I’ll admit it right off the bat: I approached Black Sheep Coffee’s new Banana Arcade range with a hefty dose of scepticism.
Not because I dislike coffee — far from it — but bananas? I’m a classic coffee kind of person.
Banana syrup in my latte? I wasn’t convinced. Yet, curiosity won, and I dived headfirst into the playful, retro-inspired menu.
First up was the Iced Banana Matcha Latte.
I expected the usual clash of flavours.
But what arrived was a revelation: smooth, ceremonial-grade matcha with just the right touch of banana sweetness, cooled perfectly over ice. It was refreshing, energising, and — dare I say it — oddly comforting.
The banana didn’t overpower the matcha; instead, it added a subtle, mellow warmth that worked far better than I imagined.
Next, the Banana Latte proved that warm classics could embrace a twist.
Espresso, banana syrup, salted caramel, and creamy milk blended into a mood-lifting, cosy drink that felt indulgent without being sickly. It’s one of those drinks that makes you pause, sip, and smile — a simple joy in a cup.
Feeling peckish, I moved on to the Vietnamese-Style Chicken Wrap and the Raspberry & Pistachio Acai Bowl.
The wrap was packed with flavour: tender chicken, crisp carrot and red onion slaw, fresh coriander, and soft tortilla made for a lunchtime win that was light, vibrant, and satisfying.
But the acai bowl truly stole the show.
Generous with frozen acai, fresh raspberries, and whole pistachios, it was both filling and energising — a far cry from the skimpy, Instagram-style bowls you sometimes get.
Every spoonful felt substantial, fruity, and nutty, a perfect companion to the playful Banana Arcade drinks.
By the end of my tasting, I was fully converted.
Black Sheep Coffee has crafted a range that balances nostalgia, creativity, and comfort perfectly.
Even a banana sceptic like me was won over.
With playful flavours, indulgent textures, and a spring-ready menu, the Banana Arcade drop is a bright, cheerful escape in the middle of the week — no cheat codes required, just a willingness to press play.
The new range includes six banana‑powered drinks — iced/hot lattes, matcha lattes, and frappes — plus three spring eats: Raspberry & Pistachio Acai Bowl, Honey Mustard Chicken Wrap, and Vietnamese‑Style Chicken Wrap.
