What milk does Starbucks use? (brands of milk used in Starbucks + More information)

More Starbucks customers are moving toward plant-based milk alternatives for health and environmental reasons. Does the brand have this in mind, and what milk does Starbucks use?

Since they opened their first location near my home and workplace, I’ve been a Starbucks fan, and I’ve had to keep up with the changing trends as anyone else. I’d ask for my coffee with no customization for a long time until I noticed I’d get bloated sometime after taking the drink. This issue drew my attention to Starbucks’ milk alternatives, and I was glad I could still enjoy my preferred Starbucks drink without worrying about my tummy thanks to the plant-based milk alternatives.

Starbucks uses a couple of milk products for their beverages, both dairy and non-dairy. All these are available to you on their menu. We’ll look at the milk options available, the brand Starbucks uses to make your favorite milk and more.

What brands of milk does Starbucks use?

For the dairy milk, Starbucks uses Borden Milk at their corporate stores and Good and Gather milk at their Starbuck stores in Target. The company has whole, two percent and nonfat dairy options they provide. There are non-dairy options, and Starbucks ensures they use separate milk steamers for each.

So, what dairy, almond, coconut, and oat brands do the coffee company use? One thing to keep in mind is that while the company might disclose the type of milk and brand they use, they won’t always be available in your local Starbucks or store selling their products. The soy and almond alternatives are not available in the market, and thus challenging to know what brand they use.

However, the coconut milk in the milk-alternative list is from single-origin Sumatra coconuts from a tropical Indonesian Island. The oat milk in your Starbucks milk-alternative option comes from Oatly oat milk. If you choose to purchase the same oat milk the store uses, then look for the Oatly Oat Milk Barista Edition for your drinks.

Starbucks has done an exceptional job understanding its consumer market, tastes, and dietary restrictions. They cater to lactose-intolerant individuals who make purposeful changes in their diet but still want to enjoy their favorite hot or cold beverage Starbucks offers. A lot more people are looking to change to a plant-based milk substitute, and the franchise has done well to keep up with this demand.

What brand 2% milk does Starbucks use?

Starbucks has used 2% milk made from Dean Foods and have done so since 2003. The company is now a subsidiary of Dairy Farmers of America. The company has been in existence since 1925 and is based in Dallas, Texas, and is one of the US’s largest processors and milk distributors. Dean Foods provides the milk and creamers too for Starbucks.

Final thoughts

Almond milk has been my preferred milk at Starbucks for almost ten years, and it’s been worth it. I didn’t expect to become increasingly lactose intolerant with age. However, like so many, Starbucks has worked to help those with a dairy intolerance or nut allergies still enjoy their preferred Starbucks drink.

FAQ Section

What kind of milk does Starbucks use for lattes?

Starbucks baristas use the two percent low-fat milk to make their lattes unless the customer specifies an alternative.

What is the best milk at Starbucks?

If you’re looking for the healthiest milk option at Starbucks, go for almond milk. The reason is they have less sugar as compared to other drinks.

Is Starbucks milk vegan?

Not all Starbucks milk is vegan, only their plant-based options. These are soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk.