What Almond Milk Does Starbucks Use? Read and Find Out!

What Almond Milk Does Starbucks Use
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Almond milk is a delicious and nutritious choice that many coffee drinkers love. Have you ever wondered what almond milk Starbucks uses?

If so, you have come to the right place. In this useful guide, we will go over the type of almond milk used by Starbucks and provide you with an in-depth analysis of its nutritional information.

Then, you will be able to confidently place your next Starbucks coffee order with all of the information you need to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle.

What Kind of Almond Milk Does Starbucks Use?

As of 2021, Starbucks has been mainly using Califia Farms Barista Blend Almond Milk. This milk is shelf-stable, free of dairy, plant-based, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan.

However, depending on where you live, some Starbucks stores may use other brands of almond milk.

Califia Farms Almond Milk Barista Blend
Starbucks uses mostly Califia Farms Almond Milk

The almond milk offered by Starbucks is always unflavored and unsweetened. As such, customers can add the flavorings of their choice and sweeten each beverage depending on their personal preferences.

Starbucks almond milk is made using predominantly almonds and filtered water. However, it also contains guar gum, xanthan gum, tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, sunflower lecithin, vitamin B2, vitamin A, palmitate, and sugar.

This almond-based milk alternative is preferred by many people because it does not contain carrageenan. Carrageenan is an additive derived from seaweed. It is often used to emulsify and thicken certain dairy milk alternatives.

This ingredient may have potential inflammatory effects. As such, many almond milk drinkers appreciate the fact that Starbucks almond milk is free of carrageenan.

An array of tasty dairy-free beverages at Starbucks contain almond milk or can be made using it in place of cow milk.

Some of the most popular Starbucks almond milk drinks are:

  • Honey Almond Milk Flat White
  • Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato
  • Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
  • Honey Almond Milk Nitro Cold Brew
  • Iced Honey Almond Milk Flat White
  • Hazelnut Latte made with almond milk

Is it Healthy?

Whether almond milk is healthy for you will depend on your personal preferences and diet. Overall, Starbucks almond milk is a great option for those who drink almond milk already and want a quality option.

In addition, almond milk has the least calories of all Starbucks milk options.

With that being said, it is not the best choice if you are looking to load up on protein.

a glass of almond milk

For one thing, Starbucks almond milk is an excellent source of calcium. Additionally, unsweetened Starbucks almond milk is a great alternative to dairy milk.

So, if you are lactose intolerant, it may be a good option. With only 35 calories per serving (or 60 per cup), unsweetened almond milk is also plant-based and non-GMO. Plus, Starbucks almond milk is certified Kosher, vegan, and dairy-free.

If you want to compare the different vegan milk options available at Starbucks, take a look at the table below.

Nutritional values of plant-based Starbucks milk options (per one 8 oz cup):

Milk TypeCaloriesFatCarbsSugarsProtein
Soy Milk1304g16g13g7g
Almond Milk604g6g5g2g
Oat Milk1407g16g7g1g
Coconut Milk805g7g7g1g

Keep in mind that almond milk contains only about 2 grams of protein per 240 ml (1 cup). Compared to cow’s milk which contains 7 to 8 grams of protein per cup or soy milk (which is also high in protein), Starbucks oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are not particularly protein-packed.

Still, the brand of almond milk used by Starbucks is preferred by many almond milk consumers. This kind of almond milk is also often recommended by nutritionists.

With minimal ingredients and a rich, creamy flavor, this is a good choice for people who prefer almond milk over other dairy alternatives.

Is it Natural?

Compared to many other types of almond milk, Starbucks almond milk is pretty natural. It does not contain many additives or the emulsifier carrageenan.

However, it does contain guar gum, xanthan gum, and tricalcium phosphate.

Is Starbucks Almond Milk Sweetened?

No, Starbucks almond milk is not sweetened. However, it does contain natural sugar coming from the almonds.

One cup of almond milk from Starbucks has around 60 calories, 110 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates (3 grams of sugar), and 1 gram of fiber.

Is Starbucks Almond Milk Gluten Free?

Yes! Starbucks has many menu items that are free of gluten, and their almond milk is one of them.

So, if you are gluten intolerant or have Celiac Disease, you may want to consider opting for almond milk at Starbucks. The regular cow’s milk, soy milk, and coconut milk at Starbucks are also gluten-free.

With that being said, you should be careful what else you add to your drink. Some of the other ingredients at Starbucks do contain gluten. These include cereals and Java chips.

Final Thoughts on Starbucks Almond Milk

So now you know! Starbucks mainly uses Califia Farms Unsweetened Barista Blend Almond Milk.

This is a great brand of almond milk that is free of soy, dairy, and gluten. It is also non-GMO, kosher, vegan, and does not contain the emulsifier carrageenan.

Also, Starbucks almond milk is high in calcium and unsweetened. However, Starbucks almond milk still contains sugar and is low in protein. So, if you want high protein non-dairy milk with less sugar, you may want to choose soy milk or coconut milk at Starbucks.

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