Seattle, WA–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–April 3, 2007–Embark on a Latin adventure and discover the bold flavors and rich artistry of Latin America at Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX). Starting today, customers can stamp their palate’s passport and experience Starbucks Latin American coffees, espresso beverages, pastries, music, and merchandise all authentically inspired by this vibrant culture. Each telling a story, the array of offerings includes indulgent dulce de leche beverages and baked goods, lush mango pineapple empanadas, and colorful Costa Rican art and ceramics.
Dulce de Leche Stirs Up a New Flavor Sensation at Starbucks
While folklore cooks up several stories surrounding its fabled accidental creation, Starbucks brings the same complex flavor of creamy milk caramel to its U.S. and Canadian customers in its new Dulce de Leche Latte and Dulce de Leche Frappuccino(R) blended beverages. Combining dulce de leche with Starbucks signature coffee creates the perfect blend of historic and contemporary cultures and flavors.
“Latin America continues to be a great source of inspiration not only for Starbucks coffee, but for innovative flavors as well,” said Rob Grady, vice president of Beverage Category. “After tasting Dulce de Leche recipes from all over Latin America, we created a unique, yet authentic recipe that would give customers that same feeling of sweetness and warmth we found all across Latin America.”
One way this experience came to life is in this season’s Reduced Fat Banana Dulce Coffeecake. It offers a customized way to experience dulce de leche’s velvety sweetness through a familiar coffee accompaniment. Starbucks also has filled a pastry crust empanada with an exotic combination of mango and pineapple, for a sweet rendition of this traditionally savory snack.
Visit a Flavor Destination
The journey to Latin America continues with coffee offerings from several countries in the region. Born on the mountain slopes facing the morning sun, Starbucks(R) Costa Rica Tarrazú, is an elegant coffee with vibrant undertones and a hint of tanginess. Hailing from the south – and back by popular demand – is Brazil Ipanema Bourbon(TM) with a balanced, soft flavor and whispers of cocoa and nuts. “Starbucks Latin American coffees continue to be among the most popular varieties with our customers,” said Dub Hay, senior vice president of Coffee at Starbucks. “Latin America offers ideal growing conditions for coffee beans, a fact that can be tasted in the unique flavor, complexity and brew quality of these coffees.”
Experience the Culture’s Colorful Artistry
Customers seeking to capture the culture and passion of Latin America in their home will relish the art of both Eloy Zuñigas and Cecilia Facio de Figueres. Starbucks discovered Eloy’s colorful paintings of daily life at a small Costa Rican market and immediately commissioned the artist. Hand painting each canvas himself, Eloy created a limited number of the works of art depicting five different picturesque scenes.
To brighten up any morning, Cecilia’s vividly painted mugs reflect the same vivacious energy and bold use of vibrant colors. Cecilia finds inspiration for her work in natural hues capturing fruit and floral designs. Educated in the generational craft by her mother, she has been creating ceramic art for 40 years on her farm in Disenos, P.F in Costa Rica.
Sensuous samba rhythms are crossing the border into Starbucks stores and customer’s homes, with the U.S. debut album of CéU (pronounced “sayou”), co-released by Starbucks Hear Music and Six Degrees Records in traditional retail and Starbucks Company-operated locations. CéU is the first international artist featured in the Starbucks Hear Music(R) Debut series.
Bring Home a Rainforest Adventure – That Gives Back, Too
While the rainforest is home to more than 2.5 million insect species and some 2000 birds and mammals, customers can bring home plush sticky-toed frogs, capuchin monkeys ($5.95 U.S./$6.95 CAN) and bright butterflies. ($3.95 U.S./$4.95 CAN). A Rain Forest Play Scene activity set with colorful wildlife and foliage stickers ($9.95 U.S. only) offers another adventure for childhood curiosity. For each play set or plush animal sold, Starbucks will donate 10 percent of the sale price to Conservation International, an organization committed to preserving global biodiversity. For more information go to http://www.conservation.org
About Starbucks
Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in the experience, visit http://www.starbucks.com.
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