Starbucks Offers Pumpkin Spice Latte With Protein
Do you want to eat more protein this fall? You might be able to reach your macros with the help of your early morning coffee run.
Starbucks announced today that it will begin offering high-protein drinks at all outlets in the US and Canada on September 29. Lattes and cold foam, which can include up to 36 grams of the macro, will soon be included in Starbucks’ permanent menu, the company confirmed.
In the release, global chief brand officer Tressie Lieberman stated, “As we continue to return to Starbucks, we’re focused on modernizing our menu with innovative, relevant, and hype-worthy products that will resonate with our customers.” “Our new protein drinks satisfy the increasing demand for protein from consumers in a unique, high-end, and delectable way that only Starbucks can provide.”
Starbucks baristas will blend in the appropriate amount of unflavored protein powder after starting with 2% dairy milk. Starbucks has confirmed that the protein powder is dairy-based, but it is still unknown if the protein milk is manufactured to order or batched every day. According to a spokesman, protein cold foams are only prepared with dairy milk and cannot be made using plant-based milk, Food & Wine reports.
What about the flavor? According to Starbucks headquarters, the high-protein cold foam gives the chain’s coffees, teas, and Refreshers a “creamy, frothy topping that adds texture and flavor.” Any of the chain’s current cold foam flavors—yes, even seasonal selections like pumpkin and pecan—as well as a brand-new banana flavor will be available for purchase.
An unflavored version is also on the way to café menus for people who would rather not consume all the extra syrup.
Protein is already present in dairy milk; a typical 16-ounce latte made with 2% milk has about 14 grams of protein. Starbucks wants to increase that by double: For a grande, there are 27 to 36 grams of the macro in a latte made with protein-rich milk. According to the release, guests can also ask for the “protein-boosted milk” in any other beverage that is currently offered.
You are well aware that high-protein diets have all but taken over online wellness groups if you have spent the last several years scrolling through social media. A wave of innovators started incorporating protein shakes into their morning beverages last fall; some even combined their daily “proffee” at the Starbucks drive-thru.
The biggest coffee chain in the country apparently paid attention.
This idea was first presented by Starbucks earlier this summer when it proposed the protein cold foam as a limited-edition test under its new Starting 5 development program. To put it simply, the coffee company intends to test out initial releases in a small number of cafés to get feedback before potentially launching it across the country. Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew, another Starting 5 idea, recently showed promise in a limited market and was introduced in a larger test last week.
Protein-conscious consumers have two main complaints: taste and gritty texture. However, other companies have already figured out how to make unexpectedly delicious drinks. Will Starbucks follow?
