Starbucks sent me a housewarming gift! I received a box from them with some Fusions literature, and a bag of each flavored coffee, and a French press!
Okay, it wasn’t really a housewarming gift, but that’s a nice thought. And it did arrive, coincidentally, at roughly about the time that I closed on my little condo. The real story is that I emailed a contact person at the Starbucks headquarters, inquiring if there were any events coming up related to Fusions, and received a promotional Fusions box in response to my inquiry. It’s much more fun to think of it as a housewarming gift.
Since I received this box of goodies free, the FTC requires that I disclose that “Melody received free product in conjunction with this blog post.” Inside the free goody box was a bag of each Fusions coffee, a French press, and some marketing-type flyers. For those who don’t recall, Starbucks Fusions are available in three flavors: Vanilla, Caramel and Cinnamon.
This blog post is long overdue, but here is my review of the Vanilla flavor Starbucks Fusions coffee:
Taking a big sniff of the coffee from the bag, I definitely was able to smell some sweetness to the coffee, but it was mild and not overwhelming. It was almost herbally sweet. I followed the instructions provided, and used the French press to make the coffee. The directions called for 3 scoops of coffee, though I might have added just a little more, had I not been following the directions.
Once brewed, I noticed it still had a slightly sweet aroma. The body of the coffee was light, and it’s definitely a mild coffee. The flavor is subtle and doesn’t overpower the the coffee. I drank my Vanilla Fusions black, but I think it is easily possible that a little milk and sugar would overpower the vanilla flavor to the coffee. The vanilla flavor tastes like sweetened vanilla to me. The flavor was even throughout drinking it, and did not end with any particular unusual flavors. Definitely NOT a crisp, palate cleansing coffee, but rather this coffee flavor lingered slightly in the mouth.
This was a good cup of coffee, but not a great cup. How do I compare it to other Starbucks coffees? Well, there is no doubt, I would far rather have a cup of Sun Dried Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, or Sumatra, or Aged Sumatra, or Sanani over this coffee. I would probably pick Fusions even over Pike Place Roast. Though in all honesty, I think I might take a cup of Via Ready Brew over Fusions!
After I made my cup of coffee, I wandered up to my building’s roof top deck and caught the last little bit of light in the sky, and sipped Vanilla Fusions, enjoying a mini city view.
Fans of flavored coffee will probably enjoy this. It’ll never be my favorite, but it was fun to try and fun to review. Here are a few pictures of the promotional box and its contents, as well as me making the coffee. (Some of the photos were taken by Molly of Seattle Custom Framing).
If anyone here has tried the Fusions coffee, do tell! I’d love to hear your two cents.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Melody….I’d send you a house warming gift, or I mran a condo warming gift, but I can’t figure how to get it in my computer to go to you, sorry.
This was really kind of Starbucks!
Is the French Press by Bodum? Then it would be the same like we got in Germany…
PS: Perfect view from ur condo! Just amazing!
Oh how cool!!!! and thank you to Sbux for acknowledging Melody in such a sweet and generous way!!! Very very very cool! (they even sent you a press!!!!)
Your description of the Vanilla was exactly what I would’ve expected it to taste like…as a Sbux coffee. And I agree with you, I’d take probably anything over PPR! and that I also will highly unlikely ever buy these flavors of Sbux. (or anyone elses)
And, gorgeous shot of your city!
It is all well-deserved, and you SHOULD have some Fusions to try…they must realize by now that you have a highly respectable blog that only helps Sbux, overall.
I want to write about another Sbux-giving and also not-giving event(s) but that will be another story!
Happy for you Melody, and well deserved!
(THANK YOU SBUX……… keep her in mind;)
@Steve @Sebastian @DeniseR
@Steve -Thanks for the kind thought.
@DeniseR – Your comment is great. Starbucks has reached out to me now and then, just not in the ways I’ve specifically asked for. In fact, I have an invitation to go to the Starbucks headquarters Wednesday of this week. I haven’t even replied back to Starbucks yet, which probably surprises them, because I usually email back very fast. I just need to clear the time off with my supervisor. The Vanilla Fusions was okay but not fabulous. Maybe I’ll like one of the other two flavors better. ??
@Sebastian -Thanks for the comment. My condo itself doesn’t really have a view. That’s the rooftop view. It’s not THAT great. My view every single day from Seattle Muni Court is far better. One of the addictive things about being in SMC is its view. The court sits on James Street and 5th, kind of at the top of a hill, and it’s high enough up that when you’re there, you have a city view, a view of water, a view of industrial Seattle areas, and a small view to south. You can see the top of the Starbucks headquarters from court.
congrats on the new home…I can’t find this vanilla coffee near my house in boston
Have you tried the other flavors? I think my parents would like something like this, but I won’t spend my money on it (free is another story, lol).
And how natural is caramel to be considered a ‘natural fusion’? That seems odd to me.
Do you know how hard it is to do this from a phone?
My cat decided it would be good to share some mexican mocha with my laptop earlier this week, so I have been even more scarce than usual. How is it out there in internet land?
As a photographer, and as someone that loves taking coffee photos, this is something I am happy to know. Thanks for sharing this information.
While I am not a HUGE flavored coffee fan I could see myself trying this for sure…especially the vanilla or carmel
Thanks for the review…I just might have to pick some up!
@Melody
Wow! This must be THE perfect workspace…:D:D
That’s what I love about American cities! I already saw the courthouse in Google Streetview from below and I have to agree, this is a nice place to work at. And you got some Starbucks too in your area.
Oh I hope you can get the time off and tell us all about Starbucks HQ!
I also would like to think of this as a lovely housewarming gift
Hmm, I should try these, light and vanlla sound like my cup of joe
@Sebastian – I just tried to look at the court from Google Street View but that is not an accurate pic! Very weird!
