There are many different types of oat milk in both sweetened and unsweetened variations. Oat milk can go wonderfully with coffee. However, you have to use the right brand for the best result.
Most signature Starbucks beverages can be ordered with oat milk instead of cow’s milk. So what kind of oat milk does Starbucks use, anyway?
Below, we will go over everything you need to know about the oat milk used at Starbucks. Then, you can decide if this is a good alternative for your next latte, macchiato, or iced mocha!
Or, you can start buying this exact brand of oat milk for making copy-cat Starbucks oat milk drinks at home.
What Kind of Oat Milk Does Starbucks Use?
Oat milk is plant-derived milk made using whole oat grains and water. It has a creamy texture and mildly oaty flavor notes.
Starbucks uses Oatly Barista Edition oat milk. This brand of oat milk is used at Starbucks stores in the United States and in many other countries to make a range of coffee beverages.
Oatly actually offers a range of oat milk options, but not all of them are ideal for making coffee drinks. The Barista Edition is specially formulated for making espresso beverages and teas. It can be used for iced drinks as well.
Oatly Barista Edition oat milk is made with a specific level of acidity, meaning it is thick, creamy, and excellent for mixed beverages. It foams beautifully and performs well when steamed or combined with coffee, tea, and espresso.
What type of drinks is it used for at Starbucks?
Oatly Barista Edition is also known for its ability to keep a smooth and consistent texture. Plus, it does not separate easily when mixed at high speeds or combined with hot ingredients.
As such, it is used for lattes, iced coffee drinks, and other coffee beverages. You can also choose to order these options with soy milk or almond milk.
Drinks made with Oatly Barista Edition oat milk include:
- Lattes
- Iced Lattes
- Macchiatos
- Espresso beverages
- Iced drinks
- Teas
As you can see, this thick type of oat milk can be used in astringent tea drinks and blended beverages.
Oatly Barista Edition is also micro-foamable, making it good for the hot air of a steamer spout or the frothy motion of a blender. Basically, if you order a drink at Starbucks and ask for oat milk instead of dairy milk, you’ll most likely get Oatly Barista Edition oat milk.
Why does Starbucks use Oatly Barista Edition instead of some other brand?
Other types of oat milk often become excessively frothy or separate easily when other ingredients are added. However, Oatly Barista Edition oat milk prevents this from happening by using regulated acidity and specific levels of unsaturated fat.
The Barista oat milk recipe replaces saturated fat with unsaturated fat to reduce instances of liquid separation. This has the added benefit of making the oat milk healthier for those looking to maintain or lower their cholesterol.
Is it Healthy?
Compared to many other types of milk, oat milk is typically healthy. This is true for most oat milk, including the Oatly Barista Edition used at Starbucks.
Generally, oat milk is good for you because it has lots of fiber and fewer calories than cow’s milk. There are exactly 59 calories in 100 ml of Oatly Oat Barista Edition oat milk. In 100 ml of whole milk, there are about 65 calories.
Moreover, oat milk is cholesterol free and contains numerous nutrients. Plus, it is packed full of fiber and plant-based protein.
Also, Oatly milk is known to have vitamin B12, an ingredient that can be hard for vegans to access.
These benefits help to promote a healthier digestive system. If you are lactose intolerant, oat milk is a great dairy substitute as well.
Take a look at the table below to compare the different vegan milk options available at Starbucks.
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 |
Specifically, Oatly Barista Edition oat milk is good for you because it has the above benefits and is also free of saturated fat. This means it may help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat is recommended if you are trying to maintain or reduce your cholesterol levels.
Is it Natural?
Compared to many other products on the market, Barista Edition oat milk from Oatly is pretty natural and wholesome.
Just like Dunkin’ oat milk, this kind of oat milk is made using primarily oats and water. Moreover, everything in Oatly Barista Edition oat milk is plant-based, free of GMOs, and sustainable.
There are no added oils, gums, or emulsifiers. However, there are a few preservatives used.
Is Starbucks Oat Milk Sweetened?
No, the oat milk used at Starbucks is not sweetened.
However, if you choose to order a drink that has other sweeteners in it, you will still get sugar in your beverage. So, if you want to enjoy a sugar-free drink at Starbucks made using oat milk, be sure to specify that when you place your order.
Is Starbucks Oat Milk Gluten-Free?
Usually, oat milk is considered a gluten-free product. In the United States, it is almost always gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease.
Plant-based milk derived from soy, rice, coconut, nuts, or seeds, will generally be gluten-free.
So, if you are in the US, you can expect your oat milk from Starbucks to be gluten-free.
The Bottom Line
All in all, Starbucks has a range of milk options for people with allergies or specialized diets.
When you order a Starbucks drink with oat milk, Oatly Barista Edition oat milk is used. It has a special formula with regulated acidity to ensure it is thick enough to accommodate the needs of baristas at Starbucks.
Oat milk is also good for you in moderation and has lots of nutrients. It’s a great choice for vegans, those with lactose intolerance, people with celiacs, or anyone who just wants to enjoy some oaty goodness!