Starbucks has added two vegan options to its existing range of creamers.
The dairy-free drinks—Caramel Flavored Non-Dairy Creamer and Hazelnut Flavored Non-Dairy Creamer—feature a blend of oat and almond milk.
According to Kristin Salacky, news editor for food magazine Delish, the Caramel Flavored Non-Dairy Creamer features “notes of buttery caramel and hints of vanilla flavor for a drink that will make you feel so cozy.”
Starbucks’ own coffee shop drinks inspired both of the new dairy-free creamers. The Caramel Macchiato inspired the caramel vegan creamer, and its Hazelnut Latte inspired the hazelnut vegan creamer.
Jason Merideth, Nestlé General Manager, Creamers Portfolio, told LIVEKINDLY the non-dairy creamers follow the chain’s entry into the creamer category last year.
“It’s the latest example of innovation from the Nestlé and Starbucks global coffee alliance. It combines the well-loved flavors and premium coffee of Starbucks with Nestlé’s authority in the creamer category,” Merideth explained.
He added: “The new Starbucks® Non-Dairy Creamers bring consumers an exciting new way to enjoy coffee at home, particularly as non-dairy creamers are poised to continue growing in popularity.”
Consumer Demand Drives Starbucks to Add More Vegan Options
Starbucks has launched a number of vegan options recently, in retailers and in its coffee shops.
The company is trying to improve its environmental impact. In 2018, an audit showed that Starbucks was responsible for emitting 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. It also used one billion cubic meters of water.
Earlier this year, CEO Kevin Johnson said that Starbucks is intending to keep expanding its plant-based options. He cited sustainability reasons for the expansion, but also to keep up with consumers.
He told Bloomberg: “alternative milks will be a big part of the solution. The consumer-demand curve is already shifting.”
As well as dairy-free beverage options, Starbucks is also expanding its plant-based food range. It recently added vegan Impossible Breakfast Sausages to the menu in the U.S.
Michael Kobori, Starbucks’ chief sustainability officer, said in a statement: “over the years, in response to customer interest, we have added plant-based milk alternatives such as soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk. We are thrilled to expand our plant-based menu into food with this new breakfast sandwich.”
Patrick Brown, CEO and Founder of Impossible Foods, said Starbucks’ sets a “benchmark for large corporations.” He added that the company shares Impossible Foods’ mission “to make the global food system sustainable.”
In Singapore, Starbucks recently launched a vegetarian rendang pie, also made with vegan meat by Impossible Foods.
While some shoppers have already seen the new dairy-free creamers in-store—the user behind Instagram account CandyHunting spotted them in a Hy-Vee in Wisconsin—they are not officially available in U.S. grocery stores until August.
