Latest news with #Dannica
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- General
- Buzz Feed
Iced Matcha Lattes, Ranked: Starbucks, Dunkin', & More
Hi! I'm Dannica, I was a barista for four years, and I love matcha lattes and other matcha-flavored things. Previously, I went to different coffee chains and ranked their pumpkin spice lattes to welcome in fall, but now that we're about to enter summer's embrace, I'm back again to try iced matcha lattes from the most popular coffee chains in America. But first, ✨history check✨! Matcha is a type of green tea. It presents as a finely ground powder made from shade-grown tea leaves. Originating in China but now primarily associated with Japan, matcha was originally (and still is!) used ceremonially among Buddhist monks and others to promote mental clarity and meditation, and is believed to help medicinally due to the tea being high in antioxidants. However, matcha has grown outside of its spiritual and ceremonial role in recent years as it surged in popularity across the world, particularly captivating younger coffee and tea enthusiasts (me). Now, you can find matcha incorporated into things like donuts, breads, ice cream, cakes — and lattes. So, without further ado, let's get into our taste test, which I'm calling Matcha Madness™️. I went to five coffee chains: Dutch Bros, Dunkin', Better Buzz, Peet's Coffee, and Starbucks. Let's start! 5. STARBUCKS — Made with 2% milk and an unsweetened matcha powder, Starbucks puts the matcha powder and milk into a cold foam blender to gently incorporate the two together. If you do want your matcha sweetened, though, you can ask for some pumps of classic syrup or vanilla! OK, though the internet is telling me that Starbucks's matcha latte recipe is supposed to come with classic syrup, the one I got surely didn't. And even if it did, I honestly don't think it would've made a difference in the I mentioned before, I used to be a Starbucks barista, so I was around when the matcha powder WAS sweetened, and I thought it was pretty decent back then and didn't need any other added sweetener. So color me surprised when I took a sip of the ~updated~ matcha latte and found that not only was it unsweetened, but extremely bitter and watery!?Listen, I understand that matcha isn't naturally the sweetest thing in the world, but this put it plainly, not good. It was thin-bodied and tart, and almost just tasted like watered-down milk. Again, even if the drink was sweetened, you shouldn't need to rely on syrups to have a good matcha latte!• Price: $5.25• Rating: 2/10 🍵 Literally, here is the surprise coloring my face: 4. DUTCH BROS — Dutch Bros recently came out with a whole new matcha menu featuring several different flavors, but this is just a regular ole iced matcha latte featuring 2% milk. I'm going to assume that the matcha powder is sweetened because when I asked the baristas, they weren't sure (but I'm 95% sure it is). First of all, I didn't take a picture of what the latte looked like on the inside because there were so many people at the location I went to that I got stressed out, navigated my way out, went to a plaza across the way to park, and ultimately forgot. However, I will say that the consistency of the drink appeared less creamy and cloud-like than Starbucks's, but thin-bodied as well. Unfortunately, Dutch Bros didn't meet my expectations!The vegetal, grassy flavor from the matcha peeked through a little bit, but it was overshadowed by this strange apple-like flavor? It caught me off-guard — it almost tasted like a sour apple? I'm still unsure what I was tasting, TBH, but all I know is I didn't like it all that much. I'm sure that if I tried another specialty matcha drink that Dutch Bros offers, I would like it a whole lot more, but their regular matcha latte? Not the biggest fan.• Price: $5.65• Rating: 4/10 🍵 3. DUNKIN' — Honestly, I underestimate Dunkin' Donuts, because they ranked higher during my Pumpkin Patrol™️ taste test, too! Dunkin's iced matcha latte is made with, by default, a sweetened matcha blend and skim milk. Without a doubt, Dunkin's matcha latte is sweetened to the heavens. There's barely any dimension to the matcha because it's quite sweet, yet it's still a better drink compared to the last two, in my drink is more full-bodied, and judging by the foam on top, it appears the matcha was shaken in with the milk (like how Starbucks used to do it), which I like a lot I were in a rush and had to go through a drive-thru for a matcha fix, I honestly wouldn't shy away from pulling up to Dunkin'! And for a small being $4.99, it doesn't seem like too bad of a deal. Dunkin' Donuts, you have truly bewitched me, body and soul.