I have had a number of people ask me about the ingredients of the new Starbucks Almond Milk. Earlier this month, Starbucks announced that Almond Milk will be offered in stores, beginning in early September. (It is a 60 cent charge to use Almond Milk in any Starbucks beverage.)
Here are the ingredients:
INGREDIENTS: ALMONDMILK (FILTERED WATER, ALMONDS), SUGAR, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, SEA SALT, XANTHAN GUM, GUAR GUM, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D2 (ERGOCALCIFEROL).
And the nutrition facts are here:
On Friday August 12, 2016, I met with Yoke Wong, a beverage Research and Development team manager, and chatted with her about the Starbucks Almond Milk.
Starbucks created their own recipe for Almond Milk. It went through enormous internal testing to make sure that it was fortified with Vitamin D, that it steamed well, additionally, that it didn’t add a sugary sweetness to any beverage, allowing the flavor of espresso to come through. By the way, Yoke’s passion for the new Almond Milk came through in our meeting! I think it’s going to be her new go-to customization for Starbucks drinks.
The official Starbucks newsroom story mentions that the new Almond Milk will have only 3 grams of sugar per serving compared to the 12 or 13 grams naturally occurring in 2% milk. The difference is noticeable. While I at the Starbucks headquarters, I enjoyed two different beverages made with Almond Milk, and compared them to the same beverages made with 2% milk. The difference really is striking. That was one of the most striking things for me. I found myself gravitating away from the Almond Milk because it is so un-sweet in comparison to 2% milk. (I’m still working on taming my sweet tooth.)
Now you have the nutrition facts for Starbucks Almond Milk.
Enjoy!
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I can’t wait to try it when our store gets it!! I was curious about this, thank you for sharing the stats! 🙂
I’ve had it a few times now in an iced mocha. Replacing the milk with almond milk. It’s really good!
I take issue with the claim Starbucks is making about the difference between their almond milk and 2% cow’s milk. The issue with sugar, is not so much “naturally occurring” sugars (as in the cow’s milk) but in “added” sugar, which is what Starbucks is doing to their almond milk (added sugar is the 3rd largest ingredient). That’s the kind of confusing language “big food” uses so it’s kinda sad to see Starbucks use it. Next thing you know, they’ll also promote it as “cholesterol free.” 🙁
We make our own almond milk at home – just water and almonds – sometimes, vanilla, cinnamon, water and almonds, but that’s it. We don’t need and don’t prefer the added sugar. It would have been nice if Starbucks had left the sugar out completely and offered as an addition to sweeten it with their syrups (like some of their other customized beverages, including their recent chai test)
Kinda weird that McDonald’s is starting to remove sugar from some of their products and Starbucks is still adding it.
I’m wondering if the added sugar has to do with making sure it steams well?
Terrible news for the millions of people with nut allergies who could rely on Starbucks. We can’t go there now with friends, family and coworkers. Plus almonds are terrible for the environment. Starbucks can do better than this.
If only Starbucks could bring back its complimentary milk option again…
I’m really excited to see another plant milk option!! Although i also wish that it was free to gold level members the way soymilk was at one point.
They were obviously-finally- listening to customers request for this, and I’m thankful for any reason to choose an alternative to supporting the dairy industry (especially since starbucks no longer offers organic dairy).
Maybe coconut milk whipped cream will be next!!
Yes, almond milk is a great addition to the Starbucks option menu. However, how about adding unsweetened almond milk too? There is enough sugar in Starbucks beverages without the added sugar in the almond milk.
I agree the almond milk has too many additives. Sugar and tricalcium phosphate don’t sound like what I need
I love the flavor but am puzzled by something. My go to drink is cold brew. The almond milk apparently curds up, for lack of a better term, leaving little floating solids- much like you might see with a spoiled dairy product. I didn’t notice them the first few times I tried it, so when I did I assumed the milk was bad. The barista assured me that it was just the almond milk. Sure enough, I’ve seen it at other stores now. Perhaps I just notice it more depending on how much they add. Commercial almond milk, which I use at home, doesn’t do this. Anyone else notice this, and what is behind it?
I’ve noticed also that the nutrition facts on the Starbucks vary from the one above. For almond milk it states it has 8 grams of protein. I also wonder if stores vary because I still see alot of baristas pulling out the popular store brands when preparing the lattes. I’ve already restricted my Starbucks drinks down to an iced coffee no classic because of all the extra additives looks like not even the almond milk is safe anymore 🙁
I would love starbuck to have UNSWEETED almond milk, starbuck needs to let the customer choose if they want to add sugar or not