Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

One Tall Strawberry Frappuccino - Extra Insects Please! Starbucks Reveals Popular Drink Contains Crushed BUGS

Have you ever wondered how Starbucks makes their Strawberry Frappuccinos look so vibrantly pink?

The pink hue is thanks to crushed up insects, according to new information provided by the coffee chain giant.

In a statement released by Starbucks, the company has revealed that they use cochineal extract, which is the ground-up bodies of insects, as a dye for the popular rose-coloured beverage.

Bugs from mainly Mexico and South America are dried out before they are ground and used in the milky-based Frappuccino drink.

As stomach-turning as it may sound, the ingredient is in fact harmless. Commonly used to help liven up the dull hues of jams, meats, cheese, baked goods, alcoholic drinks and more, cochineal extract has been used as a colouring agent in food and drinks for centuries.

It has been deemed safe by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration.

No comments: