There are so many amazing non-dairy milk options available for people looking for healthy alternatives. But few milk substitutes are more refreshing than sweet, creamy coconut milk!
Coconut milk has many health benefits and is incredibly hydrating. It goes great with coffee, fruity drink blends, and so much more.
So how good for you is coconut milk and what brands do popular coffee shops like Starbucks use?
If you like coconut milk and coffee, you have probably tried a few of the dairy-free coconut milk beverages offered at Starbucks. These drinks are super tasty and have a creamy, light finish.
If you have ever wondered what kind of coconut milk Starbucks uses for its drinks, you have come to the right place. That is precisely what we are going to discuss here!
Here’s everything to know:
What Kind of Coconut Milk Does Starbucks Use?
According to Starbucks Stories, the Starbucks company uses Single Origin Sumatra Coconut Milk in locations across the United States.
Traditional coconut milk is made by using only coconut meat and water but the Starbucks version contains many other ingredients as well. It is a type of coconut milk that has a pleasant, slightly sweet taste and is designed to mix well with various drinks from hot and iced coffee to tea.
This unique coconut milk can be found in many iced handcrafted beverages and espresso drink recipes at Starbucks. A few well-known drinks that include coconut milk at Starbucks are the Dragon Drink and the Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte.
Some of the Most Popular Starbucks Coconut Milk Drinks Are:
- Coconutmilk Cascara Latte
- Pina Colada Tea
- Coconutmilk Creme Frappuccino with Vanilla Beans
- Dragon Drink
- Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte
With that being said, most Starbucks beverages can be made with coconut milk as a substitute for regular cow’s milk as well. This is great news for lactose-intolerant people or anyone looking to avoid dairy.
However, one thing you should know before ordering your drink is that depending on where you live, there may be a 60-cent upcharge for switching to coconut milk.
Is Starbucks Coconut Milk Healthy?
Yes and no, depending on the health benefits you are seeking.
Coconut milk is a very hydrating and nutrient-rich non-dairy milk substitute. It has many vitamins and minerals but only about 1 gram of protein per 240 grams of liquid.
Coconut milk is also high in vitamin E, which is great for your hair, skin, and nails. Additionally, it has many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, Starbucks coconut milk isn’t pure as it contains water, emulsifiers, and many other compounds. This means it also isn’t as nutritious as real coconut milk.
You should also remember that coconut milk contains a bit more calories than almond milk. Yet, if you are trying to lose weight, coconut milk is still a great option as it has fewer calories than most other types of Starbucks milk.
Unlike other milk substitutes like soy or oat milk, coconut milk is comparatively dense and rich. One 12-ounce (Starbucks Tall size) beverage made with Starbucks coconut milk will contain about 80 calories from the milk itself.
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 Type | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soy Milk | 130 | 4g | 16g | 13g | 7g |
| Almond Milk | 60 | 4g | 6g | 5g | 2g |
| Oat Milk | 140 | 7g | 16g | 7g | 1g |
| Coconut Milk | 80 | 5g | 7g | 7g | 1g |
Other ingredients like syrups or powders have separate calories that you can calculate from there.
One good thing about the coconut milk used at Starbucks is that it’s vegan-certified!
Is Starbucks Coconut Milk Natural?
No, Starbucks coconut milk is not an all-natural choice.
Although there are many health benefits to this drink, Starbucks coconut milk contains food additives and some emulsifiers. While these ingredients are not necessarily harmful to your health, they can’t be considered organic or all-natural, either.
The ingredients of the coconut milk Starbucks use are coconut cream, water, cane sugar, tricalcium phosphate, natural flavoring, coconut water concentrate, sea salt, xanthan gum, carrageenan, corn dextrin, guar gum, vitamin A palmitate, and vitamin D2.
So as we can see, there is actually a large number of ingredients that have nothing to do with coconuts.
If you are looking for a more natural option, Starbucks oat milk is a good alternative.
Is Starbucks Coconut Milk Sweetened?
Yes, the coconut milk that Starbucks uses is sweetened with cane sugar. It has a sweet, light taste compared to whole milk.
Starbucks coconut milk has an estimated 10 grams of sugar in a 12 oz serving.
Final Thoughts on Starbucks Coconut Milk
So now you know what kind of coconut milk Starbucks uses.
In conclusion, it’s single-origin Sumatran coconut milk that is a tasty and dairy-free alternative. This coconut milk can be added to essentially any Starbucks drink for an additional charge.
This creamy coconut milk is a vegan-certified option. And since coconut milk is full of electrolytes, it’s also a great ingredient if you looking for a hangover drink.
However, it does contain sugar and is not all-natural. Still, if you want to enjoy the delicious creamy benefits of coconut milk, there’s no reason not to try it!
Some of the most popular non-dairy Starbucks drinks are made with this delicious plant-based milk.
Hopefully, this information will help you decide what drink to order the next time you frequent your local Starbucks coffee shop.
If you are interested in other dairy-free milk options available, you might want to read about what almond milk does Starbucks use.