McDonald's Pistachio Cloud Iced Coffee review

McDonald's Pistachio Cloud Iced Coffee ☁️☕

The moment I saw this Pistachio Cloud Iced Coffee on McDonald's menu, I knew I had to try it! It combines two of my favourite flavours: pistachio and coffee. And this did not disappoint at all!

In fact, for a limited-time menu item, this coffee has been available on McDonald's and McCafé menus for over two months, and I'm so glad it has stuck around for this long! I hope it becomes a permanent item because it tastes so good!!

First impressions:

• The perfect pistachio flavour: Just the right amount of pistachio flavour without tasting artificial.

• Sweet rather than savoury: The pistachio cream is sweet, so if you're hoping for a salty pistachio flavour, this might not be for you.

• A fun cloud effect: The pistachio-flavoured cream slowly sinks and melts into the coffee as time passes, creating a fun visual transformation.

• One minor downside: Drinking too much of the foam on its own leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste and a thin film on my tongue.

The flavour

When I first ordered it, I was a little nervous. What if the pistachio tasted artificial? What if the pistachio flavour was too light?

But I'm glad that the moment I tried it… it was perfect! ❤️

It has just the right amount of pistachio flavour, and it definitely doesn't taste artificial. However, it is on the sweeter side, so if you're a pistachio fan who prefers a more savoury or salty pistachio flavour, this might not be the drink for you.

The coffee itself is strong enough to hold its own, since it uses a black coffee base. The pistachio-flavoured foam provides all the sweetness and creaminess, which I think works really well! You get that strong coffee flavour balanced by the sweet, nutty pistachio cream, without the coffee itself needing to be sweetened or made creamy.

For me, though, the combination of pistachio and coffee works beautifully! ❤️

Why is it called "Cloud" Coffee?

The reason it's called Cloud Coffee is that, as you drink it or simply let it sit, the pistachio-flavoured cream slowly sinks into the coffee and melts away like a cloud.

This is definitely a drink where you can take your time and "wait till you get home" instead of racing against the clock! The longer you leave it alone, the more the cream mixes into the coffee.

Of course, you can always grab a coffee stirrer and mix it yourself, but there's something fun about watching the foam slowly sink into the coffee and seeing the drink transform. ☁️

My one complaint

My only complaint is the slightly bitter aftertaste I get when I drink too much of the foam on its own. It also leaves a thin film on my tongue, which I'm not particularly fond of.

So, if I'm in a rush, I'll mix the foam into the coffee myself. If I'm not, I'll just let the foam settle naturally and enjoy watching the cloud slowly disappear into the coffee.

Conclusion

I absolutely love this Pistachio Cloud Iced Coffee! ❤️ The strong black coffee pairs beautifully with the sweet pistachio cream, and the cloud effect makes drinking it a little more fun than your usual iced coffee.

My only real complaint is the slightly bitter aftertaste and film left on my tongue when I drink too much foam on its own, but that's easily managed by letting it settle or mixing it into the coffee.

For a limited-time drink, this one has really impressed me. It's been around for over two months, and I'm still hoping McDonald's will make it a permanent menu item. Because honestly… pistachio and coffee are such a good combination!

Score: 8.9/10
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/pistachio-cloud-iced-coffee-medium.html

Rootalive Chicory Mushroom Coffee review

Mushroom blend Coffee alternative

🌿 Trying Mushroom Coffee for the First Time

Mushroom coffee has piqued my attention, especially as someone who likes to try new things — and mushrooms 🍄 and coffee ☕️ are both big parts of my palette.

I first saw ads for mushroom coffee on TV and then stumbled upon this blend by Rootalive while shopping at Marshall’s. Naturally, curiosity won.

ingredients and other information

☕️ Description by Rootalive

“Our chicory mushroom blend is a perfect alternative to coffee. It is powered by chicory root, which contains high amounts of inulin, a prebiotic soluble fibre that feeds your digestive flora. It also contains high-quality organic mushrooms known for their restorative properties. Indulge in a delicious, well-rounded cup of this calorie-free blend to satisfy your coffee cravings.”

