When I initially wrote about Starbucks selling Dream Pops in their Los Angelos stores, I did so thinking I’d never be able to taste the pops. I just liked the idea of their brand, and their aesthetic was mesmerizing enough to sustain my curiosity. But soon after the article’s publishing, I was offered a Dream Flight sample shipped to Missouri (a $45 retail price), so I wouldn’t have to feel like I was missing out. And I certainly wasn’t going to turn that offer down.
The pops were so good, I had to share the news.
So what are the flavors?
Included in my Dream Flight were the original flavors Berry Dreams, Coconut Latte, and Vanilla Matcha, as well as the brand-new Chocolate Lion. The brand also sells Mango Rosemary and Passion Jack pops, which look as vibrant and beautiful as the flavors I tried. In a recent press release, Dream Pops proclaimed their desire “to be the Willy Wonka of plant-based indulgences,” as “the first frozen dessert on the market to leverage proprietary technology, ergonomic design, a three-star Michelin chef and plant-based ingredients to rethink the notion of traditional ice cream.” But do their innovative design and explorative flavors live up to the hype?
How’d they taste?
In short, these coconut milk-based pops did not disappoint. They arrived in a tray of ten nestled within a box of Vericool (a more environmentally-conscious method of shipping refrigerated food), and I was immediately struck by the beauty in the simplicity of packaging. The pops themselves are the stars, displayed in clear casing molded to their three-dimensional diamond shapes. Upon opening the package, I placed the pops in the freezer for a few hours to re-adjust to not being outside in the 90+ degree St. Louis humidity. Then I waited not-so-patiently.
The first pop I tried was the Chocolate Lion, because I figured the combination of chocolate and Lion’s Mane mushroom would have to be pretty interesting. I could immediately taste the coconut milk base, which added a slight coconut aftertaste that continued across all four flavors. I really loved the chocolate flavor, which wasn’t the overpowering dark chocolate decadence that I am often accustomed to when eating chocolate ice cream.
I decided to follow with Berry Dreams, switching to the other side of the flavor spectrum with Dream Pops’ most sorbet-like flavor. The popsicle tasted like a creamy version of frozen strawberries, with a sweetness that felt decidedly natural (as opposed to overly sugary). I usually am not a huge fan of fruit popsicles, as I find them fairly watery, but again the coconut milk creaminess was a pleasant addition.
The next day, I returned for the Coconut Latte and Vanilla Matcha pops, which were much more similar than the flavors from the night before. The Coconut Latte was my favorite flavor overall—it tasted exactly like a smooth, solid version of a Starbucks Frappuccino, without the overly sweet syrup taste. I could’ve eaten an entire tray of these pops, and their miniature size (keeping portions under 100 calories each) was more of a tease than full satisfaction. Luckily, I had another flavor to try. The Vanilla Matcha was the creamiest flavor, blending vanilla bean and match powder together in an understated union that melted happily in my mouth.
Each flavor had the unifying presence of coconut milk undertones, but their distinct ingredients created four separate tastebud experiences. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and creamy each pop was, given the lack of milk, cream, or other traditional ice cream staples. While I wish these pops were a bit bigger, I thoroughly enjoyed each one and would love to be able to treat myself to another Dream Flight of Coconut Lattes.