Beginning May 3, the Starbucks Coffee Company will be launching its new 31 ounce cold cup size, appropriately named "Trenta," meaning "30" in Italian. The drink will be available in all U.S. stores.
Customers are already excited for the new product.
"Right after I left my old store in Charleston, S.C., they welcomed the Trenta there as a test market," said Amy Lynne, shift manager of a store in Highland Park, Ill. "My friend who still works there said customers went crazy. It's only supposed to be for iced coffee and iced teas, but many of the customers wouldn't stop asking until they were able to get their choice frappuccinos and iced lattes in the larger size as well."
The 31 ounce size has already been labeled as "The Big Gulp of Starbucks."
"Either you're going to be absolutely ecstatic about the new size or completely disgusted," said Kristina Lunardi, a four-year veteran of the company and former employee of the Highland Park store.
She said many have been desiring a larger size for quite some time now, but there are also those who feel Starbucks is well on its way to becoming categorized as a fast-food establishment.
"We are a company dedicated to health and wellness," said Amber Waldo, store manager of the TigerTown store. "The Trenta is strictly for iced coffee and iced teas. Both options are extremely low in calories and contain no added sugar unless the customer asks for it."
The Opelika store, which currently offers the Trenta as one of their size options, is also part of Starbucks' ongoing test market.
Presently, the test market has been limited to the Southeast and Southwest regions, areas which are considered to experience more favorable weather conditions in the colder months.
An article posted by management on the Starbucks website elaborates on the new size option.
"We're excited to offer this larger size to our iced coffee and Tazo iced tea fans out there," according to the official press release on the website written by Grant G., tea category manager. "You told us on My Starbucks Idea and through your purchases that you love refreshing iced coffee and tea beverages, but want them in a larger size."
Sixty percent of those who currently purchase Starbucks iced tea already order the largest size, the Venti, which is 24 ounces.
At 31 ounces, the Trenta is only 50 cents more than the Venti, which most might find to be a better deal, especially since it qualifies for the company's well-known 54-cent refill.
Though many caffeine cravers might worship Starbucks for catering to their addictive buzz, there are some cons to consider when it comes to overindulging.
"Especially for students, caffeine can cause increased alertness and awareness, which for some students might help them study and wake up if they have a test first thing in the morning and overall just give them a clearer mindset," said Jacque Nash, pharmacist at the Auburn University Student Pharmacy.
"However, the bad effects of caffeine are that it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, especially in someone who may already have a pre-existing heart abnormality.
"As well, it can cause headaches in both cases where you have either too much or too little, depending on if your body is experiencing a withdrawal from the stimulant. Restlessness and moodiness can also be expected if too much is consumed."
Some stores have already added the Trenta to their menus, but the remaining locations will have to wait until the unveiled May date rolls around.
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