What is Considered a Bakery Item at Starbucks? (When did Starbucks start serving bakery items + More Information)

One of the best things about ordering hot or cold drinks at Starbucks is that you can buy baked goods with your beverage. So, what is considered a bakery item at Starbucks?

At Starbucks, products that are considered bakery items are those whose main ingredient is wheat and that are made through baking. When ordering a drink at Starbucks, especially a breakfast drink, I almost always order a snack to go with it. However, picking a snack is sometimes very difficult, particularly when I do not know whether to go with granola, sandwich, wrap, or other snacks. To ease things, I decided to focus on the baked goods section as there is loads of variety, and the items are delicious. Starbucks bakery items are primarily made from wheat and are prepared by baking.

When Did Starbucks Start Serving Bakery Items?

Starbucks started serving bakery items to their customers in the year 2003. For a long time, the company had struggled with trying to introduce food products into its menu, but past trials had been unsuccessful.

The first successful attempt in 2003 did not include many baked items, but the company revamped the menu in June of 2009 to include more baked goods that had less high-fructose corn syrup, food dyes, preservatives (where possible), and artificial flavors.

Since 2009, more baked goods have been included in the Starbucks menu, and now there are more than 25 items from which to choose.

Does Starbucks bake their own stuff?

Yes, Starbucks makes all its baked items, but not in-house (Starbucks stores). In the year 2012, the company acquired a bakery chain called La Boulange which has a total of 19 bakery outlets. All the recipes are developed and controlled by Starbucks, meaning that they make their own baked items.

Additionally, the company had partnered with an Italian brand called Princi to make premium pastries for consumers. The first store was opened in Seattle, Washington. Princi is a world-renowned pastry chain with many hotels across the globe. However, this partnership ended in 2021 as Starbucks decided to shift focus on drive-thru which draw more customers.

How long do Starbucks bakery items last?

Because most bakery items on the Starbucks menu are made with little to no preservatives, they have a shelf-life of 1 to 2 days if they are not refrigerated. When you buy any of the baked items from Starbucks, be sure to consume them within the first 48hours of purchase.

When refrigerated, however, these items can last up to 7 days, and it is not recommended that they stay longer. This makes sure that you consume food that is safe. One of the best things about buying baked items from Starbucks is the fact that each item is wrapped individually, meaning that storing it is quite easy, and the risk of cross-contamination is reduced.

At Starbucks, any baked goods used on the display are not sold, and they are tossed out every 2 days to prevent molding and other issues.

FAQ Section

Is Starbucks food microwaved?

No, Starbucks does not microwave any of its food. Unlike many food retailers, Starbucks does not have microwaves in its establishments. The company uses an extremely fast oven called a TurboChef to warm up any food ordered by customers.

However, you can warm up your Starbucks food using a microwave at home. This is not recommended for all items, though, and you may have to ask your barista whether or not your ordered item can be heated in a microwave.

The best way to heat up most Starbucks food, especially if it is baked, is by using an oven.

What bakery does Starbucks use?

The company uses the La Boulange chain of bakeries to bake its products. The chain was acquired to allow better operations and to increase proceeds from the baked products.

Are Starbucks bakery items frozen?

Yes, since all baked products at Starbucks are made off-site, they arrive frozen. This makes sure that they do not go bad too fast, and that they can be stored for considerably long periods of time.

The frozen bakery items are reheated in the TurboChef when an order is made.

What does Starbucks do with leftovers?

Any food that is left over at Starbucks outlets is collected and taken to community food banks. To keep it fresh, it is carried away by a refrigerated lorry. It is used to feed needy persons in various environments.

Does Starbucks give free food to the homeless?

Well, yes and no. It is not possible for homeless persons to get food directly from Starbucks outlets. They can only access it from the community-based food banks where leftover food is delivered.

Conclusion

Baked items from Starbucks are incredibly popular thanks to their great taste, commendable quality, and wholesome ingredients. The fact that the company takes time to make sure they are safe is admirable, and this is why you need to try a baked item or two off the menu.