Introduction:Manner’s latest pineapple-flavored iced americano sparked discussion after it adjusted its formula by removing sparkling water—yet, due to using only a single shot of espresso, the flavor turned out to be too weak. This article delves into actual customer experiences, analyzing factors such as coffee concentration, dilution from ice cubes, and the brand’s new product strategy, offering consumers purchasing insights and uncovering the reasons behind a string of recent unsuccessful product launches.
The most significant change in Manner’s newly launched pineapple iced americano is the removal of the previously criticized sparkling water, replaced with plain water as the base. While this modification eliminates the sharp effervescence, the drink now contains just one standard shot of espresso, resulting in noticeably weak overall flavor. Many customers reported that even when offered free additional espresso by staff, the improvement was minimal, leaving those who expected a refreshing yet flavorful taste deeply disappointed.
The refreshing profile of this new drink did indeed become a focal point of discussion. Some customers appreciated its non-cloying quality, but many others felt it was “too refreshing,” lacking the depth typically expected from coffee. Especially as the ice melted, the already minimal coffee concentration from a single shot was significantly diluted, making the flavor approach that of plain water, and the pineapple notes became nearly imperceptible. According to regular customers, Manner’s previous fruit-infused americanos typically used double shots of espresso, highlighting a strong coffee presence, whereas this new release clearly reduced the amount of coffee used.
Some on-site customers mentioned being asked by baristas if they wanted to add more espresso while waiting for their drink—a proactive offer that was reportedly uncommon in the past. In fact, this may have been in anticipation of potential complaints due to the single-shot formula. Even when customers opted for the extra shot, many online users noted that the flavor improvement remained unnoticeable, with comments such as “not bitter, not sweet, not sour” and “I specifically chose the free extra shot, but it’s still weak,” reflecting widespread disappointment with the adjusted recipe.
This incident has triggered not just criticism of a single product, but has also led many loyal customers to question Manner’s recent product development direction. From the previous Green Tonic to the current pineapple iced americano, several consecutive new releases have failed to meet expectations, causing once-loyal customers who would “blindly try new flavors” to start keeping their distance. One netizen bluntly stated, “This isn’t worth releasing,” showing clear concern over the brand’s innovation capabilities.
Notably, some consumers have also questioned Manner’s ingredient usage, speculating that the decision to use only a single shot might be due to cost or limited raw material inventory. Although unconfirmed by the brand, such speculation does reflect growing consumer skepticism about the brand’s reliability. Manner, once praised for its rapid and innovative offerings, is now facing reevaluation of its product development abilities following a series of underwhelming new products.
For customers wishing to try this pineapple iced americano, it is recommended to either request an extra shot on-site or adjust the flavor with syrup yourself. However, if you’re expecting a rich and bold coffee experience, this new product may currently fall short of satisfying traditional coffee enthusiasts. Manner’s latest product controversy serves as a reminder to all coffee brands: while innovation is important, balancing fundamentals with consumer expectations is even more crucial.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
