Is Starbucks’ almond milk sweetened? (Is it healthy, calories + more)
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Starbucks offers several non-dairy options for people who don’t want or can’t drink milk.
One of Starbucks’ options is almond milk, if you’re considering it but want to know if it’s sweetened or unsweetened, read on!
Will Starbucks’ almond milk be sweetened in 2022?
Starbucks’ almond milk is unsweetened, but as of 2022 it contains sugar. Starbucks’ unsweetened almond milk just means the company doesn’t add any sweeteners, but it does contain natural sugars. When you order an almond milk drink from Starbucks, the barista may sweeten the drink with sugar.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the almond milk Starbucks uses, including its sugar content, health benefits, and more!
Does Starbucks’ almond milk have sugar?
Starbucks’ almond milk has sugar but no added sugar.
That said, that means it only contains the natural sugars present in almonds, but the milk itself does not contain any added flavors.
According to Starbucks, its almond milk contains 3 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving, which is the size of a short.
Also, this amount is slightly higher than regular almond milk, which contains about two grams of sugar in eight ounces.
Still, Starbucks doesn’t add sugar to its almond milk until the barista serves it to you.
Additionally, Starbucks’ almond milk has the lowest sugar content of any other milk, whether it’s dairy (2%, whole, half, and skim) or plant-based (soy, oat, and coconut) of.
Additionally, Starbucks developed a recipe for the almond milk it uses and decided not to add any flavors or sugars so customers can choose how they want their drink to taste.
Is Starbucks’ almond milk healthy?
Most people agree that Starbucks’ almond milk is the healthiest option in the cafe.
That said, Starbucks’ almond milk has the lowest calorie content of any other milk at 7.5 calories per ounce, whether it’s dairy or plant-based.
As for sugar, the almond milk Starbucks uses has 3 grams per 8 ounces, the size of a short clip, and doesn’t contain any added sweeteners.
To better explain the difference in sugar content between Starbucks’ various milk options, here’s the sugar content of a tall latte without flavored syrup or whipped cream:
- Almond milk: 4 grams
- Coconut milk: 9 grams
- Soy milk: 14 grams
- 2% milk: 14 grams
- Skim milk: 14 grams
- Whole milk: 14 grams
- Half and half: 12 grams
- Oat milk: 11 grams
Additionally, calorie content is an important measure of how healthy something is, and here’s how Starbucks almond milk compares to other options above in the same serving size:
- Almond milk: 80 calories
- Coconut Milk: 110 calories
- Skim milk: 100 calories
- 2% milk: 150 calories
- Soy milk: 150 calories
- Whole milk: 180 calories
Where does Starbucks’ almond milk come from?
Starbucks has developed its own almond milk formula, so the company may have a private manufacturer.
According to a Starbucks R&D team manager, the company created the almond milk formula to go with its hot and cold frappuccinos.
That said, that means if Starbucks doesn’t have a manufacturing facility, it has an established manufacturer that makes almond milk based on its recipe and sells it only to Starbucks.
Does Starbucks have any unsweetened milk options?
Yes, Starbucks has several unsweetened milk options, as most of the company’s products, both plant-based and dairy, are unsweetened.
As far as I know, only Starbucks soy milk and coconut milk are sweetened; the rest are unsweetened.
Additionally, Starbucks uses Oatly oat milk, and while the company’s official stance is that its products do not contain any sweeteners, this has been challenged recently.
So, unsweetened doesn’t mean the product doesn’t contain any sugar; it means Starbucks doesn’t have any added sugar, so everything in it is natural.
In fact, the sweetened coconut milk that Starbucks uses has less sugar than unsweetened dairy products.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on what oat milk Starbucks uses, Starbucks sells decaffeinated iced coffee, and what is a Starbucks honey blend.
in conclusion
Starbucks’ almond milk is unsweetened, but still contains natural sugars.
Additionally, Starbucks chose not to sweeten or flavor almond milk, so customers have more say in the taste of almond milk beverages.
That said, Starbucks’ almond milk is the healthiest option because it contains less sugar and calories than all other alternatives, including coconut, oat, soy, 2%, skim, and whole milk.
Also, Starbucks developed its own almond milk formula, so you can’t buy it anywhere else because it’s probably only produced for Starbucks coffee shops.
