At some point in our lives, we’ve all been to Starbucks. This popular coffee shop is everywhere, with 33,833 stores worldwide.[1] No wonder everyone knows about this cafe.
One of their popular drinks is the Java Chip Frappuccino, and we're pretty sure you're curious about what java chips are.
Well, we have the answer for you! In this article, we will answer the question "what are java chips?" discuss their use, and list popular drinks in Starbucks that serve this ingredient.
Let’s dive in!
What Exactly Are Java Chips? (Common Questions Answered)
Java chips are usually considered as some type of chocolate chip and resemble cacao nibs or coffee nibs.
However, some argue that they are not. So, what are java chips? To help you understand this ingredient better, we will answer some common questions about it.
These will give you an idea of what they are and how they differ from the chocolates we know.
Are Java Chips The Same As Chocolate Chips?
There's no doubt that java chips look and taste like chocolate chips, so that makes them the same, right? Those aren't the factors that make something chocolate.
So, let's ask the standard of our trusted institution--the Food and Drug Administration.
According to the FDA, chocolate should have at least 15% chocolate liquor used in its cocoa ingredients.[2] A semi-sweet chocolate chip generally contains 35% to 45% of chocolate liquor.
On the other hand, dark chocolate chips have about 50% to 80% chocolate liquor, while regular chocolate chips have 28% to 35%.
However, Starbucks java chips only have 12% chocolate liquor. So, technically, they’re not the same as chocolate chips--they’re not even chocolates. Instead, they’re referred to as chocolatey.
Other coffee shops or java chip manufacturers may have more cocoa content in their versions, which can be called chocolate chips.
Apart from the cocoa percentage, java chips and chocolate chips also differ in their usage.
Java chips are often added to blended drinks, like Frappuccino, as they can melt and blend easier compared to regular chocolate chips.
Real chocolate chips can also maintain their form more than java chips.
Since java chips can melt faster than chocolate, they are perfect for adding to drinks like coffee, which can enhance the coffee flavor.
On the other hand, solid chocolate chips are often added in various recipes or eaten as is. For example, you can add them to a batter to create a chocolate cookie or added in a chocolate bar.
You can also try to consume java chips by themselves, but they wouldn't taste like the chocolate you're used to. They're still sweet, but the chocolatey goodness isn't enough.
What Do Java Chips Taste Like?
In most cases, java chips taste like chocolate, but they lack the "chocolatey" flavor since they don't have high cocoa content.
Some people may confuse java chips as coffee flavored since java is another term for coffee. However, that isn't the case, and this ingredient doesn't contain any coffee flavor.
Generally, when java chips are added to coffee drinks, it produces a chocolate flavor that can complement the strong flavor of the coffee.
This makes it easier for those with a sweet tooth to consume strong coffee without the intense, bitter taste.
What Ingredients Are Found In Java Chips?
So, what are java chips made of? Well, there are different variations depending on the brand. But java chips at Starbucks are made with five major ingredients:
Are Java Chips Vegan?
Chocolates can be vegan, especially if made with plant-based ingredients.
However, some manufacturers use other animal-based ingredients like milk that can make java chips not vegan and dairy-free.
It's best to ask your barista if the java chips they use are vegan. Otherwise, buy java chips from vegan chocolate brands.
Are Java Chips Gluten Free?
Pure, unsweetened chocolate is considered gluten-free. This is because pure chocolate is made by liquefying roasted cacao beans.
Gluten is a protein found in various grains like wheat, barley, and rye. However, some manufacturers may use ingredients with gluten in their java chips.
Again, ask your barista if the java chips they serve are gluten-free, or check out the packaging of the java chips you’re purchasing to see its gluten content.
What Are Java Chips Used For?
Java chips are named after coffee, for obvious reasons--as an ingredient blended with coffee drinks. They make coffee drinks sweeter and more chocolatey.
Thanks to their composition, they mix well with any drink. Below we discuss in detail what java chips are used for:
In Blended Drinks
This is the most popular way to use java chips. In fact, Starbucks named a drink after it called Java Chip Frappuccino.
They also use java chips with other blended drinks, which usually contain ice, coffee, milk, and syrup, to create a dessert-like drink that can satisfy any sweet tooth's craving.
The blended drink is usually topped with whipped cream and some more java chips for decoration.
In Baking
Apart from blending java chips with coffee, you can also use them for baking as a substitute for regular chocolate chips.
They can be used with different baked goods such as brownies, cakes, and cookies.
One important thing to note is that they don't give as much chocolate flavor as chocolate chips. So, only use them if you really don't have anything else to use.
Still, if you want to add more chocolate to your pastry without the chocolatey taste overpowering the whole thing, mixing java chips with regular chips can do the trick.
