Starbucks Hops On The Spice Train With Two New Sandwiches

Though better known for its (perhaps too) sweet drinks and pastries, Starbucks brings the spice with its two new sandwich offerings: Spicy Chorizo, Monterey Jack & Egg Breakfast Sandwich and Ancho-Chipotle Chicken Panini.

Sita Kacker, Starbucks product development manager, says, "We saw an opportunity to create sandwiches with bold flavors. Chorizo is popular right now and spicy is on trend, so this guided our direction," as quoted by a release.

Spicy Chorizo, Monterey Jack & Egg Breakfast Sandwich was envisioned as a recreation of an "All-American farmer's breakfast." "We thought about what it might be like to live on a farm, wake up really early in the morning and have a hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, potatoes and sausage," said Kacker. "We took all of these elements and put them together in a breakfast sandwich." The potatoes are incorporated into this sandwich in the form of artisan potato bread made with whole roasted potatoes and potato flour.

Ancho-Chipotle Chicken Panini features, "shredded chicken breast in ancho-chipotle sauce, fire-roasted poblano peppers, red onion, Gouda cheese and spicy cilantro pesto on a ciabatta roll." Jane Hernandez, Starbucks senior product developer, says, "The chicken is slow-cooked in spices and chili to infuse these flavors in the meat and make sure it stays tender and juicy. Fire-roasted poblano peppers and onions provide a smoky flavor and subtle sweetness."