The ingredients are very straightforward:

Instant Chicory Powder, Organic Mushroom Powder Blend (Organic Cordyceps, Organic Reishi, Organic Lion's Mane, Organic Shiitake, Organic Turkey Tail, Organic King Trumpet).

It looks earthy

🍄 Ingredient Benefits

Chicory – Known for its prebiotic properties that support gut health, improve digestion, and promote healthy gut flora. It may also help regulate blood sugar levels and support liver health.

Organic Cordyceps – Enhances energy and stamina, supports oxygen utilization, and may improve endurance and athletic performance. It’s also believed to help combat fatigue and support respiratory health.

Organic Reishi – Often called the “mushroom of immortality,” it helps boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and improve sleep and stress management.

Organic Lion’s Mane – Known as the brain mushroom, it supports cognitive function, focus, and memory. It may also help with nerve regeneration and mood regulation.

Organic Shiitake – Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune and heart health. It can also help lower cholesterol and promote glowing, healthy skin.

Organic Turkey Tail – Packed with powerful antioxidants and immune-boosting polysaccharides (PSK and PSP) that strengthen the body’s natural defences and support gut microbiome health.

Organic King Trumpet (King Oyster) – Supports cholesterol management, bone strength, and antioxidant protection. It’s also high in ergothioneine, an amino acid that helps protect cells from oxidative stress.

☕️ Directions

Add 2 teaspoons to 8–10 oz of hot or cold water, blend thoroughly, and enjoy! You can also enhance it with milk, creamer, or a natural sweetener.

(Note: Natural ingredients may cause some sediment to form — that’s totally normal.)

✨ First Impressions

Naturally, I was curious to see how it would taste, especially since mushroom coffee has such a reputation for being either surprisingly good or… an acquired taste. So, I made my first cup and here’s what I noticed:

• It tastes very strongly of mushrooms — earthy, deep, and slightly bitter.

• It reminded me a bit of Chinese herbal medicine, probably because of the Reishi mushroom.

• Milk makes a huge difference! Adding milk completely transformed the flavour, making it smooth, comforting, and easy to drink.

• It feels nourishing — my body genuinely felt calm and refreshed afterward.

🌸 Overall Thoughts

To my surprise, I actually enjoyed it, especially once I learned how to balance the flavour with milk. The experience feels grounding, and I like how it gives a gentle sense of focus without the usual coffee jitters.

Overall, my first impression was mixed but interesting; it’s definitely an acquired taste. The earthy flavour was much stronger than I expected, and the Reishi gave it that slightly bitter, medicinal note often found in traditional Chinese herbal tonics. However, once I added milk, the entire experience transformed: the taste mellowed, became smoother, and more balanced. With milk, it became something I actually enjoyed sipping slowly, especially in the afternoon when I needed a gentle pick-me-up without the caffeine jitters.

Chicory Mushroom Coffee with milk

☕️ Conclusion

After finishing my first cup, I can say that while mushroom coffee might not completely replace my usual morning brew, it has earned a spot in my rotation for calmer days. The health benefits are undeniable: from boosting focus to supporting gut and immune health, and I genuinely feel good knowing what’s in it. I find myself wanting to drink it again, especially with a bit of oat or almond milk. It’s definitely one of those drinks that grows on you over time: earthy, grounding, and surprisingly comforting once you get past the first sip.

It’s funny how trying something new can remind you that comfort and wellness can come in the most unexpected forms, even in a cup of mushroom coffee. 🍄☕️

I was able to finish it after adding milk!

Score: 9.0/10
Website: https://www.rootalive.com/products/chicory-mushroom-blend?srsltid=AfmBOop-BGGAF34o_Cwd3R6HVdocCRm1MJmbb7375I_hIQombjTw6ttQ

Doutor’s こんがりうす焼トースト review

Doutor is one of the most popular coffee chains in Tokyo. Their coffee is one of the local favourites in Tokyo. You can find a Doutor at most places around Tokyo. Since it is a local favourite, it is no wonder they would start selling products under their name using their famous coffee taste.

