In a press release on Wednesday, the company said it chose coconut milk after 84,000 people voted for the idea on My Starbucks Idea, its crowd-sourcing platform. On Feb. 17, the company will be introducing Starbucks Single Origin Sumatra Coconut Milk, a creamy and delicious alternative to dairy and soy milk for their customers.
Company officials further stated the coconut milk is certified to be vegan, and is made from single-origin coconuts from the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The growing popularity of coconut products has helped in a big way. There is a growing market for coconut oil, coconut water and coconut flour. The company test-marketed coconut milk in Cleveland and Oregon last October, then tried it out in Los Angeles. The positive response at all the test sites was reason enough to go national.
Delivering the options our customers want is always the highlight of my day,” said Christine Barone, Starbucks vice president brewed espresso. “We have a high bar for anything we pair with our high-quality espresso and this coconut milk is smooth and perfectly complements the coffee. I personally love it in an iced vanilla latte. We are excited to hear back what further customer and partner customization coconut milk inspires.
Starbucks is not alone in offering non-dairy alternatives in their coffee drinks. Peet’s Coffee and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are also now offering non-soy dairy milk alternatives. Many people have asked why Starbucks is not offering almond milk. Again referring to the press release, company officials say almond milk presented too many “allergen challenges.” But, just so you know, Dunkin’ Donuts started offering almond milk at many of its stores nationwide last year.
Oh, in case anyone may be wondering, coconut milk will cost you an extra 60 cents, just the same as soy milk. I myself am looking forward to having my favorite Starbucks beverage, a caramel cappuccino, made with coconut milk.
