Starbucks just launched its new protein cold foam lineup. It nails what some protein drinks miss.

"In late September, Starbucks launched its new variations of its popular cold foam add-on to top cold drinks. The $2 foams add 15 grams of protein and flavors like chocolate, vanilla, banana, and pumpkin to any iced drink - and they're surprisingly tasty."

"I'm no stranger to protein shakes or snack bars, and the better-for-you category can be plagued by texture and taste issues, often struggling with a gritty texture or an unpleasant, lingering whey flavor on the back end. None of that is a problem for the Starbucks offerings. I walked into my local coffeehouse skeptical of the new menu items, and, after sampling four handcrafted drinks with different protein cold foam flavors, left thinking I might incorporate them into my regular rotation."

"The banana foam is the most unusual of the bunch. When paired with the matcha latte, the banana foam works, and it may have been my favorite. The chocolate and sugar-free vanilla versions of the protein foam are also pleasant. The pumpkin, a seasonal flavor staple for Starbucks, isn't one I'd return to, though I'm not a fan of the flavor in any other coffee preparation, either, so I can't hold that against them."

Starbucks introduced protein cold foam flavors in late September that cost $2, add 15 grams of protein, and come in chocolate, vanilla, banana, and pumpkin. A customer sampled four drinks with different protein cold foams and found them surprisingly pleasant for protein-forward additions, noting no gritty texture or lingering whey taste. The banana foam paired well with a matcha latte and emerged as a favorite. Chocolate and sugar-free vanilla were also pleasant, while pumpkin was less appealing. CEO Brian Niccol reported cold foam grew 23% year-over-year, and protein variations fit into the expanded flavor lineup since 2014.

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