On Their Own Or With Ice Cream
The only downside of eating java chips as they are is that they aren't as flavorful as real chocolate chips.
However, some people dig that, so there's no problem. At the same time, you can also add them to some ice cream if there are no chocolate chips at home.
Just don't expect too much, or you might be disappointed.
Java Chip Vs Frappuccino Chips: Are They The Same?
The short answer is yes; they are the same. Starbucks trademarked the word 'Frappuccino,' which is why it's the only company that uses this word on the menu.
So, to make things more interesting, they used this trademarked term to rename java chips to Frappuccino chips.
The Starbucks Frappuccino chips are mainly for marketing purposes, so don't be confused if you see that term instead of java chips.
Lastly, only Starbucks is allowed to use the term Frappuccino chips; other coffee houses are legally not allowed to use it.
Popular Starbucks Drinks With Frappuccino Chips
If you're not aware that Starbucks has other drinks that contain java chips, you're not alone. But that doesn't mean you have to live this way!
We are here to help. We've looked at other coffee drinks with Frappucino chips to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Here are some of them:
Java Chip Frappuccino
Of course, the most popular Frappuccino drink is the Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino.
As the name implies, its main ingredient is java chips.
This is made by blending espresso, mocha sauce, milk, and java chips.
This blended drink is topped with whipped cream and more mocha sauce.
Think of it as a cookie and cream milkshake with a little bit of caffeine for your coffee fix.
Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
If you want a caffeine-free version of the Java Chip Frappuccino, the Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino is the one for you.
Its base syrup is a mocha sauce blended with java chips and milk and then topped with whipped cream and more mocha sauce.
This drink is perfect if you already have a lot of coffee and just want something chocolatey to drink at Starbucks. It's also perfect for kids.
Molten Hot Chocolate
If you want something to warm you up, the Molten Hot Chocolate is an excellent choice. It is made with mocha sauce and java chips, melted into steaming hot milk for a smooth and creamy taste.
To top it off, mocha and espresso-infused whipped cream and mocha drizzle is added to the drink.
Peanut Butter Frappe
This seasonal drink is perfect for those who love nutty and chocolate flavors. The Peanut Butter Frappe closely resembles the taste of Reese's peanut butter cup--very nostalgic!
It's made with peanut butter flavored sauce and java chips and topped with whipped cream. It is blended with more chocolate sauce for extra sweetness and richness.
The best part? The peanut butter sauce is made with sunflower seeds, so it's allergen-free!
S’mores Frappe
S'mores is an excellent camping dessert; if you're craving it, you don't need to go camping anymore. A quick trip to Starbucks can satisfy this craving.
The S'mores Frappe is made by blending cold brew, ice, milk, and java chips. To make it taste like the real deal, it is topped with graham cracker crumbs, toasted marshmallows, and mini chips.
Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappe
Another drink for chocolate lovers is the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappe.
It is made with frap roast, chocolate syrup, milk, java chips, and some cookie crumbs, usually Oreo cookies or other chocolate-flavored cookies, blended with ice.
It is then topped with more cookie crumbs and whipped cream. It's a must-try dessert drink!
How To Make A Java Chip Frappuccino With Chocolate Chips
If you want to recreate this drink at home, follow our recipe below:
What You’ll Need:
Instructions:
- 1Prepare your coffee. You can use instant, cold brew, or espresso coffee. Let it chill in the refrigerator. If you can’t wait, add ice directly to it.
- 2Loosely drizzle the cup with chocolate syrup and set aside. You can put the glass in the freezer while preparing the drink.
- 3In a blender, add ice, coffee, milk, java chips, and chocolate syrup. Secure the lid and blend it on low speed for around 30 seconds. Then, put it on max speed for 20 seconds until the mixture is evenly smooth.
- 4Pour it into the glass and top it with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and java chips.
Frequently Asked Java Chip Questions
Are there any java chip substitutes?
Yes, there are. If you’re just looking for something to substitute the chocolate flavor of java chips, chocolate syrup and cocoa powder can do the trick.
But if you need something crunchy and sweet, semi-sweet chocolate chips and bar chocolate are great alternatives.
Do java chips have caffeine?
No. While its name may imply it, java chips aren't made with coffee. Instead, the main ingredient is chocolate.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can enjoy java chips and not just as a blended drink. Now that you know what they are, you can incorporate them into your recipes.
Just remember, they may not be as chocolatey as normal chocolate chips, so be careful when using them in recipes that call for a lot of chocolate.
Otherwise, you can use them as toppings on ice cream or eat them as is.
References:
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/218366/number-of-international-and-us-starbucks-stores/
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=163&showFR=1
