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I hadn’t heard about the ‘Dutch Bros Straw Code’ until recently, when I went through a Dutch Bros drive-thru with a friend and got handed an orange straw.
I said, “I always get orange straws with my drinks. Is that weird?”
She laughed even harder, and if the Straw Code is real, I can see why.
According to Dutch Bros fans, the color of the straw in an iced or blended drink is supposed to mean something.
The idea is pretty simple.
The Dutch Bros straw code: What does it mean?
We’ve all heard of bro code, but what about the Dutch Bros Straw Code?
Allegedly, this color-coded straw system secretly lets you know what your Dutch Bros barista thinks of you.
The rumor has spread from talk shows to TikTok, so I started wondering whether my Broista was trying to tell me something every time I got a certain straw color.
The version people pass around is simple, with each color supposedly carrying its own meaning:
Green straw
Apparently, getting a green straw doesn’t mean you look particularly outdoorsy or vegan.
According to that version, the orange straw supposedly means the person who made your drink thinks you’re unsightly or unattractive.
I’m now trying to remember every time I may have gotten a green straw, and that is not exactly calming.
Anytime I think about it, I get a little more suspicious when I pull into Dutch.
Key Takeaways:
- Green Straw = recipient is “ugly” or “unsightly”.
Pink straw
It’s not just the Dutch Bros sticker of the month I hope to spot on my next iced coffee run.
Just kidding, but if I bought into the Straw Code, pink would probably be the best straw color to get.
The pink straw is said to mean the recipient is cute, pretty, or handsome. Others have said that it has nothing to do with looks, and could just mean the recipient was nice or ‘pleasant’ all-around.
Key Takeaways:
- Pink Straw = recipient is “pretty“, “nice“, “cute“, or “handsome“.
Blue straw
Blue is the one I’d least want to see under the Dutch Bros Straw Code.
Although it’s my favorite color, receiving the blue straw could signify that the person was rude or hard to deal with.
Feedback is supposed to be a gift, though, so if I ever get a blue straw I’ll either do some real introspection or assume it was just random.
Key Takeaways:
- Blue straw = “rude“ or hard to deal with.
Orange straw
I’ve received so many coral-colored and orange straws at Dutch Bros that, until recently, I genuinely thought that was the only straw color they used.
If the straw code is real, I have to laugh, because apparently an orange straw indicates that the customer is mysterious, strange, unusual, or just plain weird.
I like the idea that people might think I’m mysterious, but if I’m honest, I’m probably getting them because I come across as a little weird.
Orange is cool, though.
Key Takeaways:
- Orange straw = “weird“, “unusual“ or “mysterious“.
Yellow straw
Yellow feels much more neutral to me.
It plays well with other colors, but it doesn’t have much of a standout personality.
That’s kind of what the yellow straw means – that the recipient is average or “so-so”.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it, but it still seems better than blue or green.
Key Takeaways:
- Yellow straw = “average“ or “unremarkable“.
How did the straw code at Dutch Bros begin?
It’s not completely clear where the Straw Code started, but the version that gets mentioned most seems to have picked up speed through The Veronica Show and social media.
Either way, it’s gone way beyond a throwaway online joke.
Some Broistas have said they’ve seen it used, or know other locations and Broistas who do.
Some say it even depends on how busy the Dutch Bros location is, since crews may use it one moment and grab any random straw the next.
Is the Dutch Bros straw code real or a coffee conspiracy?
There are plenty of straw code guides and experiment videos on websites like YouTube and TikTok, and some of them have racked up thousands of views, likes, and comments.
Some videos insist the code is real, while others argue the opposite.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to tell whether my Dutch Bros or the specific Broistas making my drinks actually use the practice.
Still, I keep thinking I’ve only ever received orange straws. That could mean the Broistas think I’m weird or mysterious, or it could just be a pattern I’m noticing after the fact.
From what Broistas themselves have said, whether the code gets used seems to come down to time, location, and the employee on shift.
True or not, I can see why people treat it as a smart marketing move for the coffee chain.
I’m definitely a little more curious about my next trip to Dutch Bros now, even if it’s only for experimentation purposes.
FAQs
What color are Starbucks straws?
Starbucks used to use its iconic green plastic straws, but has since switched to eco-friendly straws in different colors. Depending on the officially licensed cup, you can also get different straw colors.
What color are Dunkin Donuts straws?
Dunkin’, previously known as Dunkin’ Donuts, now uses marine biodegradable blue straws made with PHA. These phade blue straws are made with fermented canola oil.
Conclusion - Dutch Bros straw code cracked!
The Straw Code may never be fully cracked, and I may never know whether the color I get actually says anything about how my Broista feels about me.
Still, it’s a fun idea whether or not anyone is actually following it.
And even if I get a blue straw, I know I’ll still enjoy my Golden Eagle Breve in peace.
