Does the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino From Starbucks Actually Have Coffee in It?

As a self-proclaimed coffee addict, I’m always on the hunt for new and delicious coffee drinks to satisfy my caffeine cravings Lately, I’ve been seeing the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino all over my social media feeds – it’s aesthetically pleasing with its topping of whipped cream and strikes of vanilla bean, almost too beautiful to drink! But I was hesitant to try it, mainly because I couldn’t tell if it actually contained coffee or not As a coffee purist, I wasn’t interested if it was just a sugar-loaded vanilla milkshake. So I did some research to find out what exactly goes into a Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and was surprised to learn that it is actually a coffee-free beverage!

What is in the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino?

The Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino contains no coffee at all The key ingredients are

• Vanilla bean powder – This provides the vanilla flavor. Starbucks uses natural vanilla bean powder to give an authentic vanilla taste.

• Milk – The Frappuccino is made with milk for creaminess and sweetness. Either 2% milk or non-fat milk can be used.

• Ice – Shaved ice is blended throughout to give the Frap its signature icy, blended texture.

• Whipped cream – A topping of fluffy whipped cream finishes it off.

• No coffee – Unlike most Frappuccinos, the Vanilla Bean contains zero coffee.

So the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino is essentially a frozen vanilla milkshake made with natural vanilla bean powder and milk, then topped with sweet whipped cream. It’s a coffee-free treat.

Who is the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino for?

The Vanilla Bean Frappuccino caters to those with a sweet tooth who want a decadent, icy blended drink but don’t necessarily want the strong coffee flavor. Here are some of the ideal customers for the Vanilla Bean Frap:

• Kids & Teens – The Vanilla Bean Frappuccino is a popular choice for younger customers who want something sweet and fun. It doesn’t contain any coffee, so it’s safe for children.

• Non-coffee drinkers – For those who don’t like or can’t have caffeine, the Vanilla Bean Frap is a tasty frozen blended option that doesn’t have any coffee in it.

• Frappuccino fans – Existing Frappuccino enthusiasts may enjoy the Vanilla Bean version for its sweet, decadent vanilla flavor in a familiar slushy format.

• Vanilla lovers – Those who enjoy rich, authentic vanilla flavor will love the intensive vanilla in the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.

So while the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino may look like your typical coffee-based Frap, it’s actually intended for those who want an indulgent, creamy vanilla milkshake experience without the coffee.

My Review of the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

As an avid coffee lover, I was a bit hesitant to try the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino since it doesn’t contain any coffee. But I was pleasantly surprised upon tasting it! Here are my thoughts:

• It’s extremely rich and sweet – This is definitely an indulgent, sugary drink. The vanilla flavor is extremely pronounced. I’d classify it more as a thick milkshake than a refreshing beverage.

• The vanilla tastes natural – You can really taste the specks of real vanilla bean, which is much better than artificial vanilla flavoring. It makes it taste almost like homemade vanilla ice cream.

• It’s very filling – Due to how thick, creamy, and sweet it is, the Vanilla Bean Frap fills you up fast. I struggled to finish a whole grande.

• Whipped cream adds perfect sweetness – The mounded whipped cream topper complements the intense vanilla gorgeously.

• Not for black coffee purists – As someone who normally drinks black coffee, this was almost too sweet for me. But it’s perfect for those with a serious sweet tooth.

So in the end, while the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino still wasn’t my personal go-to order, I can appreciate it for what it is – a decadent, vanilla milkshake-like treat. I recommend trying it if you enjoy rich, sugary drinks and aren’t strictly a black coffee person like me. It definitely satisfies those with a major vanilla and sweets craving!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

Here are answers to some common questions about Starbucks’ popular Vanilla Bean Frappuccino beverage:

Does the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino have caffeine?

No, unlike most Frappuccino blends, the Vanilla Bean Frap contains zero coffee and therefore does not have any caffeine. It’s a non-coffee, coffee-free beverage.

What’s the difference between the Vanilla Bean and regular Vanilla Frappuccino?

The Vanilla Bean Frappuccino is flavored using real vanilla bean powder and flecks for a more natural, intense vanilla taste. The regular Vanilla Frappuccino uses a sugar-free vanilla syrup for flavoring instead.

Can it be customized with coffee?

No, baristas cannot add coffee or espresso shots to the Vanilla Bean Frap as that would go against the recipe. It is designed to be a coffee-free drink.

Does it contain dairy?

Yes, the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino contains milk and whipped cream, so it’s not vegan or dairy-free. Non-dairy milk substitutes cannot be used.

Is the Frappuccino gluten-free?

Starbucks states the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino can be prepared gluten-free by requesting it without the whipped cream topping. But blended drinks are made in equipment that processes wheat, so there may be cross-contact.

What’s the calorie count?

A grande Vanilla Bean Frappuccino made with 2% milk contains 420 calories. Using non-fat milk drops it to 300 calories. The high calorie count comes from the milk, sugar, and whipped cream.