Oat milk has quickly become one of Starbucks’ most popular milk alternatives. It’s been embraced not just for its creamy consistency but also for its slight sweetness, making it a perfect match for coffee and espresso-based drinks. In 2021, Starbucks added oat milk to its permanent roster of milk options, alongside the likes of almond, soy, and coconut milk. But here’s the twist: While the oat milk craze seems to be booming, there’s been some mystery surrounding the exact brand Starbucks uses in their drinks.
When oat milk was first introduced at Starbucks, the brand made it clear that it had teamed up with Oatly, the Swedish oat milk company. The specific product? Oatly’s Barista Blend. This particular oat milk is specially formulated for coffee use, making it perfect for steaming into that luxurious, creamy foam that makes Starbucks lattes so irresistible. Oatly’s Barista Blend is known for its ability to froth well and its smooth, rich flavor, making it the ideal choice for lattes and cappuccinos.
When oat milk was first introduced at Starbucks, the brand made it clear that it had teamed up with Oatly, the Swedish oat milk company. The specific product? Oatly’s Barista Blend. This particular oat milk is specially formulated for coffee use, making it perfect for steaming into that luxurious, creamy foam that makes Starbucks lattes so irresistible. Oatly’s Barista Blend is known for its ability to froth well and its smooth, rich flavor, making it the ideal choice for lattes and cappuccinos.
Now, you might be wondering, what’s the difference between regular oat milk and barista-style oat milk? Barista oat milk isn’t just any ordinary oat beverage—it’s specially formulated to handle the demands of a coffee shop. When you steam regular oat milk, it can sometimes separate or curdle when it comes into contact with hot coffee. But barista oat milk is designed with a higher fat content, allowing it to withstand the heat of steaming without losing its creamy, frothy texture. It’s the secret behind those perfectly frothed oat milk lattes you love to sip on.
This high-fat, creamy texture also makes it ideal for creating that coveted silky foam that enhances every cup of coffee. Barista oat milk is designed to behave much like whole dairy milk when steamed, ensuring that your lattes, cappuccinos, or iced coffees have the same luxurious mouthfeel and rich texture you’ve come to expect from Starbucks.
In the end, whether Starbucks is using Oatly, Dream, Chobani, or another oat milk brand in your drink, the experience remains consistent. Starbucks is committed to using barista-style oat milk, a formula that’s made specifically to steam, froth, and blend perfectly with coffee. So no matter which oat milk is in your cup, you can rest assured that it will be creamy, smooth, and utterly delightful. If you’re curious about the exact oat milk brand at your local Starbucks, just ask your barista—they might have the scoop on which brand is being served that day.
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