A recent TikTok video by Starbucks barista Megan Palluccio, known as @cozybarista, has ignited a lively discussion about the sugar content in coffee drinks.

In the viral video, Palluccio displayed what appeared to be an excessive amount of syrup in a single Peppermint Mocha, accompanied by a vomiting emoji in the caption – her way of expressing disgust at the syrupy revelation.

The TikTok video revealed that a significant portion of a Starbucks cup was filled with chocolate syrup when making a Peppermint Mocha.

Depending on the drink’s size, this syrup added different calorie counts: 100 calories for a Tall, 130 for a Grande, 170 for a Venti, and a whopping 430 for the Frappuccino version, according to Starbucks’ website.

The response to this syrupy discovery was varied. Some customers expressed relief when orders were placed for a “half sweet” Peppermint Mocha, finding the original too sweet.

Complaints emerged about the overpowering sweetness, with one customer noting that it masked the coffee’s flavor.

In contrast, some welcomed the sugary indulgence, seeing the drink more as a dessert than coffee. One individual boldly declared, “And imma EAT. THAT. UP.” Another echoed this sentiment, exclaiming, “and? hand it ovaaa.” For them, Starbucks wasn’t about coffee; it was liquid cake.

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This backlash against Starbucks isn’t new. Over the years, the coffee giant has faced criticism for serving what some consider alarmingly high sugar levels in its beverages.

Starbucks has been accused of serving drinks with more sugar than soda cans. For instance, a venti-sized hot mulled fruit grape with chai, orange, and cinnamon contained 99 grams of sugar – equivalent to adding 25 teaspoons of sugar to your cup.

In response to these criticisms, Starbucks pledged to reduce the overall sugar content in their drinks by 25% by the end of 2020. They also introduced lighter options, sugar-free syrups, and natural sweeteners, providing nutritional information both in-store and online.

Starbucks Stories, the chain’s official blog, emphasized their commitment to eliminating high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors, and trans-fats from their products. They proudly announced a 25% reduction in added sugar in indulgent beverages and their use of 100% cage-free eggs.

Palluccio’s post has garnered over 1.9 million at the time of this story.

The Daily Dot has reached out to both Starbucks and Palluccio for their comments on this matter.

The sugar levels in Starbuck’s hand-crafted coffee drinks is stunning, with health-conscious consumers demanding transparency and healthier options.

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