coffee extremely creamy – cold foam does not mix well with coffee and tends to float on top of the cup.
Why Does Starbucks Use Cold Foam?
Apart from its perfectly sweet flavor balancing an iced coffee well, cold foam is made using fat-free milk, which is perfect for those who like to watch what they consume.
The topping has only about 40 calories and 5 grams of sugar in a tall Starbucks cup. Additionally, it can even be drunk as a beverage on its own.
Related Questions
- Does Starbucks Use Heavy Cream?
All Starbucks locations sell heavy cream, which can be used to make coffee and tea drinks as well as scones and other baked items.
- Is Heavy Cream The Same As Soft Cream?
There is a difference between the two, and their fat content is the primary distinction. Whipping cream/soft cream both have slightly less fat than heavy cream.
- What Is The Best Milk For Cold Foam?
Nonfat milk is the ideal option to generate cold foam since it has a larger protein content than 2% or full-fat milk, which makes it simpler to froth.
Final Thoughts
Cold foam is froth on top of a beverage, which can be easily made at home using nonfat milk, so if you’re looking to save money, time, and energy, then I must recommend you to try the recipe for the Starbucks sweet cream cold foam at home!
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