A few districts of stores in Arizona and also on the East coast are the site of the latest Starbucks food test: It’s called the “mini” test. Small-sized food items at a small price. And look at these photos! They look amazingly delicious! I really want to try those cupcakes right this very minute. This test began just two days ago on October 5, 2010, and I don’t know how long it is scheduled to last. I have been told that one item is usually price around $1.50 and some items are two for $2.50. In addition, I have heard that the calorie count of each item is below 200 calories.
This is one of those blog posts that is all about the pictures. I have not tried these little treats and I wish I had a reason to travel to Arizona! I have very little information about the test on the East coast but I am told that a few stores have the same “mini” treat test. I am always fascinated by the many items “tested” by Starbucks, many of which never launch nationally. Some of you may recall that my very first blog post was on the Honey Vanilla Vivanno which failed to launch nationally having been tested in Sacramento, California. It was delicious too!
If you like reading about test products, check out the link below for more blog posts at StarbucksMelody.com on tests at Starbucks:
If anyone here is familiar with this test and can add more information about it, or can comment on the quality of the little treats please weigh in! And as always, your comments are welcome!
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totally off-topic, but the houghton store has bearista in that appear to be dressed for halloween as purple squirrels… 😛
Ooo they look so delicious! I hope I manage to stumble across them on my travels!
I have some pictures if you’d like to share(posted on MSI). I LOVE LOVE LOVE this test! If you buy 5, then you get the 6th free by the way. There are 15 different mini treats. I can post them all if you’d like. =)
Wow, how cool! Those look so fancy and I bet they are all really goooood! I really like the way the items are displayed in the pastry case. I’ve always thought that our pastry cases look sterile and not enticing, but this kind of display is just perfect!
Wow! I’m guessing that by AZ they are in the Phoenix area? I live in AZ and I had absolutely no idea they were testing these, I was in Starbucks 10/5 and yesterday and I didn’t see these.
They do look yummy! And I loved the idea of mini treats, when I saw it on MSI…some of the pastries they have are just too rich or calorie laden to justify having the whole thing.
Delicious post, Melody! Anyone know where the test stores are?
I love this idea! Smaller portion sizes ROCK. I’m so excited Starbucks is embracing this! :)))
They look absolutely delicious! If they’re a hit, will they be sold nationally? Or just become a regular on the menu there? Love the pictures, Melody 🙂
I wish I could grab one of these minis on my way to work this morning! Sadly, I don’t think Tucson gets included in AZ test market areas. I hope Starbucks will start to include Tucson in the AZ testing, in the future!! 🙂
Good morning Kaori – Sorry only time for a quick reply. They DO look amazingly delicious. I assume that one of those is a marshmallow on a stick. I would love that. But as to launching nationally, who knows. Your guess is as good as mine. I am amazed at how many things get tested but never launch. About a year ago (hard to say exactly when) Starbucks tests blueberry pancakes in Denver. The test came and went and never launched. There are just tons of examples of that kind of thing, though out the history of Starbucks. Nonetheless, I’m fascinated by tests so I keep blogging about them every chance I get!
This is a great idea…seems like a simple simple no-brainer, I don’t even know why it has to be a ‘test’! I hope it’s a success and goes nation-wide,at least! I feel sure this would be a hit. (probably more like the actual sizes of pastries of my childhood!)
Thanx for the post Melody! I needed am immediate distraction from msi 🙁
All I’m saying is if those were in my store it would be the freshman 15 all over again. They look so good. I think they will sell off the shelf and out of the case fast. I do wonder though if they are testing them to see what it does to other sales. I know if my choices were that or lemon loaf that lemon loaf would go stale.
I also wonder what one of these guys does for drinks. I would be more apt to get an Americano over a more expensive drink if I already had this on my plate.
That is my guess at the reason for the test marketing
I hope these go national. My son and I really like the mini cupcakes from Trader Joes. And he’s a big fan of the mini doughnuts (liked the sparkle ones best).
I tend to spend more on mini items at restaurants than I do with the regular sized items. Great treat, great way to get a variety, or when you just want a “just right” amount.
@Christopher – funny you mention the lemon loaf. I usually eat just the top part (with the icing) and ditch the rest.
Marshmello on a stick? Yum! My DM Diane was telling me how she paired aged Sulawesi Kalosi with marshmellos and didn’t understand the pairing. I dont get it either. But it just made me think of that.
