Starbucks is testing an Apple Crumble Latte and Apple Crumble Frappuccino in Charlotte, North Carolina. Has anyone here tried it? I think it sounds better as a cold drink idea than a hot drink. Of course I reserve judgment until I have given it a try!
This morning I was tweeting with twitter-friend “NationHahn,” and he mentioned that he wanted the Apple Crumble Latte to go national. At first, I thought he was referring to the current Starbucks Japan promotional beverage. In September this year, Japan did indeed launch an Apple Crumble Latte. I had read about, and seen pictures of the Japan promotional beverage on Kaori’s Starbucks Blog. My twitter-friend corrected me, and said that this beverage is a fall promo beverage throughout Charlotte, North Carolina. He emailed me the attached photo.
Sure enough, it’s a test beverage in Charlotte. And NationHahn left me with the instructions, “It is so good, tell Howard and co to bring it to the masses.” 😉 (You should be reading that in a light-hearted tone of voice.)
So do tell. What do you think of this drink idea?
Thank you NationHahn for your generous permission to use this photo.
(If you enjoy reading about test products and ideas, click here for more of these kinds of articles.)
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Wow! I remember hearing about this drink when it launched in Japan. I can’t believe that they are testing it here in the US. I agree that I think a cold version of this sounds more appealing than a hot version. But I would certainly try it!
Oooo! that sounds deliciously fall!
i must admit I never saw a PSL frapp until I moved to texas…and now it makes sense – if i had seen one offered in philly I would have thought people were batty wanting frozen drinks in the chilly fall.
I make a drink I call grandma’s apple pie and everyone loves it. I would love a crumble topping. I use caramel sauce, cinnamon dolce powder, and coconut flake if I want. I can see it being a great fall offering – I can see it doing well in September here in Arizona.
I will have to try it. Am headed to starbucks this afternoon, but I usually get a chai, a chai apple crumble perhaps?
Wow! this sounds like…..I’m not sure what? fall, for sure. Honestly, I cannot imagine what taste it would be, hot or cold. But, I’d never know until I tasted it. It sounds like it is doing very well. (I think I can see it more as a frapp…..)
This sounds delicious! I would vote for a hot version rather than a cold version, though. I would love to try it!
@melody i think nation and i are gonna take a road trip to charlotte sometime soon! i will let ya know what i think of the apple crumble!
im so mad, i was in north carolina 2 weeks ago!
Mmmm, a hot apple crumble latte sounds good on a chilly fall day!
Sounds fascinating; I’d definitely give it a try! Curious to see how coffee and apple would go together (though admittedly, I thought that the first time I heard of a pumpkin-based drink).
As others have said, very much a fall drink. I love apple crumble for dessert and might even try this as a drink. Certainly would love to see it go national. BTW does someone sit in a lab thinking up these drinks and then how do they decide which market to test it in? I would think this drink would be great tested in New England or the northeast?
It is delicious!
I discovered it quite by accident. It was listed as a “New” drink and featured on their promotional boards in the Birkdale Village Starbucks. A friend in Charlotte said it was all over the region/district.
It was DELICIOUS cold. It tastes similar to an apple cider/milk concoction and the espresso went really, really well. The only issue is I am now addicted and it isn’t available in Raleigh.
I saw several kids sucking down the frap version and enjoying it. The person I was with ordered it warm and said it tasted like a warm apple crumble (surprising, I know) and they enjoyed it quite a lot.
I’d love to see this one go national, soon!
I’m in Jacksonville, Florida and we have it here. I have only had it hot but I loved it. I like it a lot more than the pumpkin spice latte. It is very good!
This sounds amazing. I only created a frappuccino version with apple juice from the first line to the second(similar to strawberries and cream) with cinnamon dolce syrup added. I will experience with hot versions when I work Wednesday if I am not training.
Sounds interesting. I would at least try it once!
@NationHahn I’m a little bit jealous of you that youve gotten to try this! I wonder if the Japan version is the same? @PuttingOntheGrits Thank you for stopping by the blog. I didn’t realize it is in Jacksonville, FL too!
One of our partners was recently in Columbus, OH and they have it there too!
Oh, yummm. Apple crumble in a drink, I love it! That does sound good to me as a hot drink, just like apple crumble itself is best eaten hot. I hope it comes out nationally.
nation mentioned this on g+ as well, and i did the same double take in regards to kaori’s having spoken about it previously. so weird!
i really do hope it gets released to a wider market, as it sounds pretty fascinating 🙂
Does that come out of an Apple Crumble syrup bottle?
One of the partners gave me what was left of a Pumpkin Frapp she made…I didn’t even know there was such a drink! Now looking at the website there are now 30 Frapps or blendeds…. Do they just keep adding more?
Hello, I guess everyone has already tried it by now, but I just tried the Frapp Apple Crumb and it is absolutely delicious. Waaay better than the pumpkin frapp.
Hi Ivan! Welcome to the blog! It definitely is NOT the case that everyone has tried the Apple Crumble Latte or Frappuccino! I definitely have never tried them, and it is just a limited test, so you are soooo lucky that you’ve had the chance to try it. If I could easily fly to a city testing this item, I would but that’s not realistic for me, for many obvious reasons. I am delighted to hear your review, and honestly, I DO want to try it. I am jealous of you!