We got some samples in some time back; so far we’ve tried the vanilla.
Our opinion was pretty much the same as yours: nice, mellow, and the vanilla was very mild and in the background. I also wouldn’t put it on the same level as my standard favorites. The one difference is that when we made it, the vanilla aroma was very strong. I was worried, before I tried it, that the vanilla would be the only thing we could taste.
We still have samples of the caramel and cinnamon that we have yet to try.
@Amy – I’ve seen this at Target, Stop and Shop, and Hannaford in the Boston area. If you are really stuck on finding it, I might be able to scare up a sample!
How nice of Sbux to send you such a nice package. You deserve it, though, for all the things you do! Personally, the added spices to the Natural Fusions overpowered the aroma of the coffee, and didn’t compliment the flavors as much as I would have liked.
I guess if you add cream to it, it’s not too bad.
let us know how the other fusions are. I do agree that I would be enthusiastic to sample them, but I don’t think that I would actually buy a bag…knowing I could be buying so many of their other great coffees. And I definitely cannot justify buying a bag…knowing there is Galapagos out there that I need to track down first!
beautiful city night-scape by the way!
I have tried all the Starbucks Infusions and would say that the cinnamon is the one that most tastes like coffee.
Melody, it’s good to be a person with connections that gets schwag. How cool is it that you took it as a warming gifts from the angels of coffee. Through your writing you share the vision of your eyes. Flavored coffees, not my cup of tea, ha ha I can’t say I don’t like them because I never tried them but I’m sure there is a market share they cover. I must agree with Katherine though, natural caramel? Not sure what that is but hey, someone will like and drink it we hope. BTW what ever happened to the companies delve into the chocolate biz, I still have people upset that those specialty candies available in grocery stores is gone. PS, Pumpkin spice came in today. Toffee mocha too, another, not really my thing but Dory loved it. Cheers
Hey Melody!
Ok, so it’s only been a week but it has seemed much longer then that. If your ever in Ohio be sure to let me know 
Long time no post from me. My world has been spinning since I got partnership
@Christopher and @Skooter and @BostonStarbucksRebel
@Skooter – Hahaha! Well, a few connections here and there anyway.
I don’t always _quite_ get what I want from Starbucks. Endless supply of Howard autographs? Ha!
@Christopher Yes i’ve missed your comments! I wondered for a moment if I had done something!
But I knew you’ve just started being a partner and probably are soooo busy.
@BostonStarbucksRebel – Maybe I’ll make a point of writing about Cinnamon next. I love Cinnamon as a flavor. Ice cream. Cookies. Anything!
Yep, new partners have a lot to learn in two weeks
I am absolutely loving it though. I have partner sampled all the new stuff for fall and have heard rumor of what the new Christmas stuff is going to be. It’s a perk of the job, and a very good one 
I can’t seem to find the new name for the black apron whole bean coffee line. Do you know it?
So, it’s kinda what I would’ve expected. I think all of these flavors would be better with a touch of cream and sugar in the coffee. Long, long ago (back in the 80′s) I was a big fan of flavored coffees, but they never tasted as good black.
I think the cinnamon would be the best, too…like from Mexico…even w/o cream. The caramel, if anyone wonders, is a very natural flavor — it’s just sugar and butter cooked til it’s almost burnt.
@Christopher do you mean Starbucks Reserve? I think they consider that taking over the Black Apron coffees…but with the intro of Clovers maybe that’s not exactly right.
@Christopher I think you’re talking about Starbucks Reserve?
I believe they consider that taking over the Black Apron coffees…but with the intro of Clovers maybe that’s not exactly right.
I’ve looked in a few grocery stores, and it appears as though the flavored coffees are not in Canada. I don’t think I’d be a fan anyway, and I actually still wish that Starbucks never came out with it.
I like flavored coffee and vanilla is my favorite. I’d love to try this Vanilla flavor. Oh, and your view of the city is fantastic!!!
I’m agreeing with Hayley about Starbucks ‘Reserve’. I couldn[‘t find anything about any recent Black Apron coffees and it seems that the Reserve small batch coffees have taken their place. ??? But, there’s alot I don’t know, I’m sure!
@Molly – I definitely need to review cinnamon next, when there is time! I need more time! And maybe these coffees are best with a touch of cream and sugar.
@Kaori – Thank you much. I think I’ve become pretty spoiled in life when it comes to city views. I’m almost used to seeing a ton of beautiful views! Seattle is an amazing city in that way. If you’re ever in Seattle, be sure to visit the Starbucks on the 40th floor of the Columbia Center: You’ll have an amazing view from that store too.
After doing the Blig Climb we all head down to the 4oth flor for refreshments and the view even though it is not as good a from the 73rd floor.
Melody: I took a pic. of all three together (the flavors!) being sold at my local Target. willl send it to you…..shows price, too.
You had to go and say Via didn’t you? (I swear Via is the worst thing I’ve ever tasted in my entire life) Thanks for sharing your blog with me, I look forward to reading more as you know I’m rather fond of a good peppermint latte.
I find it odd that they sent it with a french press-isn`t it pre-ground for flat bottomÉ
oops! my computer set to french and did that^ sorry!
@CABarista – I hadn’t even thought about that, but it is pre-ground for a flatbottom…odd. But a French press is always better.
I’ve actually only had the caramel, and it wasn’t bad. The flavor wasn’t overpowering, though it was a bit sweet for me personally. I certainly wouldn’t drink it all the time, but it wasn’t bad. I’m just happy that they don’t flavor it while it’s roasting.
I agree that pressed is the way to go-but the wrong grind will not turn out a great cup…