• Price: $4.99• Rating: 6/10 🍵 2. BETTER BUZZ — Made with whole milk, Better Buzz's matcha latte comes with matcha sweetened and mixed with their Vanilla Buzz mix! Simply put, this was a good matcha latte. Despite it being sweetened, I didn't think the sweetness overpowered the matcha at all, and it was still able to shine. The matcha was incorporated with the milk seamlessly, creating a silky mouthfeel, and had a grassy yet sweet flavor, without it being too was depth to the flavor of this drink that I didn't taste in the previous chains I went to, but I do wonder how the drink would stand without the vanilla mix, which is why I put it at number 2! Also, additional points for the cutest brand theme.• Price: $5.49• Rating: 8.5/10 🍵 Well, look at that! We've reached the end of our matcha-tasting journey! Now, for the best iced matcha latte that I tasted. Drumroll, please 🥁🥁🥁... 1. PEET'S COFFEE — The undefeated champion, it appears! Made with whole milk, Peet's uses organic ceremonial-grade matcha, and it certainly tastes like it. No offense, but this matcha latte won by a LANDSLIDE. Not only does Peet's win based on using a higher-quality matcha, but the preparation of the drink really makes a difference in the taste.I was watching the barista making it (if you're reading this, you slayed so hard), and the matcha is made traditionally, which includes sifting the matcha and whisking it with hot water. The matcha was then mixed with milk, then topped with ice and a nice, creamy cold the youngins say, that thing was bussin'. The drink was subtly sweet and earthy, with almost a nutty flavor to it. The vegetal, grassy flavor came through, but without ever being overly bitter. The foam was an awesome touch and was creamy and silky, creating a really pleasant sipping experience. Peet, whoever you are, I love you.• Price: $5.35• Rating: 10/10 🍵 Whew, trying five matcha lattes in one day is surely not for those with a complicated relationship with dairy (me). Let's just say that, yes, I probably consumed a lot of sugar, and, no, I didn't end up sleeping well that night. Even so, I had so much fun on this matcha adventure! Of course, everyone has different preferences and taste buds, so feel free to make your own judgment and do your own Matcha Madness (just bring water and maybe take a nap in between). And remember, you can always ask your barista to modify your drink as needed! And that's a wrap! Where's your favorite place to get a matcha latte? Do you like to make yours at home, or do you go to a specialty place? Let me know in the comments, and we can talk all things MATCHA! Check out more AAPI-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Of course, the content doesn't end after May. Follow BuzzFeed's A*Pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest AAPI content year-round.
Buzz Feed
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
5 Asian-Inspired Foods I Tried At Disneyland For APAHM
Hi, I'm Dannica, and I recently went to Disneyland! I originally went because my friend is getting married at the end of the month, so we wanted to celebrate by having a little bachelor party at the happiest (and most expensive) place on earth, but turns out, the main point was that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! And as a Filipina American, I was extremely excited to find that Disneyland is celebrating the diverse cultures of AAPI folks through the thing that really brings people together: food. So, here are my honest opinions on the exclusive and seasonal items I tried at Disneyland and California Adventure to celebrate APAHM! Let's get started! 1. Matcha Float 🍵 — You can find this item in Adventureland at The Tropical Hideaway on the Disneyland side! It's a strawberry and mango swirl Dole Whip with matcha on the bottom, topped with white chocolate drizzle and toasted coconut 🥥. First, there were A LOT of people at the parks when I went, so my friends and I stood in line for this float for about 30 minutes (you can't order this on the mobile app, either, BTW). It was $9.29, which, even for Disneyland, seems quite steep. However, I will argue that there was a whole lot of good stuff going on in this float, and there was enough to share among the three of us. The strawberry and mango swirl Dole Whip was sooo refreshing, but the mango flavor definitely overpowered the strawberry, resulting in a tangy-forward taste. However, the earthiness from the matcha and the subtle sweetness from the coconut flakes really balanced the tanginess out and made the float come together. (Also, I'm literally just noticing that the float we got didn't come with the white chocolate drizzle!?!?)My only qualm with this dessert (aside from it missing an ingredient 😒) was that the matcha by itself was noticeably chalky, especially once we got to the bottom of the float. It wasn't super chunky or clumpy, but it felt powdery in the mouth. All in all, I'd get the matcha float again if the line wasn't long, but it's not something I would feel compelled to