Imagine biting into your favorite Pumpkin Loaf at Starbucks, only to discover something that’s definitely not on the ingredients list—a full-sized grasshopper.
That’s exactly what happened to TikToker Teryn (@teryn1989), who shared her shocking experience in a now-viral video.
The post has already garnered over 380,000 views as people weigh in on whether Starbucks handled the situation properly.
What Happened?
In her video, Teryn tells her story using a series of pictures and videos. It starts with a simple Starbucks receipt from August 1, showing her order for one warmed Pumpkin Loaf.
But things took a disturbing turn when, on her last bite, she spotted something sticking out of the loaf—a grasshopper leg.
“I got my usual caramel macchiato and pumpkin loaf. When I was on my last bite, I found a huge grasshopper,” she explains.
She included photos showing just how large the grasshopper was, even comparing it to a quarter to emphasize the size. Teryn says she immediately called Starbucks to report the bug, and the company offered her a refund and a $20 gift card. But was that enough?
Teryn asks her viewers, “Let me know if you think they should’ve done more for me.” She then ends the video with a clip of her carefully pulling the insect out of the loaf with two toothpicks.
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Viewer Reactions: ‘Call Corporate’!
The comments section was buzzing with responses. Some people were ready to rethink their bakery orders at Starbucks. One person wrote, “Now I’m gonna check my loaves.”
@teryn1989 Starbucks story time! #starbucks #pumpkinloaf #gross #coffee@Starbucks @KTLA5NEWS @News5 @NewsViral @News Updates 🌎 @Public Health @Starbucks Partners #news #ktla #ktla5news @instagram #instagram #viral ♬ original sound – teryn1989
Another viewer questioned Starbucks’ response, asking:
“Did they even say they were gonna contact the warehouse that ships it? These things are packed separately in bags. I don’t think $20 was good enough.”
Others, including apparent Starbucks employees, chimed in with some insider info. One user shared, “When I worked at Starbucks, the loaves were all pre-made and came frozen and prepackaged. I would call corporate about that!”
Another commenter reassured Teryn, saying the problem likely came from the distribution center, not the individual store: “Starbucks doesn’t make pastries in-house, so your location should be safe still.”
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Are Starbucks Loaves Pre-Made?
This isn’t the first time people have raised concerns about Starbucks’ bakery items. In fact, a Reddit thread from a Starbucks barista recently shed some light on how their food is handled.
According to the post, many customers mistakenly believe that Starbucks prepares its food fresh in-store. The barista wrote, “We do not make our food by hand… ITS FROZEN Y’ALL.”
The barista added that they’ve had customers refuse to come back because they thought their food was poorly made. But the truth is, everything comes pre-made, and the baristas simply reheat it.
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Pumpkin Loaf Problems Are Not New
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Starbucks’ Pumpkin Loaf has raised eyebrows. Another customer went viral after noticing the “produced by” date on the packaging of her loaf, which indicated it was produced six weeks before she purchased it.
“How long is the shelf life?!” she asked in her TikTok video.
A barista later explained that baked goods at Starbucks are shipped frozen and thawed the night before sale. They’re then good for two days before being donated.
The barista also mentioned that, unless requested, bakery items are given in their original plastic packaging due to COVID-19 protocols.
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Was Starbucks’ Response Enough?
While Teryn did receive a refund and a $20 gift card, many people feel Starbucks could’ve done more, especially considering the size of the insect found in her loaf. What do you think? Should Starbucks have handled this differently?
One thing’s for sure: people will be giving their Pumpkin Loafs a closer inspection from now on.