On February 17th, when U.S. Starbucks stores launched the Tiramisu Latte, Starbucks stores in Canada introduced their new drink: The Blossoming Peach Tea Latte.
The Blossoming Peach Tea latte is like a modified earl grey tea latte: It uses an earl grey Teavana tea sachet, Blossoming Peach syrup, and comes with whipped cream and candied peach topping.
I decided I would go to Canada and try it. I hadn’t been to Canada since my trip about one year ago to enjoy a Maple Macchiato. Once again, the border patrol really thought my explanation for coming to Canada was a little unbelievable. It’s funny but I’ve discovered that if you say, “I’m coming to Canada to go to Starbucks” you will be met with disbelief by the Canadian border police. They’ll will always ask, “Where do you live?” and my reply is “Seattle.” I’ve discovered that you have to tell them a specific Starbucks, and even then the border police are bewildered and ask, “How long are you staying?” I’ve said things like, “Oh I might stay about fifteen to thirty minutes and turn around and drive home.” Within the past few days, I’d had some email conversation with a Starbucks partner at a store in Port Coquitlam, so I named this store as to where I was going. Indeed, this is where I headed to, in search of the Blossoming Peach Tea Latte. I had to tell the border police woman that “I’m addicted to Starbucks too.” I didn’t think there was any real chance that I was going to get refused entry to Canada, but I now know it takes a long time to get through the border crossing when you’re traveling to Canada just to “go to Starbucks.”
About thirty minutes after the border crossing, I found myself ordering the new drink, complete with my own favorite modification: the milk at about 140 degrees.
When I arrived at the Port Coquitlam Starbucks, the partner with whom I’d been emailing was on bar. She immediately recognized me and knew just who I was when I said, “Please write my name Melody on the cup.” Jessica, the Starbucks Canada was great fun to talk to. I think somehow in the jovial moment of “You’re Melody!” and the great conversation that followed, my lovely whipped cream and peach topping got forgotten from my drink!!
I thoroughly enjoyed my Blossoming Peach tea latte. It’s very sweet but really delicious. It’s not a heavy drink. Sometimes espresso drinks with a lot of espresso, syrups and sauces are a little overwhelming to me, like having a meal in a cup.
The syrup bottle tells you it is Peach Blossom. I’m not really sure how that tastes different than a plain peach syrup – it may be a little sweeter.
While I was there, I noticed that one partner working was wearing a fun Starbucks Canada t-shirt, so I snapped a picture of him too:
Feel free to talk about the Blossoming Peach Tea Latte or anything Starbucks related.
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Glad you came to Canada!! So curious what your Border Patrol Police said when came back home? I know crossing in to the US they question why we are crossing for something so quick!! It goes both ways, we are so close it is crazy to get the questions we do!!
Greg
As ever it sounds amazing, as does the Tiramisu latte!
They still get Jones’ soda in Canadian stores!?! Cool!
I’ll be back in Seattle in 11 days, and will be in Canada in 12!! I’m so very excited to revisit the Starbucks HQ (hopefully the gift shop will be open this time!), the new Reserve store, Pike Place Market, etc. And I’m especially ecstatic about visiting my favourite North American city (in my favourite North American country), Vancouver, again. I’m going primarily to tour the Univeristy of British Columbia campus (I’m a senior in high school), but also to simply fall in love with the city again (I’ll have 6 days to do so this time!), and to perhaps make a jaunt to Victoria and other places as well. Oh, and I’ve been dying to try the Maple Macchiato, so i think I’ll be paying a visit to the first BC Starbucks I see. π
Also, what’s the weather normally like when I’ll be there? Ominously dark, perpetually cloudy and sopping-ly wet, I hope? I’ve only ever been outside of (almost) forever-sweltering Texas during the summer months and I’m fairly certain I have reverse-SAD, so I’m rather enthused about the prospect of enjoying the weather I so greatly love (which is as described above). ;D
I like that you travel to other countries for your blog. π I don’t know the specifics of your conversations with the border patrol, but have you ever just said, “I write a blog about Starbucks, and Canadian Starbucks stores offer drinks that the US stores don’t offer. I want to go try a new offering so that I can blog about it”? You may be taking too vague of an approach, which is why you’re getting held up. Again, I don’t know if you already do that, but being more specific about the WHY you want to go to Starbucks instead of just the WHERE you want to go may shorten your stops.
It was so wonderful to meet you Melody. And you know our barista promise: love your drink or we’ll make it right? I figure I’m going to make it up to you and see what US border security says when I try to smuggle some syrup and sprinkles into the country, and personally make you another one. We could do a syrup exchange with a US store, and we can taste the Tiramisu latte! Yummm.
@ Ryan C
I don’t believe we have Maple Macchiatos right now. However they didn’t come out until March last year and the Blossoming Peach Tea Latte is only available “until March 2nd while supplies last”, so it’s possible we’ll be getting a different drink launching on March 3rd (any Canadian partners want to comment?).
I was in Vancouver this weekend (I’m from Alberta) and it was sunny with a high around 10-12 C (50-54 F). Their two week forecast has similar high temperatures with rain every two to three days. Seattle’s forecast looks nearly identical (probably due to their proximity).
I’m assuming this peach blossom syrup is slightly different in taste than the previous peach syrup and possibly made without juice to prevent curdling. Sounds delicious!
@Greg In….. our borders are much more inviting……especially if you can manage to get here by land. No questions. π
The peach blossom syrup sounds really tasty. Love reading about different countries drinks they offer. Love your blog
@Jo
I’ll be in Vancouver on the 5th, so that should line up perfectly!
And honestly, any cool weather’s better than Texas, but I would certainly love to see some rain while I’m there (and I don’t doubt that I’ll get some). π
Thank you so very much for the info! π
Hi Melody. I’m glad to hear you come to Canada and test our drinks!. The Peach Blossoming Tea is my favorite. They had it last year for the Chinese new year too, but I wish it was a permanent item so much!
@Jo – Maple Machiatto *is* March 3rd π And @Christine V – yes, it is a different syrup than the Peach – much more floral – in my opinion, it doesn’t really taste like peach at all. The peach sugar sprinkles are amazing though. Melody I’m so sad you didn’t get to try them – they are the best part. Perhaps you’ll have to visit again… π