The Teavana Transition: Starbucks' Sourcing Strategy
For many years, Starbucks used the Tazo brand for its tea offerings, a brand it acquired in 1999. However, in 2017, the company sold the Tazo brand to Unilever to focus on its Teavana brand, which it had purchased in 2012. This transition led to a major change in how tea is served across Starbucks locations. The company now exclusively uses Teavana products, which range from loose-leaf-quality sachets to concentrated liquids. The move allowed Starbucks to control a single premium tea brand and better align with its broader ethical sourcing goals, with most of its tea coming from Rainforest Alliance certified farms.
A Tale of Two Teas: Brewed vs. Concentrated
Not all tea at Starbucks is created equal, with a distinct difference between drinks made from brewed tea bags and those made from concentrates. This distinction is particularly important for consumers interested in ingredient transparency and sugar content.
Brewed Tea Bags
For many of its standard hot and iced teas, Starbucks uses Teavana's high-quality, pyramid-shaped sachets. These are filled with larger-leaf teas, similar in quality to what is typically found as loose-leaf tea. The sachets are brewed fresh in-store for hot teas, or in large batches for iced versions, providing a more authentic and less processed tea flavor. The Teavana lineup includes popular options like Jade Citrus Mint, Peach Tranquility, and Royal English Breakfast.
Concentrated Teas
Certain popular beverages, especially lattes and some iced teas, are made with a pre-sweetened, concentrated tea base. The most well-known example is the Chai Tea Latte, which uses a chai concentrate that includes brewed black tea, spices, and significant amounts of sugar. The use of concentrates ensures speed and consistency for high-volume drinks but also means the final product contains added ingredients not found in a traditional brew. The original Tazo chai concentrate was famously a customer favorite, and while Starbucks has moved to a Teavana equivalent, the flavor profile remains similar, with a focus on convenience over a from-scratch brew.
The Special Case of Matcha and Herbal Teas
Starbucks' menu also features specialty teas that don't fall neatly into the brewed or concentrate categories, namely matcha and herbal infusions.
Matcha
Starbucks' popular matcha drinks, including the hot and iced Matcha Tea Lattes, are made with a powdered green tea blend that comes pre-sweetened. This is a critical distinction for true matcha connoisseurs, as authentic, high-quality Japanese matcha is a pure, unsweetened powder. The Starbucks blend is heavily sweetened, with some reports stating it contains more than 50% sugar by weight. While the blend does contain real milled green tea, its sugary composition means it is not pure matcha in the traditional sense. For those seeking an authentic, sugar-free matcha experience, this detail is important.
Herbal Teas
For drinks like the Iced Passion Tango Tea or the various herbal hot teas, Starbucks uses a blend of herbs and other ingredients. For example, the Passion Tango Tea is an infusion of hibiscus flowers, apple, lemongrass, and cinnamon, creating a vibrant, fruity drink that is naturally caffeine-free. These herbal infusions are brewed from bags, similar to the traditional caffeinated teas, and are a great option for those seeking a non-caffeinated alternative.
A comparison of Starbucks tea formats
| Feature | Brewed Teavana Tea (Hot/Iced) | Teavana Concentrates (Lattes) | Matcha Powder Blend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Source | High-quality, large-leaf sachets | Brewed and condensed tea base | Milled green tea and sugar |
| Preparation | Freshly steeped in-store | Mixed with water and milk/ice | Mixed from a pre-sweetened powder |
| Sugar Content | Unsweetened by default (customizable) | Pre-sweetened, high sugar content | Pre-sweetened, very high sugar content |
| Consistency | Can have minor variations in brew strength | Highly consistent flavor profile | Highly consistent flavor profile |
| Best for | A simple, purer tea flavor | Quick, spiced or creamy lattes | A sweet, vibrant green tea drink |
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of "does Starbucks use real tea?" has a nuanced answer. Yes, in the sense that many of their popular hot and iced teas are brewed from high-quality, whole-leaf Teavana sachets, delivering an authentic tea flavor. However, the answer is less clear-cut for drinks like the Chai Tea Latte and Matcha Latte, which rely on pre-sweetened concentrates and powder blends for consistency and speed. These contain real tea but also come with significant amounts of added sugar, making them different from a traditional, home-brewed version. For the health-conscious consumer or the tea purist, it's important to understand these distinctions and read the ingredients, as the brewing method and added components vary significantly across the menu.
To make a fully informed choice, consider whether you prefer the straightforward, customizable flavor of a brewed tea bag or the convenience and consistent profile of a concentrate-based drink. If sugar content is a concern, brewed teas are always the safest bet, as they can be enjoyed unsweetened or with a custom amount of sweetener.