get again, especially for the price rating: 8/10 2. Miso Caesar Salad 🥬 — I saw this salad on the menu at The Tropical Hideaway as well, but I actually bought it at Bengal Barbecue, which you can also find in Adventureland. It comes with romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan, croutons, miso dressing, and a little cup filled with pickled cucumbers and pickled onions 🧅. I personally love a salad and don't think I've ever had a salad I didn't like before, and this miso caesar salad was no exception. I was a bit hesitant to try it because I'm honestly not that familiar with miso outside of the obligatory miso soup that normally comes with a lunch order at my local Japanese restaurant, but I'm glad I did!First of all, much like how the white chocolate drizzle didn't make it on top of the matcha float, the croutons meant to come with this salad were nowhere to be found. And again, I didn't notice until AFTER the fact. At this point, Mickey Mouse himself must've had something to do with it, but I digress. Even though there weren't any croutons, the salad as a whole was still very pleasant. The romaine was fresh and crunchy, the pickled onions and cucumbers were sweet with only a slight sourness, and the miso caesar dressing in the best way possible. In fact, the dressing carried the entire thing. The miso dressing wasn't what I was expecting because it was packing a bit of heat! I only knew miso as an ingredient that was a little salty and subtly savory (again, I've only known miss miso in soup form), so I was surprised when I tasted the creamy dressing and found it slightly spicy. I'm thinking from the close-up of the dressing that maybe there was some chili powder action or something, because it added a layer of flavor that completely elevated the the only downside of getting this salad is the portion size for the price. The portion given looks like it would be a side for an entrée, when in reality, it's $11.29 for the salad alone. That said, I don't regret trying it, but I'd probably spend my $12 rating: 7/10 3. Pulled Pork Slider Plate 🍖 — Also a seasonal menu item at Bengal Barbecue, this plate features three pulled pork sliders with coleslaw on what looks like Hawaiian rolls, paired with macaroni salad and a bag of Maui onion potato chips (not pictured) 🥔. For $18.99, I was expecting these sliders to be DELICIOUS. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Before we get into the sliders, though, let's have a moment for the macaroni salad, which was extremely peppery and not very creamy. The dressing was thin and a little soupy, and it had a touch of sweetness to it that was ultimately overpowered by the liberal dusting of black pepper. Honestly, if I had a choice, I'd probably pass on the macaroni salad. OK, now for the main event: It's not like the sliders tasted bad. In fact, I'm sure that for a lot of people, these babies are delicious. Though the pulled pork was tender and moist, I just couldn't bring myself to fully enjoy the marinade, which was sweet and vinegar-y — almost reminding me of adobo (which, hot take, I don't like).I thought that the already-sweet Hawaiian roll paired with the already-vinegar-y slaw weren't good matches with the pulled pork, and I think I would've enjoyed it more had there been a more savory or salty element to it. Again, I'm sure other people would enjoy this dish, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. It is a big portion, though, so it's definitely shareable!Overall rating: 5/10 4. Ube Cake Flan 🍮 — We found this flan in San Fransokyo Square from Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill at California Adventure! This dessert features vanilla flan with ube cake at the bottom. I've had ube flan many times because a lot of Filipino-owned bakeries in my area make them, so they're always at family parties. That said, I was super curious what Disneyland's take on ube flan would be, so for $7.49, I found out — and wasn't mad about it! If you're unfamiliar with flan, it's basically a sweet, baked custard dessert with a nice layer of caramel on top. And if you're unfamiliar with ube, it's a purple yam originating from the Philippines, typically used in an array of Filipino desserts due to its subtle nutty flavor and touch of sweetness. So, basically, combining ube with flan creates the most heavenly concoction known to the human race. At least, in ube flan cake definitely satisfied my sweet tooth, but it obviously didn't compare to the ube flan I've had from family-owned bakeries. I kind of wish there was a bit more of the runny caramel, and I wish I could've tasted the ube more. The cake itself was moist, though. It was a good little (and I mean LITTLE) dessert, but I think Disneyland's ube cake just lacked a Filipino auntie's touch and ❤️love❤️.Overall rating: 8/10 Before we get into the last (and best) thing I had at the parks, let's have a moment for the matcha soft serve from Cars Land's Cozy Cone Motel at California Adventure, which sold out before I could get a taste: *Sigh.