The title, こんがりうす焼トースト, literally translates to thin toast crisps. 

[栄養成分] 1袋（52g）当たり
エネルギー：248kcal / たんぱく質：4.9g / 脂質：10.1g / 炭水化物34.3g / 食塩相当量：0.68g

[Nutritional information] per bag (52 g)
Energy: 248 kcal / Protein: 4.9 g / Lipid: 10.1 g / Carbohydrate 34.3 g / Salt equivalent amount: 0.68 g

inside of the package

impressions:

• sweet, but not too sweet
• toast taste on one side
• sweet coffee sugar (similar to cinnamon toast crunch... but with coffee) on the other side
• addictive
• literally tastes like plain toast (if you take off all the sweet coffee sugar)

the actual product

I really liked these... I couldn't stop munching on them... they were really good and make a good snack, the whole bag is only 248 calories and only ¥100/bag.

Score: 9/10
website: https://www.doutor.co.jp/business/wholesale/snack/57_42.html

Olive Garden Review

I have heard many MANY positive reviews about Olive Garden, so out of curiosity  I decided to try it. I only have 2 things to say about this place: Great Service and Delicious food! I have found one of the best Italian restaurants I have and ever will encounter. The prices are extremely reasonable, the food is in large portions, the staff are extremely friendly and  the most important thing, the food is very delicious!

Zuppa Toscana

They had a meal combo available, so it was much easier to choose from the various choices they had. We were a company of three, so we ordered three meal combos, that way we can share and try different foods. The first we ordered was Zuppa Toscana and salad. Since I am not a huge fan of salads, I cannot comment much other than to say the salad was fresh and had a lot of ingredients inside (e.g. various lettuces, olives, peppers, etc). The soup, Zuppa Toscana was my surprise, it is one of the best Italian soups I have ever had! Either I have not really had a chance to try different types of Italian soups (other than the "basic" ones such as Italian Wedding and other various types of tomato based "Italian soups", come to think of that, I am not even sure if the soups I have tried were authentic, or just fusions of the original) nonetheless, I enjoyed EVERY sip of that soup, it was cream based and contained Italian Sausage, Kale/Spinach, bacon, etc. each ingredient played it's part well. 

complementary garlic bread sticks

Olive Garden was very considerate to providing us with complementary garlic bread sticks. It was very fresh and buttery, they even let us bring it home after, which was very nice and thoughtful of them. And, of course, this way, no food is wasted!

Grilled Chicken Toscana

We ordered Grilled Chicken Toscana as one of the combos. It was very tasty, the chicken had a wonderful grilled tasted and it was seasoned so well! They paired it with a kind of cheese Risotto  and some spinach on top. Most importantly, the dish was served very hot. The Chicken was very tender and smooth. 

Parmesan potato crusted chicken

The next thing which came was Parmesan Potato crusted Chicken. I was very impressed with the quality of this dish, just like the grilled Chicken the 

Penne di mare 

Experience tells me to never order seafood at any Italian restaurant, however, I am glad I decided to order ONE dish which contained seafood. Unlike most Italian restaurants I have been to, Olive Garden's seafood dish (Penne Di Mare) had large quantities of seafood (as described on their menu) and the seafood was FRESH!

Chocolate moouse cake

For our combo, we order 2 chocolate moouse cakes and one caramel hazelnut macchiato. I am so glad we ordered these two choices because they were really good. The chocolate moouse cake was delicious, unlike most "Caucasian" places, it's cake was not very sweet (which is good). I liked the presentation too. Though it doesn't look like a lot in the picture, it was more than enough after such a heavy meal.

caramel hazelnut macchiato

For our other choice of "dessert" we ordered Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato. Never in my life have I heard of Macchiato, so out of their selection of Lattes, Cappuccinos, Expressos, etc. I decided to take my chances and try this Macchiato. I do not know coffees enough, but this is one coffee I would definitely try again (when I get the chance to). If I had to describe this drink, I would say it is a cross between a latte, cappuccino and some other type of coffee, but the mix is so well blended that it tastes far better than Cappuccino and Latte.

I would give Olive Garden a rating of 10/10!