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Starbucks is well known for its unique take on traditional drinks. Take a look at frappuccino chips for example.
Before you know it you’re drinking these coffee-inspired drinks without knowing what ingredients are actually in them. This means that when the time comes to re-create them at home, it can be a challenge!
Frappuccino Chips: The Quick Answer
Frappuccino chips are small chocolate chips. They can be blended easily, making them perfect for many iced drinks. The taste is smooth and sweet, which is the perfect combination to balance out the bitter flavors of coffee.
There’s a range of blended drinks at Starbucks that use frappuccino chips. Without them, these drinks wouldn’t taste the same.
How Frappuccino Chips Differ from Java Chips
If you thought there were any differences between java chips and frappuccino chips, you are wrong, they’re exactly the same thing!
But why are they called different names? The answer is simple, Starbucks decided to change the name from java to frappuccino. The rest of the world calls them java chips.
To avoid confusion about what they’re commonly referred to, some coffee lovers often just say: “frappuccino java chips”. That way, everyone is on the same page.
Although, if you head over to Starbucks and ask for java chips they’ll most likely know what you mean. And vice versa when you’re at a different coffee shop!
How are Frappuccino Chips Made?
According to Starbucks, these are the ingredients in frappuccino chips:
- Salt
- Chocolate mass (A chocolate paste that is semi-solid/solid used to add color and flavor)
- Cocoa (Processed with alkali to reduce the acidity of the cocoa and enhance the flavor and color)
- Cookie crumbs (included ingredients consist of cocoa that’s been processed with alkali, salt, wheat flour, sugar, kernel and palm oils, and more)
- Confectionery sugar (made from sugar, vanilla, milk, soy lecithin, palm kernel and oils, and alkali processed cocoa)
If you’re lactose intolerant or follow a gluten-free diet, then frappuccino chips are not for you. They contain both milk and flour (wheat), making them unsuitable for these types of diets.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that Starbucks uses the same equipment for different drinks, so there’s always the risk of cross-contamination.
The Best Ways Frappuccino Chips are Used
There are 3 primary ways to use frappuccino chips:
- Blend them
- Use them as a topping
- Melt them
Blended – Frappuccino chips are commonly blended with other ingredients to make many blended coffee drinks. The reason they’re preferred to other chocolate alternatives is that they melt rapidly and mix well with other ingredients when put in a blender.
Topping – They are often seen as an added bonus to drinks, providing you with a lovely sweet flavor while they melt on your tongue.
Melted – As frappuccino chips melt quickly, adding them to hot drinks can be done effortlessly. Common methods include adding them directly to a hot espresso or steaming the chips in milk. Either way, what you’re left with is sweet and delicious flavors in your beverage.
No matter what method you decide to use, you must remember the good old saying: “everything in moderation”. In other words, just make sure not to overuse them, or frappuccino chips may ruin how the drink is supposed to taste.
Would Frappuccino Chips be Classed as Chocolate?
The combination of different ingredients means that these chips aren’t considered chocolate. According to The FDA, the contents of chocolate within frappuccino chips are too small (below 15%).
However, this isn’t done to save money making them. As mentioned, they can be melted quickly for hot drinks and can be blended without hassle in a blender, making them ideal for iced coffee drinks.
Speaking from experience, the chips are small but still mighty when it comes to the rich flavors packed inside them.
What is the Caffeine Amount?
Chocolate is known to have caffeine. This means that frappuccino chips do too. However, the amount of caffeine contained within them is relatively small. So, if you’re looking to cut back on caffeine, ordering a frappuccino drink that has java chips but no coffee will drastically reduce the levels of caffeine you’re consuming.
| Double chocolate chip creme frappuccino (no coffee) | Java chip frappuccino (with coffee) |
| Caffeine amount – 15mg | Caffeine amount – 105mg |
Chocolate also contains theobromine which is a natural stimulant that is in some ways similar to caffeine. However, it’s typically found in higher quantities in dark chocolate, which is why dark chocolate tastes bitter and is extremely dangerous for dogs. So, only small amounts are found in java chips.