Those look delicious! Thanks for sharing. I love the way their displayed.
purple squirrels? is that what they are? I thought they were raccoons LOL
Melody, I’m feeling the need to visit the Grand Canyon!!! Love the ‘buy 5 get the 6th one free’ idea! I can see this being a big hit with consumers (pun intended)
@diele which post on MSI did you post that? I would love to see!
Oh. My. Goodness. I wish that Starbucks would test these here where I am! I would order them like…way too often. They look so yummy! I’m keeping my fingers crossed these actually get launched! Until then, I’ll daydream. 🙂
I am in a test area (not going to say which one)- and I can vouch for the annoying goodness of these treats! The cake pops are all super moist and sweet- Tiramisu is my favourite. The Lemon squares are perfect- to too sweet, not too tart, and the Chocolate Truffle square=heaven. Peanut Butter mini cupcakes are a little too sweet for my taste, but the carrot cake surprised me with its perfection. As for the cake squares- both are amazing too! The Whoopie Pies are almost too cute to eat…almost! Anyway, if you like you can head over to my blog for a few pictures and comments on the minis. 🙂
The test (from the scuttlebutt I’ve heard) is set to expand over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes open! This is truly the cutest thing Starbucks has done in a while…I’m a fan!
@Diele i would love to see!
@Emma Woodhouse you are making me jealous! thank you for describing them all *mmmmmmm*
Not fair that downtown Seattle literally NEVER gets test stuff!!! Why does Starbucks put their tests in remote places? @EmmaWoodhouse – Thank you for the great comment, but you made me drool a little.
Cupcakes: Peanut Butter, Carrot Cake, and Orange Cream
Cake Pops: Rocky Road, Tiramisu, Birthday Cake, Almond and Coconut
Sweet Squares: Lemon, Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel Pecan
Whoopie Pies: Red Velvet and Chocolate
Layer Cakes: Raspberry White Chocolate and Hazelnut Dark Chocolate
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151/layerD/StarbucksMinis001.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151/layerD/StarbucksMinis002.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151/layerD/StarbucksMinis003.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151/layerD/StarbucksMinis004.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151/layerD/StarbucksMinis005.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151/layerD/StarbucksMinis006.jpg
All under 200 calories!
@Melody We tested Via. I think for the most part they know that in Seattle we’ll figure out a way to make anything work, whereas other places it might be more difficult.
@CamSpi While I don’t know if Aged Sulawesi and marshmallows would necessarily go together well, I can understand it because Aged Sulawesi always reminds me of a campfire in the early fall, with the spices and the woodsiness. Maybe I’m just crazy.
Is it wrong that I felt a strong urge to post another comment on this post if only to ensure a higher blog traffic so as to voice my vote and voice of support for this particular food test?! LOL Starbucks…I vote YES!
ooh…they’re cake pops?! Not chocolate and yum covered marshmallows, wow I think thats even better. Ok I may need to go make a trip to a few other Starbucks and see if any of them were included in the test.
While those pastries do look good, especially when enlarged, I am really not too impressed mainly because I normally do not order them. Well maybe for an occasional blue berry muffin, which is more healthy, on my way home from the lake and have it warmed up with honey with my breakfast.
Thank you @Diele !
Wow, I sure hope these make it to Seattle! First up would be the tiramisu.
Thanks Melody & Diele for the photos!
@LatteRose – Love the new gravatar!
@Jrmy – I know you’re right about Via, but Seattle never gets the cool food tests. Do you remember about one year ago in Denver on starbucksgossip.com there was a big thread about blueberry pancakes being tested at Starbucks?? I would have loved to try them! And those didn’t launch either. Most tests don’t launch. 🙁 But the topic of “tests” curls my toes. I don’t know why but I find them fascinating. We never get anything like blueberry pancakes in downtown Seattle!
O.M.G. I really hope these go national! I definitely prefer a bunch of little bites to one big treat … variety is fun! I normally don’t buy pastries because of their size, but I’d buy bunches of these.
Are these just available in the afternoon, or are they available all day? I work a weird schedule so my lunch time often comes at about 8 a.m. … it would be lovely to be able to get them then, too!
Oh man! GREAT blogSKYS Mel! My mouth is just watering, looking @ those lovely pictures. My favorite picture is the middle one, top row. The test-mini’s look ever-so elegant & comfortable, rested on the pastry trays-LOL!