* I know it's not anything wild, but I think I would've loved it. Lastly: The Passion Fruit-Orange-Guava Punch 🥭 — I feel like everything you need to know is in the name, but this drink is made with passion fruit juice, orange juice, and guava juice. It can be found at the Lucky Fortune Cookery, also in San Fransokyo Square, at California Adventure (also, peep the Baymax macaron, which was filled with a chocolate-hazelnut spread and buttercream 🤤). I know, I know. Seriously, Dannica, of all the things Disneyland offered, the best thing you had was a drink?! Yes, I love a silly little drink, arrest me!This drink was incredible, and I've been thinking about it every single day since I left the parks. It's so refreshing, fruity, and light, and you would think with all the different juices that it would be overly sweet, but no! The drink had the perfect ratio of tang, sweetness, and tartness. I would inject this drink into my bloodstream if given the chance. The drink was $6.29, which I honestly and obviously wouldn't mind paying again. I hope they keep this punch throughout the summer so I can possibly get it again!Overall rating: 10/10. And those were my eats! I'm sure there are a lot more foods Disneyland will be releasing for APAHM, so if you visit the parks and come across any foods that I didn't try, please let me know! I'm going back to Disneyland in July, so if you have any favorite treats or sweets you recommend, comment them down below! Catch y'all later! Check out more AAPI-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Of course, the content doesn't end after May. Follow BuzzFeed's A*Pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest AAPI content year-round.
Buzz Feed
04-05-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
As A Chicken Nugget Fanatic, I Tried These Nuggets From 5 Popular Fast-Food Chains — Here's My Definitive Ranking
Hello, BuzzFeeders, chicken nugget enthusiasts, and curious cats alike! I'm Dannica, and I enjoy nothing more than taste-testing foods and drinks and relaying to you all whether they're worth it or not. (You're welcome.) So, when I heard that Taco Bell was permanently bringing back their Crispy Chicken Nuggets to their menu, I just knew I couldn't mind my business. Taco Bell first introduced chicken nuggets at the end of 2024, but it was a limited-time menu item that apparently only lasted for a week until they sold out. But now that the Crispy Chicken Nuggets are officially back for good, I thought it would be a good idea to see how they stack up against other popular fast-food chains' nuggs: McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Jack in the Box. Dannica Ramirez P.S., I did not include chains that are famous for their chicken, like Chick-fil-A, Cane's, KFC, Popeyes, Wingstop, etc. That said, welcome to the ~Chicken Nugget Championship.~ Dannica Ramirez / Canva BTW, this is not my first rodeo trying and ranking chicken nuggets. If you're itching to learn my thoughts on KFC's and Wendy's saucy nuggets, feel free to take a gander. Here's the very professional rubric I made up to judge and rank the chicken: For fairness, I tried each nugget as I bought them to ensure they were still fresh and hot. So, without further ado, here's my ranking of chicken nuggets from worst (meh, kinda sad) to best (crispy deliciousness, give me 20 more): 5. JACK IN THE BOX: I've never had nuggets from Jack in the Box until now, and let me just say that they won't be my go-to menu item in the future (that title is reserved for the tacos). First, these nuggets are smaller than their other fast-food brethren. Like brothers from another mother, these are nuggets from another bucket, if you will. The breading itself was OK, but it wasn't as flavorful as the other nuggets on the list. In fact, it kinda just tasted a bit too salty for my taste. The chicken itself didn't taste like much, and the nugget as a whole was flat in taste and appearance, and lacked meatiness. There was barely any crisp, and to me, there was just too much to be desired for me to pick these up again. Dannica Ramirez However, let me just say that Jack in the Box's buttermilk ranch is amazing and instantly elevates this chicken nugget from, like, a two to a solid three. Too bad we're not counting sauces, though! 