Best Places to Get Frappuccino Chips
Because frappuccino chips are unique to Starbucks, they are hard to get. However, java chips which are very similar to how Starbucks makes them can be purchased from Amazon.
This alternative option by Big Train can be used in exactly the same way, making these java chips perfect for blended, iced, or hot drinks. Plus, if you like baking, they can be used with any recipe.
There’s also the added benefit of not needing to pay the high prices that come with ordering from Starbucks. Instead, you can simply add these to your drinks at home without losing out on any of the flavors.
What Starbucks Drinks Use Frappuccino Chips?
Now it’s safe to say we’ve covered what they are and how they are used, it’s time to see all the Starbucks drinks that these java chips are regularly found in:
Molten Hot Chocolate – This drink was released a few years ago now, and it was only available for one month (February). Since then, only a handful of Starbucks coffee shops have brought it back. Don’t worry, you can still order it under a different name, you’ll just need to ask for: “a mocha-infused steamed milk with melted frappuccino chips”.
Oreo Frappuccino – If you’re a fan of Oreos and frappuccinos, this drink will likely go down well. Heavy cream, vanilla flavoring, Oreos, and more, what’s not to like?
Chocolate Cookie Creme Frappuccino – Chocolate (technically frappuccino chips), cookies, and cream. What’s not to love? To cut back on coffee, this drink is a good choice. It has no espresso or frap roast. Instead, it has a cream base syrup. However, for those in the mood for coffee, we recommend the mocha cookie crumble frappuccino.
Java Chip Frappuccino – This is the original drink that first included frappuccino chips. The reason why there are so many new options available is that it was well-received by Starbucks lovers. You can expect a combination of java chips, mocha, frap roast, milk, base syrup, mocha sauce, and whipped cream in the drink. All of which provide a tasty and refreshing treat, especially on a hot day.
Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino – Similar to the java chip frappuccino, the only difference here is that it includes a bottom layer of whipped cream and cookie sprinkles. There are also a few cookie crumbs that are sprinkled on top to add a finishing touch.
Double Chocolatey Chip Creme Frappuccino – Minus the coffee frappuccino syrup which is substituted for a cream base syrup and no frap roast, the drink is basically the same as the java chip frappuccino. Just like the java version, the toppings are the same with a mocha drizzle and whipped cream.
How Do Cacao Nibs Differ from Java Chips?
Cacao nibs are small bits of cacao beans that have dried up. These beans grow on trees, and when the time comes, they are picked, dried, and cracked into various pieces, ready to be eaten. Their flavor has a slight bitterness and a nutty sensation.
There are a bunch of health benefits that come with eating cacao nibs. For example, did you know that they can help to lessen cell damage, which helps protect you from heart disease, cancer, and more?
Java chips/frappuccino chips, on the other hand, are made from various ingredients, making them taste widely different from cacao nibs. So, it’s easy to see where the differences are.
Will Starbucks Offer Any New Drinks with Frappuccino Chips?
The latest frappuccino drink to be added to the ever-growing list of drinks at Starbucks is the Forget-Me-Not Frappiccomo (although it’s only available in some countries). However, we’re sad to say that java chips are not included.
Although nothing else has been confirmed while we write this, Starbucks will likely continue to experiment with new frappuccino drinks. Now, not all of them use java chips, however, considering how popular they are, it’s more than likely some of the new additions to the menu will include them.
And That’s a Wrap
That’s all the information we have to share with you on this subject, props to you for making it to the end! So the next time you’re in the mood for frappuccino chips when you’re out and about, remember you don’t just have to go to Starbucks.
You always have the option of going to other coffee shops that offer java chips (as they’re the same thing). Otherwise, you can buy some and save yourself the hassle of venturing outside your home.