It’s slightly nostalgic for me, in that, for some reason, the appearance of these ‘mini’s’ remind of me of SBUX PM pastries, much, in the past! Like: carrot cake, espresso brownie bar, toffee almond bar… #nomnom
@ Amanda- The official literature on the minis says to put them out at 11. However, in my store we have a lot of teachers in the morning who buy food for the whole day, so we’ve been setting them out in the morning too. It just depends on the Starbucks. 🙂
@rikiyamada- That was my thought when I saw them too! Classic Starbucks for the win!
Marshmallow on a stick? Awesome.
I’m glad Starbucks started rolling out snack-sized foods like the Vanilla scones and mini donuts. I think it would be great for them to add to their collection. Hopefully these treats… um… stick.
ok. here goes. IF you are in Seattle, and you happen to be a Sbux fan, you officially don’t get to complain about a lack of anything…..she said, hesitantly.
but seriously, I’m thinking I’d trade all the treats in the WORLD for the coffee and coffee service you get there. not to mention all the clovers.
hiding now 🙁 xxx
ps: I don’t suppose anyone is interested but I have a great ‘whoopie pie’ recipe. I saw those in that pic which reminded me….so yummy. Of course, much easier to buy! WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM IN OUR SBUX TOO:) (Chicago)
@denise r. – I have now been, officially and deservedly, shamed. Forgive my whining about lack of test products in Seattle. I should not have whined and I want to stay your coffee-friend! You win!
Melody
Those. look. stinking. AMAZING! Totally drooling here.
THEY ARE SO AMAZING!!!! I’m in az and found them at 3 separate Starbucks I’m in the East Valley. The mini cakes are to literally die for. I’m so relieved they are under 200 calories though Cus I for sure felt guilty after eating it and didn’t wanna have to spend the afternoon in the gym after each indulgence lol
http://www.starbucks.com/menu/catalog/nutrition?food=all#view_control=nutrition
@steve your blue berry muffin has 360 calories in it… the healthiest food item at Starbucks is the spinach feta wrap at 280 calories http://www.starbucks.com/menu/catalog/nutrition?food=all#view_control=nutrition
Hi Nicola! Welcome to the blog! It’s always fun to see new faces. Hope you’ll poke around at some of the other blog articles here. It’s good to know that these little treats really are just as delicious as they look!! Like everyone above, I want this to launch nationally! Please bring these to Seattle. 🙂 Thanks for the comments!
Oh and they come in a super cute decorative box I’ll buy one tomorrow and share pictures!
My lips will never touch another blue berry muffin again Nicola. Such a rotton thing to do to blue berrys
@LatteRose,
While I love Yukon blend and was very happy to see it return to the core lineup, I miss your old Chococat avatar!
Ooh. These look good.
I’ve had an issue with the quality of Starbucks food for a long time – I consider it to have a premium-product image, but the snacks often don’t have a premium-product taste for me. I don’t taste real vanilla or good chocolate or (though this may be too much to ask) real butter. And they often look roughly the same as the offerings in a very inexpensive cafeteria.
I don’t know how these taste, but they definitely have a premium-product _look_, so that’s a good start.
(Thanks, CD – Chococat will likely come back!)
@Steve – Muffins are really just cakes in disguise
Thanks for sharing this Melody! I too am fascinated with all the tests that Starbucks does!
Oh Melody…….. ok and ok. 🙂
Thanks for enlightening me Ash. And I thought I was eating a healthy thing too because they had blue berrys in them. What a rotten thing to do to blue berrys. Shame on you Starbucks for leading me, and others, astray!
@ChickenFreak – Good to see you my friend. Yeah I agree there have been some issues with the quality of the Starbucks food. Some of it is really great, it’s just that Starbucks hasn’t figured out who to get quality food to over 6000 every day and make it be consistent from store to store. People walk in and expect that they will find the same lemon loaf in Arizona as in Montana as in California. There’s a constant tension between quality, scale of stores, consistency, and predictability. I almost think they should give up trying to get the exact same food to 10,000 stores (if you include licensed stores). Divide the country in regions, and supply each region with food with the expectation that there will be some variation from place to place so that more high-end but less scaleable food can be offered.
I like the idea of about 10-12 core items avaliable throughout the US and then regional sections(locally sourced, etc.).