Please poke around the blog and “like” the blog’s facebook page too. There is a widget in the right hand column of the blog.
Thanks again!
~Melody
I’m from El Salvador and they are trying it here too, I know it doesn’t sound likely for a hot beverage but in my opinion (everyone has different tastes) it’s really good in both ways, as a frappuccino and as a latte, just give it try and judge by yourself ;D
Hey! I’m a partner working in Charlotte, NC. I believe only 2 stores in my district are testing the Apple Crumble Latte. It has been popular and although I may talk it up a bit more when I’m behind the counter… I honestly was disappointed with the apple syrup… I’ve had better. I also know that a number of people like it more as a Frappuccino. But overall, it’s seems to be doing well!
Hi Aaron Burdick! I think syrups are pretty subjective what people like! It sounds like many people love the Apple Crumble drinks. I think they were launched in a variety of places internationally – There was a thread on My Starbucks Idea about a person trying this drink in Aruba!
http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaview?id=08750000000Hgm1AAC
^ Now that would be a great Starbucks vacation. I have friend who went Aruba about one year ago, and somewhere on this blog there are a few photos of a Starbucks in Aruba!
I appreciate your two cents, and man, I wish I could hop on a place to Charlotte!
~Melody
(If you haven’t already, please sign the petition – http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/join-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-end-political-campaign-contributions/
^ It is simply a petition in support of Howard’s no campaign donation movement that he started last month
Thanks!).
Just had 2 of these in Mexico this past week. They had it at all of the Cancun airport Starbucks locales. Thought it was just a regional thing.
I’ve had it here in Japan. I’m not normally a frappuccino drinker, but boy are they delicious! I LOVE the apple shortbread on top!
@Jorda_nn and @Kimberly Michelle – Seems like most of the international markets got this and a few cities in the US. Mostly people like it! Thanks for weighing in. I’d love to start experimenting with the apple in a smoothie too.
Apple Crumble? I can’t stop my mouth from watering! Oh the possibilities of how awesome it could pe with all of the other things we off… oh… delicious… I hope it makes it to all stores!
It’s here in Mexico too!
I’ve tried both, and they’re both really good. The frap is like Fall in a cup. 🙂 The apple flavor isn’t as strong in the latte, which I don’t mind. I had no idea we were just a test group. It’ll be fun to see what happens based on what CLT thinks. 🙂
Hi HK! Welcome to the blog! It sounds like most people like the new Apple Crumble flavor. Heck, I think it would be fun to add the apple syrup to a passion tea – apple passion tea? What does “CLT” stand for in your comment? And I hope you’ll take a minute to look around this site, and click “like” on the blog’s facebook page or subscribe (the place to subscribe is right underneath the coffee cup in the right hand column). Thanks and welcome again!
~Melody
I live in Japan and they have the Apple Crumble latte here. I was skeptical when I first saw it but, decided to give it a try. I have to say, I really, really like it. It is interesting but incredibly addicting. I’m a big fan!!
Does anyone know which stores, if any, in San Jose CA (or anywhere in the Bay Area) have them?
@David – I’ve been meaning to get back to you but busy. Thanks for finding your way to the blog. I haven’t heard about this being tested anywhere in California, but if it is, I would love to know that – but I don’t think that area is a test market for this.
Thanks again. ~Melody
I’m a huge fan of the Carmel Apple Spice, which you cannot get in Japan. However, as is my habit whenever I am in Japan I went to Starbucks to get my fix and to try the latest seasonal drink (they had the black cherry mocha a year before we did in the States- Yum!) To my surprise the drink of the season was this Apple Crumble Latte. I was a little skeptical but more Curious Can I just say, I ordered this concoction everyday I was out there, sometimes twice- and have been craving it ever since. It was the perfect balance of Apple sweetness and coffee. I hope the NC version is the same- sweet flavors are usually milder in Japan. I just wish I could figure out how they make the drink so I could ask my local Starbucks to make it for me …Can’t wait until I’m back in Japan next week- I’m having withdrawals.
I luckily got to sample this delicious treat during a recent visit to NC. The latte is soooooooooo good! I know the pumpkin spice latte has many followers out there, but this, to me, is the better fall season drink. Let’s go national with this one, please!!
Indeed, I have tried Caramel Apple Crumble latte twice now – once at Stonecrest (Charlotte) and once at Sycamore Commons (Matthews). I tried to get it in Indian Trail, NC, but I was told that Union County was not in the test market – only Mecklenburg County. You really have to like that apple flavor. It’s kinda odd, and I think it will be an acquired taste for some. Apple flavored coffee was not a hit with my daughter, but I like it. The shortbread crumbles are tasty too. I do not think I would like this as a frappuccino, however. I prefer hot cider over cold cider, so apple latte over frappe for me as well.
Sounds great, they have just opened a new star bucks near me! going to see if they have it
I have had the apple crumble latte and it is DELICIOUS!!!!! Keep it permanently and bring it to Raleigh!
I think I would try it cold – but hot – not so sure – might be a little too sweet – buy, hey who doesn’t love apple?
Just had the Apple Crumble Latte while I was in Sweden and it was delicious. Everyone I told about it was jealous that we cannot get it in the US. I added an additional shot of espresso to a venti so it did not seem too sweet to me as others have said. I would definitely buy this if it was available.