Coffee chillers hit the spot for tasting panel

GENESEE COUNTY
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
By Ron Krueger

Outside, the temperature was 85 degrees with humidity to match. Inside, The Journal's taste-testers were cool and collected as they sampled seven coffee chillers.

They smiled all the way through the tasting but absolutely glowed over several of the frozen treats.

The names promised icy satisfaction - Carmellita, Hazelnut Coolatta, Mocha Madness, Cappuccino MooLatte, Kahlua Mudslide Freeze.

Those names also imply that coffee is somewhere in the background. In the foreground are likely to be corn syrup, milk, ice cream, chocolate and assorted flavorings.

Cold coffee drinks are one of the fastest-growing beverage categories in North America, according to retail food trend-tracking groups. Coffee chains are the driving force, but convenience stores, gas stations and doughnut shops also are along for the ride.

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