Consumers continue to want fire in their food, and Starbucks is responding to the trend with new menu items.
“We saw an opportunity to create sandwiches with bold flavors,” Sita Kacker, Starbucks’ Product Development Manager, said in a press release. “Chorizo is popular right now and spicy is on trend, so this guided our direction.”
Both additions look to add a kick to the company’s food lineup as it seeks to break into more than just the coffee industry it is currently known for worldwide.
According to the company, its new Spicy Chorizo, Monterey Jack & Egg Breakfast Sandwich is its creative team’s twist on the all-American farmer’s breakfast, while the Ancho-Chipotle Chicken Panini is in line with the increasingly popular Latin-inspired flavors and spices.
“This is something we’ve worked on and dreamed about for over a year now,” Kacker said of the newest additions. “It will be exciting to see people ordering the sandwiches in our stores.”
She and Starbucks’ Senior Product Developer, Jane Hernandez, both were involved with the process, describing themselves as “food geeks.”
The Spicy Chorizo, Monterey Jack & Egg Breakfast Sandwich is made with the following ingredients: Spiced chorizo (sausage), Monterey Jack cheese, a fluffy egg, caramelized onions, served on potato bread.
With the idea to offer an item that was spicy but well balanced, Kacker said this process was with the farmer in mind.
“We thought about what it might be like to live on a farm, wake up really early in the morning and have a hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, potatoes and sausage,” she said. “We took all of these elements and put them together in a breakfast sandwich.”
As for the Ancho-Chipotle Chicken Panini, Hernandez describes it with a smoky flavor and a subtle sweetness. “The chicken is slow-cooked in spices and chili to infuse these flavors in the meat and make sure it stays tender and juicy.”
Ingredients making up this addition include: Shredded chicken breast in ancho-chipotle sauce, fire-roasted poblano peppers, red onion, Gouda cheese, spicy cilantro pesto, served on a Ciabatta roll.
How will these new products be received? Keep checking in with DeliMarket News as we follow this and other influential trends in the industry.
