Interestingly, it likely has to do with the company's pledge to cut its water footprint in half by 2030, as the ice switch rollout is expected to wrap up within the next few years nationwide. It seems that pebble ice machines use less water to make the ice, as the unique shape and texture of the chilly nuggets (officially called "Chewblets") is achieved via the Follet Nugget Ice Machine, giving it a porous and airier composition with a softer, chewable feel. In fact, it's the same kind of ice favored in hospitals and nursing homes to give to patients who may be ill, dehydrated or have trouble drinking water.
That usage has not gone unnoticed by the masses—"God no not the hospital ice for coffee," bemoaned one Redditor. "Noooooo! I hate this ice. It reminds me of ice you get at hospitals," agreed another.
Fans Comment: 'Terrible For Coffee'; 'That Looks Like Some Quality Frozen H2O!'
While many are concerned about the change—"I love that ice but it’s terrible for coffee...melts fast and waters down the drink," noted one Reddit user—others are excited about the ice swap. "That looks like some quality frozen H2O!" said one excited Starbucks fan.
An ex-employee joked, "God if I still worked at Starbucks I know my a** would get caught in the back shoveling handfuls of this ice in my mouth." A current employee echoed the sentiment: "I can’t wait to snack on this my whole shift."
It remains to be seen what the response will be when the change actually hits nationwide. Many are asking relevant questions about how the ice will affect each drink—"I wonder if it’ll have any impact on beverage quality. Do Frappuccinos blend the same? Does the ice melt faster for drinks like the shaken espresso?" queried a Redditor. Another concerned poster shared the opinion that, "The recipes aren’t built for this type of ice, which will melt a lot faster and dilute the coffee and sweetness. The texture of the Frappuccinos will also probably be a lot different."
Only time will tell!