Is Starbucks Matcha Good for You? An In-Depth Review
Starbucks matcha is delicious and sweet, but is it good for you?
The global coffee brand has hopped on the matcha trend, making it even more accessible to the everyday customer. But let’s examine Starbucks’ matcha drinks to see if they truly provide the health benefits commonly found in matcha.
Matcha is known for its rich concentration of antioxidants, specifically catechins, linked to various health benefits such as weight management and overall well-being. When you consume matcha in its pure form, you receive these benefits in the most potent manner.
However, Starbucks matcha drinks contain added sugar which may dilute some health benefits.
So, before making Starbucks matcha your go-to healthy beverage, let’s review its health properties. This blog will answer the question, is Starbucks matcha good for you?” You’ll learn about what’s in the popular brand’s matcha, the nutritional information and how to order a healthier option.
What’s in Starbucks Matcha?
When you order a matcha drink at Starbucks, you might wonder about the ingredients that make this popular beverage.
Starbucks uses its own proprietary matcha powder. It’s pre-sweetened matcha and primarily contains sugar, with ceremonial matcha powder following. Although Starbucks doesn’t disclose which company produces its matcha, some speculate it’s manufactured by Aiya Matcha in Japan.
As mentioned earlier, Starbucks matcha powder comes pre-sweetened with sugar, contributing to the overall flavor of the drink. Because they pre-sweeten the matcha powder, you can’t ask the barista to change the sugar amount without altering the matcha quantity.
When you order matcha drinks like a Matcha Green Tea Latte or Matcha Lemonade, they combine the ingredients with milk, water, or lemonade based on your selection.
The nutritional value of Starbucks matcha drinks may vary depending on the size and additional ingredients you choose to add. Knowing your nutritional and dietary requirements when enjoying any beverage is a good idea.
Health Benefits of Matcha
Matcha offers various health benefits due to its rich content of antioxidants, nutrients, and other compounds.
One of the key advantages of matcha is its high concentration of antioxidants, which can help protect your body against cell damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants, particularly catechins, contribute to improved overall health. They neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, promoting better oral health and a stronger immune system.
Matcha contains a moderate amount of caffeine, providing a natural energy boost. Unlike coffee, matcha contains L-theanine, ensuring sustained energy levels without causing jitters or crashes. It helps promote mental clarity, focus, and alertness, making it an ideal beverage for those seeking to improve their cognitive function.
Matcha is known for its potential immune-boosting properties. It provides essential nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, which can support your immune system and help keep you healthy, especially during cold and flu season.
Is Starbucks Matcha Good for You?
When considering how good Starbucks matcha is for you, it’s important to consider the ingredients. A popular choice is the matcha latte (hot or iced) which blends matcha green tea powder with milk and often comes with added sugar.
This begs the question, is Starbucks matcha good for you?
No, Starbucks matcha isn’t deemed healthy because it’s presweetened and packed with a considerable amount of sugar and calories per serving. While matcha offers many health benefits, the added sugar and calories in Starbucks’ drinks negate them.
To make it easier to weigh the pros and cons, here are some key nutritional values for a Grande (16 oz) Starbucks Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte:
- Calories: 240
- Fat: 7g
- Sugars: 32g
If you’re trying to limit your sugar or calorie intake, ask your barista for a more health-conscious option. For instance, the iced matcha green tea latte contains a blend of matcha with sugar and milk. By making the drink at home, you can control the sugar in the beverage.
When choosing a matcha drink, consider the calories, sugar content, and size to determine whether it aligns with your health goals.
Starbucks Matcha Drinks: Ingredients and Variations
Starbucks matcha drinks are enjoyed worldwide for their flavor and aroma. Here are the three matcha-inspired drinks that you can find on the menu today.
Matcha Green Tea Latte
At Starbucks, the Matcha Green Tea Latte is a popular option for those looking to enjoy matcha’s unique taste and benefits.
