A Frappuccino, which is a registered trademark of Starbucks, is a blend of ice and usually a mix of coffee, water, milk, and various syrups. Starbucks has Frappucinos in a number of different flavors; some Frappucinos are based on tea rather than coffee.

The Starbucks website notes that it began serving the Frappuccino in 1995. However, the history of the Frappuccino dates back quite a bit further. A Boston-area coffee chain called Coffee Connection debuted a beverage called the Frappuccino several years earlier. The name was taken from a type of milkshake called a "frappe" that was unique to the New England area. (In much of New England, the word "milkshake" means milk with syrup that is shaken until frothy; a "frappe" is similar to what is thought of as a milkshake in the rest of the United States.) In 1994, Starbucks bought Bostons Coffee Connection chain. Some argue that the chain was purchased only for the Frappuccino recipe. Starbucks then premiered the Frappuccino nationwide in 1995.

Starbucks has kept the recipe of the in-store Frappuccino a closely guarded secret. Consumers who want to learn what specific ingredients are in the beverage - for example, due to food allergy issues - can call to ask if a specific ingredient is in the beverage. However, the ingredient list is not in Starbucks stores or on the Starbuks website. The Frappuccino bottled beverage sold in supermarkets does have an ingredients list; however, this beverage tastes different than the one sold in Starbucks stores, and most assume it is a different formula.

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