If you’ve seen a Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino, you’re familiar with the cute java chips sprinkled on top. You might think they’re the same as chocolate chips, but they aren’t.
Java chips are chocolate chips that contain less cocoa. They are made specifically for coffee. Compared to standard chocolate chips, java chips blend and melt much easier.
This article will explain exactly what java chips are made from and what they are best used for. You will soon see why those java chips make for a perfect addition to your coffee.
Table of Contents
What are Java Chips Made from?
Like chocolate chips, java chips are made using sugar, cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and milk. The main difference between the two is the amount of cocoa used.
Java chips have about 12% cocoa. Because this falls below the 15% cocoa standard that qualifies as chocolate, some people don’t consider java chips true chocolate.
On the other hand, chocolate chips have 50-58% cocoa.
This is why java chips won’t be quite as chocolatey and sweet as chocolate chips. Instead, java chips resemble the flavor of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
And despite their name, java chips do not contain much caffeine. Because of the low amount of cocoa, the amount of caffeine in java chips is very low.
What are Java Chips Used for?
The primary purpose of java chips is to blend in coffee drinks. Because of the reduced cocoa content, it blends and melts easier than standard chocolate chips.
You can add java chips to any coffee drink to give it a rich chocolate flavor. Coffee shops like Starbucks will also use them as a topping on whipped cream to add sweetness to a drink.
While java chips were designed for coffee, you can use them in baking for a chocolate flavor. Many people will also use them as a topping or decoration on ice cream.
Just remember they won’t be quite as sweet as normal chocolate chips if you use them for baking.
Do Java Chips Taste Like Coffee?
With a name like java chips, you might be assuming that they taste like coffee. But that is not the case.
Java chips will not taste like coffee. They will taste like a less sweet version of chocolate as their main ingredient is cocoa.
The only reason java is in the name is that they were created to be used in coffee drinks.
So don’t let the name confuse you. Java chips will taste like semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Java Chips Size vs Chocolate Chip Size
Another factor that sets java chips apart from chocolate chips is the size of the chips.
Java chips will often be much smaller than chocolate chips. This is because they are designed to be consumed through a straw with coffee.
The small size makes them easier to melt and blend in drinks than standard chocolate chips.
While its size has a functional purpose, it also makes for cute and small décor on any coffee drink.
Who Should Try Java Chips?
Java chips are great for people who love chocolate flavors. If you’re a mocha person, then odds are you will enjoy the flavor of java chips.
Java chips are also great for people who don’t tend to enjoy the natural bitterness of coffee.
The semi-sweetness of the java chips can mellow out the bitterness of the coffee to enhance its flavor.
And if you’re using your coffee as a dessert in the evening, adding java chips can really elevate the experience.
The Best Java Chip Drinks
While you can use java chips in any coffee drink, they are most commonly used in blended iced coffee.
Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino is one of the most popular drinks with java chips. This drink blends coffee, whole milk, mocha sauce, java chips, and ice to create a chocolate masterpiece.
You can also get pre-made “java chip” drink mixtures. These mixtures typically contain a form of instant coffee blended with java chips.
While java chips are commonly added to iced coffees, you can easily melt them into your hot coffee to spruce it up.
Where Can You Buy Java Chips?
Unfortunately, at this time, plain java chips are hard to find for a regular consumer.
You can sometimes find them at specialty coffee stores or distributors. But you won’t typically be able to walk into your standard coffee shop and find a bag of java chips.
Because Starbucks has trademarked the term Frappuccino Chips for their java chips, they may sell their java chips to the public in the future.
You may also ask your barista if you can purchase a handful of java chips at Starbucks. Some will allow this, while others will not. But it’s always worth asking.
Final Thoughts
While java chips look similar to chocolate chips, they are different. Java chips are a type of chocolate chip made using less cocoa that was designed for coffee beverages.
Java chips are primarily used to blend and melt in coffee drinks. But they are also used as decoration on top of many coffee drinks.
Despite their name, java chips do not taste like coffee and have an insignificant amount of caffeine. They will taste like semi-sweet chocolate.
Java chips can be used in baking as a chocolate chip substitute. But remember, they will not provide as sweet a flavor as chocolate chips.
People who enjoy chocolate flavors or don’t like the bitterness of coffee is likely to enjoy java chips. Now you are a full-fledged java chip expert equipped to blend java chips into any coffee beverage.
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