Made with a blend of finely ground matcha tea, it is combined with steamed milk or a milk alternative of your choice and sweetened with your preferred sweetener.
Additionally, you can enjoy it either hot or iced. The standard nutritional information per 16 fl oz (grande size) for the Matcha Green Tea Latte is as follows:
- Calories: 240
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 12g
Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte
The Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte is a refreshing variation of the classic matcha latte.
It’s prepared with the same matcha blend, milk, and sweetener but poured over ice for a cool and invigorating drink. The nutritional information for the Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte per 16 fl oz (grande size) is as follows:
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 9g
Iced Matcha Lemonade
For a unique summer twist on the matcha beverage, Starbucks offers the Iced Matcha Lemonade.
It combines the matcha tea blend with tangy lemonade to create a vibrant flavor profile. The nutritional information for the Iced Matcha Lemonade per 16 fl oz (grande size) is as follows:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 0g
Now that you know the ingredients, variations, and nutritional information of Starbucks’ matcha drinks, you can decide which beverage suits your preferences and dietary needs.
How To Order A Healthier Matcha Drink At Starbucks
When ordering a matcha drink at Starbucks, you can make a few adjustments to ensure you’re sipping a healthier beverage.
Since Starbucks matcha powdered is pre-sweetened, there’s no way to reduce sugar. The only way to reduce the amount of sugar in your drink is to reduce the amount of matcha. Unfortunately, reducing the matcha powder will leave a more diluted flavor.
You can choose a smaller size if you’re uninterested in reducing the matcha content. This will help reduce the total calorie and sugar content. Starbucks offers several sizes, so going for a Short or Tall size instead of a Grande or Venti will limit your consumption of unhealthy components.
Opting for a dairy-free option is another good idea to make your matcha drink healthier. Starbucks provides a range of dairy alternatives, such as almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk. Besides being lower in calories than whole milk, these alternatives can also be suitable for those who follow a vegan diet or are lactose intolerant.
Lastly, Starbucks matcha tastes sweet since it’s pre-mixed with sugar. So, avoid sugar syrup or skip the whipped cream. You can add a sugar-free sweetener if you’re keen on sweetness.
If you prefer to control the sugar content, make matcha at home. At the very least, you have full control over the ingredients, quality of matcha, and different sweeteners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starbucks Matcha
Yes, Starbucks matcha powder contains sugar. It is a pre-sweetened blend, meaning that sugar is added to enhance flavor. If you are concerned about sugar intake, you could opt for unsweetened alternatives or request a lower amount of matcha powder in your drink.
Starbucks matcha is not stronger than coffee. However, the amount of caffeine in matcha can vary depending on the preparation and serving size. While a cup of coffee generally contains around 95 mg of caffeine, their matcha latte has approximately 55 mg.
Yes, the matcha latte at Starbucks is pre-sweetened due to the sugar content in their matcha powder blend. If you find the sweetness too much or prefer a less sweet beverage, you can customize your order and request fewer pumps of the added syrup or opt for an unsweetened version if available.
No, Starbucks matcha is not good for weight loss. Matcha is known for potential health benefits such as antioxidant properties, weight loss, and boosted metabolism. However, they pre-sweeten its matcha latte and mix it with other ingredients, raising the calorie count.
Yes, Starbucks matcha contains caffeine. Although caffeine is generally lower than coffee, it still provides moderate stimulation. On average, the matcha latte contains around 55 mg of caffeine, which can still provide a gentle energy boost. Remember that individual caffeine tolerance varies, so adjust your consumption accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Matcha is known for its antioxidants and is a favorite healthy beverage. While traditional matcha offers numerous health benefits, Starbucks’ versions are filled with added sugars that dilute these benefits.
So, before trying a Starbucks matcha as a health staple, think about the sugar content. Don’t get me wrong, Starbucks matcha is a delicious and refreshing beverage. But if you’re trying to cut down the sugar, make your own tasty matcha latte at home instead.
