Caramel is a winning Starbucks flavor

Starbucks Ice Cream. Coffee, Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappuccino, and Java Chip Frappuccino, $3.99 per pint.

Bonnie: With a name like Starbucks, it's no surprise that these four new ice creams all contain coffee. There's plain Coffee, Caramel Macchiato (coffee and vanilla ice creams streaked with caramel), Mocha Frappuccino (swirled coffee and chocolate ice creams), and Java Chip Frappuccino (coffee ice cream with chocolate chunks). These flavors replace all other Starbucks ice creams, including its Frappuccino bars.

The Caramel Macchiato was the hands-down winner all three times I served these. All four contain between 210 and 250 calories, 13 to 15 total grams of fat and 19 to 21 grams of sugar per half-cup portion — modest compared to regular super-premium Haagen-Dazs, but similar to Haagen-Dazs Five. Haagen-Dazs Five, though, contains only five ingredients; Starbucks, unfortunately, lots more.

Carolyn: With a change in ice cream suppliers (from Dreyers to Breyers/Unilever) has come an almost total revamping of the Starbucks ice cream line. The Mocha Frappuccino is the only holdover flavor, but like these other three, its chocolate and coffee ice creams are swirled rather than blended. It is good but plain, and not that indulgent compared to other super-premium ice creams such as Ben & Jerry's and Haagen-Dazs, just like the Coffee flavor.

I like the two new Starbucks flavors with mix-ins much better: the Java Chip because of its dark-dark chocolate chips and coffee ice cream that is much stronger than in any of the other flavors, including the plain Coffee. The Caramel Macchiato, with its caramel syrup, is even more interesting and delicious, although it is less about its coffee.

Melissa's Shelled & Steamed Ready-to-Eat Fava Beans $3.49 to $3.99 per 12.3-ounce package.

Bonnie: Say "fava beans" and most people will remember Hannibal Lecter's line about a census taker: "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Fava beans deserve a better association, being low in calories (70), low in fat (0.5 grams), high in fiber (6 grams), and a good source of iron and protein (7 grams) per half-cup serving.

Like other dried beans, favas take a long time to soak and rehydrate. But you can use these new ready-to-eat fava beans right from the package. Just stir into brown rice or other whole grains, or add to salads or soups — preferably ones not containing liver!