4. WENDY'S: Some of you may be surprised that Wendy's is toward the bottom of the list, but believe me, I am, too! I am a huge fan of Wendy's spicy nuggets, but the regular ones just don't keep up. Contrary to the ranking of these nuggies, I actually really love Wendy's (I loved the Krabby Patty Kollab meal). HOWEVER, the regular nuggets just don't hit the same as the spicy ones, and when compared to the other nuggs on the list, they just kind of pale into the background. Dannica Ramirez They had a decent crisp to them, and I do like how you can see the spices used in the breading, but despite that, they still lacked some flavor for me. Though the chicken wasn't super dry, it was overall lackluster. TBH, I'm still so surprised by this ranking that I'm trying to convince myself that it was just my batch of nuggs that happened to be mediocre. 3. BURGER KING: Now, I've honestly never really paid much attention to Burger King before because I've had no reason to, but after trying their nuggets, I might just have to pay them another visit. Burger King's nuggets are similar to Wendy's, but somehow better. They're surprisingly well-seasoned but not super salty, and the breading made for a nice crunch. You can visibly see the seasoning on the nugget, and I personally feel like I could eat them without any sauce because, though not the ~juiciest,~ they aren't even close to being dry! They certainly aren't the meatiest of nuggets, but for a four-piece being $2?! I'm not complaining. 2. TACO BELL: Please, please, PLEASE hear me out for a second. I was skeptical about trying these chicken nuggets because why wouldn't I be skeptical trying chicken nuggets from Taco Bell?? I honestly came into this taste test not having high expectations for them, but alas, I've been proven wrong. First of all, look at these things: Like, are these chicken nuggets or popcorn chicken?! Look at the size! The crisp! Anyway, I'm going to keep it transparent and say that I didn't think I liked these nuggets at first. I don't know if I was taken aback at first by the texture or the flavor due to how non-traditionally chicken nugget-y they were, but they truly ended up growing on me. First, these bad boys are VERY crispy. There was an audible crunch when I took my first bite, and it was in that moment when I thought, Does this even count as a chicken nugget?? Dannica Ramirez The chicken was juicy, and the nugget itself was very meaty, but what turned me off upon first trying it was the seasoning blend. Don't get me wrong, the nuggets are well-seasoned and have a lot of flavor, but I think I was just initially hesitant about the taste because I was expecting a regular schmegular-tasting nugget. But I should've known that if Taco Bell was going to release chicken nuggets, they weren't going to be basic! Apparently, these nuggets are actually marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and breaded with tortilla chips?! Fascinating. Just because these nuggets are new and I want y'all to have all the deets if you're considering trying them, you have three dipping sauces to choose from: Fire Ranch, Jalapeño Honey Mustard, and Bell Sauce. I tried all three, and the only one I liked paired with the chicken nuggets was the ranch. The other two sauces just had too much going on for me, but I do recommend trying all of them to see which one is your fave! Anyway, to keep it Sabrina Carpenter (short and sweet), I wasn't sure about the chicken nuggets at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized they were pretty good. Will Taco Bell become my go-to nugget place? Probably not, since I don't think it's an "everyday nugget" type of taste. But overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Well played, Taco Bell. 1. MCDONALD'S: Some of you will hate on me for this decision, but I don't care! To me, McDonald's chicken nuggets are just the epitome of everything a chicken nugget should be: crispy, good batter-to-chicken ratio, juicy, and flavorful. What I like most about McDonald's nuggets is the batter. It's a unique, tempura-esque batter that provides an airy and thin crisp like no other fast-food chicken nugget has accomplished. The chicken is juicy and flavorful; I personally think the nuggets can stand on their own and don't need a sauce. The nuggets are simple flavor-wise, but the texture is what really makes them for me. Dannica Ramirez (I also might be a little biased because getting McDonald's chicken nuggets after school when I was younger was always the highlight of my Fridays.) Whew, that was a lot of chicken. Just know I definitely had to take a long walk after all that to settle my stomach. Despite that, I had so much fun, and now I truly feel like a chicken nugget ~connosseur.~ Dannica Ramirez To recap, here's my final ranking and the prices for the lowest count of nuggets: 1. McDonald's: $2.99 (4-piece) 2. Taco Bell: $3.99 (5-piece) 3. Burger King: $1.99 (4-piece) 4. Wendy's: $2.69 (4-piece) 5. Jack in the Box: $2.59 (4-piece) And that's a wrap on the Chicken Nugget Championship! Let us take a moment for the crowning: For really good chicken (and non-chicken) meals, download the free Tasty app to explore our library of 7,500+ recipes without a subscription. BuzzFeed
