Starbucks is gearing up to introduce its own rendition of boba beverages at its stores this summer, marking a significant step after more than two years of testing drinks featuring pearls.
CEO Laxman Narasimhan announced during the company’s earnings call on Tuesday that they are launching their first texture innovation, Pearls, as part of Starbucks’ summer menu. This marks the beginning of a series of texture-based innovations expected in the coming years.
Scheduled for rollout during the week starting May 6, the new drinks are anticipated to bring a unique sensory experience to Starbucks patrons. Some TikTok users, purportedly Starbucks baristas, have already showcased videos making summer berry-flavored Refreshers featuring raspberry-popping pearls, as well as an iced matcha drink with pearls.
Starbucks had previously confirmed a limited test of beverages featuring “coffee pearls” at two stores in December 2021. These included drinks like “Iced Chai Tea Latte with Coffee Pearls” and “In the Dark,” as depicted in a viral TikTok video from a Starbucks outlet in Palm Desert, California.
Boba, or bubble tea, originating from Taiwan, typically features milk, tea, and chewy tapioca pearls derived from cassava plant roots. The introduction of Starbucks’ version of boba represents a foray into this popular cold beverage category, aligning with Starbucks’ strategy as three-quarters of its drinks sold in the early summer quarter of July 2023 were cold.
In addition to the boba-inspired drinks, Starbucks plans to introduce a “new functional product, a zero to low-calorie handcrafted energy beverage,” along with more sugar-free customization options, as Narasimhan revealed on Tuesday.
Narasimhan emphasized that product innovation like this is instrumental in elevating the brand and driving sales. Notably, Starbucks aims to accelerate its new product development cycle, with plans to halve the current 12-to-18-month timeline.
The introduction of drinks featuring popping pearls signals Starbucks’ commitment to staying at the forefront of beverage trends and satisfying evolving consumer preferences.
