What Kind of Soy Milk Does Starbucks Use?

Fun fact: soy milk was the first non-dairy milk to be introduced to the Starbucks menu, and they were slightly ahead of the game all the way back in 1997. This milk alternative has been on the menu ever since, gradually joined by other popular vegan and non-dairy types of milk over time. 

Maybe you’re someone who chooses soy milk every time for health or dietary reasons, or maybe you just like to mix it up by adding it to your Starbucks pumpkin spice latte once in a while – either way, you may want to know exactly what kind of soy milk Starbucks uses, and what’s in it.

The answer is that it’s a type of soy milk very specific to Starbucks: the chain uses a special organic blend formulated exclusively for their menu. This soy milk is made by Danone (which is also the parent company of Silk), and you’ll only find it when you order at Starbucks stores.

What is soy milk?

In a sense, soy milk (also known as soya milk) is the plant-based milk alternative that paved the way for the rest. Derived from whole soybeans, it’s made by soaking, grinding, and steaming soybeans in water. It’s a whole food that’s anti-inflammatory, and high in antioxidants and nutrients like Vitamin B and magnesium. It’s also one of the most naturally protein-rich milks in the plant-based category.

Like most products, not all store-bought soy milk is created equal; many brands include additives in the ingredient list to either preserve or sweeten the milk, and many products are often fortified with other vitamins and minerals to boost their overall nutritional profile. 

The blend of soy milk that Starbucks uses, owned by Danone, is creamy and flavorful – specially crafted to be used in hot and cold coffee drinks. Starbucks soy milk is sweetened with cane juice and vanilla, and also contains other additives (some of which are controversial, like the seaweed-derived carrageenan). 

Danone Soy Milk: ingredients and nutrition

The soy milk that Danone produces exclusively for Starbucks is non-GMO and USDA-certified organic – in fact, it’s the only certified organic milk that Starbucks offers. It’s also naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Wondering what’s in this proprietary blend that you can only sip on in-store? Here’s the complete ingredient list:

• Organic Soymilk (Filtered Water, Whole Organic Soybeans)
• Organic Evaporated Cane Juice
• Calcium Carbonate
• Natural Vanilla Flavor
• Sea Salt
• Carrageenan
• Sodium Citrate
• Baking Soda
• Vitamin A Palmitate
• Vitamin D2
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Vitamin B12

As you can see, Starbucks soy milk is fortified with calcium and vitamins A, D, and B. But the milk blend also contains a handful of other ingredients and preservatives, some of which are more controversial – like a substantial amount of added sugar and potentially inflammatory additives like carrageenan.

As far as the nutritional profile of this product, here’s the breakdown in an 8-ounce serving of the soy milk that Danone manufactures for Starbucks:

• Calories: 130
• Fat: 4g
• Carbs: 16g
• Sugars: 13g
• Protein: 7g

Because the milk is so high in sugar, it’s also higher in calories and carbs. However, as a plant-based milk it’s the best choice in terms of protein content – with a comparable amount of protein per serving to cow’s milk – which makes it a good milk choice for vegans.

Is Starbucks soy milk sweetened or unsweetened?

Starbucks soy milk is sweetened with added sugar, and it’s actually higher in sugar than any other milk option available at the coffee chain – including both dairy and plant-based milks. 

The soy milk blend that Danone makes for Starbucks is sweetened with evaporated cane juice (aka pure cane sugar), along with natural vanilla flavor for an additional layer of sweetness. This amounts to around 13 grams of sugar per serving (which is one 8-ounce cup).  

Recap: Starbucks soy milk

While there aren’t currently any specific soy milk-based beverages on the Starbucks menu, you can customize virtually any drink order, from cappuccinos and teas to frappuccinos and iced lattes, by choosing soy milk as a milk substitute or adding a splash of it to your beverage. 

We’ve gathered all of the information we have on the brand of soy milk that Starbucks uses at most of their locations – you’ll find the recap below. 

Starbucks Coconut Milk Brand	Danone Soy Milk [Special Blend]
Brand Claims	USDA-Certified Organic Non-GMO
Ingredients List	Organic Soymilk (Filtered Water, Whole Organic Soybeans) Organic Evaporated Cane Juice Calcium Carbonate Natural Vanilla Flavor Sea Salt Carrageenan Sodium Citrate Baking Soda Vitamin A Palmitate Vitamin D2 Riboflavin (B2) Vitamin B12
Nutritional Facts	Calories: 130 Fat: 4g Carbs: 16g Sugars: 13g Protein: 7g
Sweetened?	Yes [Evaporated Cane Juice]

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