Starting Thursday, Starbucks will offer Hearty Blueberry Oatmeal -- a blend of steel-cut and rolled oats.
"Ready to eat in five minutes and packed with seven grams of protein and six grams of fiber in a 280 calorie bowl, the new Hearty Blueberry Oatmeal is a satisfying choice to warm up cold winter mornings," says the Starbucks press release.
What's missing -- the sugar stats. I asked Starbucks about that and it's spokesperson told me:
"There are 18 grams of sugar in Starbucks® Hearty Blueberry Oatmeal if all of the toppings are included (two packets of organic agave syrup with fresh blueberries and a mix of dried figs, dried cranberries, pepitas and almonds). There are 13 grams of sugar with these toppings and only one packet of agave syrup."
* Starbucks introduces Hearty Blueberry Oatmeal, starting Jan. 3
Too bad the oatmeal is like chunky wallpaper paste. Starbucks replaced the instant oatmeal with large pieces that would normally be cooked. It wont soften with just hot water. its a chunky mess.Customers have already complained and will not buy it.You can add all the blueberries and agave syrup...you still have an inferior product.
Posted by: Chicago red | January 02, 2013 at 08:49 PM
Has anybody tried the cheesecake brownie?
Posted by: presto! | January 03, 2013 at 10:24 AM
I haven't tried it yet. Don't forget to let it sit for 5 minutes instead of 3!
Posted by: KDH | January 03, 2013 at 11:13 AM
I like it.
Posted by: Barista Ben | January 03, 2013 at 11:15 AM
Did you follow the directions and use steaming hot water? You also have to let it sit for 5 minutes. The old oatmeal would dissolve if you let it sink that long. This product is healthier and a lot closer to real oatmeal compared to that over processed crap we used to carry.
Posted by: Bananas | January 03, 2013 at 12:58 PM
Yup, sounds like someone wasn't making the oatmeal right. I'm a huge fan of just making it for myself at home from my big tin of dry oats, but this steel-cut stuff is pretty good, definitely a lot better than that instant mush we were using before. Also quite a bit of that sugar is going to naturally come from the blueberries too, which is silly to freak out about unless you already have way too much sugar in your diet anyway (and if you do then you aren't going to give a damn about "omg 18 grams" in your oatmeal).
Posted by: frapatte | January 03, 2013 at 04:41 PM
72 calories of sugar. My goodness gracious. Eat one bowl and they'll have to call the fire department to knock down a wall to get you out of Starbucks.
Posted by: Herman | January 03, 2013 at 05:41 PM
Also, make sure your hot water spigot stations are calibrated so that they are producing at right temp.
Posted by: Pat | January 03, 2013 at 08:13 PM
Herman, it's not a weight issue; it's a diabetes issue. I don't think you get it.
Posted by: Starbucks Gossip webmaster | January 03, 2013 at 08:43 PM
With all of the other syrups, sauces, and toppings at SBUX, I think that the sugar content from the agave would be the least of anyone's concerns.
Posted by: SirenSong | January 04, 2013 at 12:48 AM
"Herman, it's not a weight issue; it's a diabetes issue. I don't think you get it."
The first rule of anybody with an issue with certain foods is when in doubt don't.
Posted by: Herman | January 04, 2013 at 09:13 AM
I think Herman's original comment was re: the headline that made it look sensational that it had 18 grams of sugar (kinda surprised its that low). I feel for people with diabetes, but this is hardly the first fast food offering they have to avoid or the most egregious offender (McDonald's Fruit and Maple oatmeal has 32 grams...not to mention 90% of Starbucks offerings).
Posted by: Ben | January 04, 2013 at 04:31 PM
starbucks sells oatmeal. LOL
Posted by: David | January 06, 2013 at 10:34 AM
The new oatmeal is more expensive and less fiber and gets stuck in my teeth. Don't run out of my classic instant. Atleast it tastes rite.
The blueberries are so green I had to add both packs of syrup.
Posted by: Miss Crunch | January 08, 2013 at 11:53 PM
just be happy you get blueberries my region doesn't get any
Posted by: BaristaBrittany | January 11, 2013 at 06:52 PM
I think the new oatmeal at Starbucks is atrocious. I don't care about the sugar contents of agave syrup. The blueberries in the new version are fine, but I would much rather have the nuts and dried fruits with brown sugar that were offered previously. I ordered this new one once and that will be it. It was not tasty.
Posted by: Denese Eastin | February 25, 2013 at 04:05 AM
I asked someone at Starbucks about the freshness of the pastry and they assured me that they are fresh every morning. Maybe they are fresh at some point in some morning in some place, but the pastries are obviously not fresh at the specific store. Why not spring for better products that are at least sealed so that the moisture can't be sucked out of them. Better yet, buy the pastries from an excellent local bakery.
Posted by: Denese Eastin | February 25, 2013 at 04:08 AM
Denese , having been a partner for 5 years I have noticed since they took the trans fats out, certain one dry out sooner, i know daily pastries come during the night. the reason we dont buy local is across the country a certain standard selection is what we strive for..
Posted by: baristajack | February 25, 2013 at 06:39 PM
The new oatmeal tastes terrible. It's a mess of watery gruel. If I let it sit too long it gets cold. It's a bit troubling that Barista Ben refers to the old oatmeal as "over processed crap." And there I thought that Starbucks had us fooled with it's "perfect" oatmeal. I assume that when Starbucks dumps this new oatmeal, it will be replaced by something better. Then, this one can be referred to by Starbucks personnel as that "old tasteless gruel".
Posted by: Sal | March 12, 2013 at 08:15 AM