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The Shocking Truth About What Matcha Does Starbucks Use (And The HUGE 2025 Change)

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For years, the answer to "What matcha does Starbucks use?" was a complex, often disappointing one: a heavily pre-sweetened blend where sugar was the primary ingredient. However, in a move that has thrilled tea enthusiasts and health-conscious customers, Starbucks has made a massive, critical change to its core matcha offering. As of early 2025, the coffee giant has officially switched to a new, pure, and unsweetened matcha powder, completely redefining the flavor, nutrition, and customization options of your favorite green tea latte.

This article will dive deep into the specific type of matcha now being used, reveal the exact ingredients in the new standard recipe, and provide a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the new menu to order your perfect, customized matcha drink, whether you want zero sugar or a perfectly balanced sweetness.

The New Era of Starbucks Matcha: Pure, Unsweetened, and Sourced from Japan

The single most important update for any Starbucks matcha fan is the shift from a proprietary "Matcha Tea Blend" to a pure, unsweetened matcha powder. This change is a direct response to years of customer feedback regarding the excessive sugar content in the classic lattes.

The previous formula was notorious for listing sugar as its first ingredient, meaning the powder itself was more sugar than green tea. A Grande Iced Matcha Latte could easily contain over 30 grams of sugar, comparable to a can of soda.

What Matcha Powder is Starbucks Using Now?

The new powder is a proprietary blend, but Starbucks confirms it is an unsweetened matcha powder sourced directly from Japan.

  • Type: Unsweetened Matcha Powder (Pure Green Tea).
  • Sourcing: Japan (a nod to the traditional origins of the tea).
  • Ingredients (New Powder Only): 100% Green Tea. This is a massive improvement over the old blend, which was primarily sugar.
  • Brand/Supplier: While the exact brand remains a proprietary secret, the shift to a pure, single-ingredient powder is the key takeaway. Previous blends were sometimes linked to suppliers like AJINOMOTO® (Takasago), but this new formula represents a higher-quality, single-ingredient focus.

This change has fundamentally altered the standard build of the drink, moving the sweetness control from the pre-mixed powder to the barista's syrup pump.

The New Standard Recipe: Matcha Latte Ingredients and Customization

Because the new matcha powder is unsweetened, Starbucks had to adjust the standard preparation method to maintain the familiar flavor profile for existing customers. The sweetness is now added separately via one of the most common syrups in the store: Classic Syrup.

The New Standard Matcha Latte Recipe (Hot or Iced)

The standard build for the new Starbucks Matcha Latte is now a three-part formula:

  1. Unsweetened Matcha Powder: Scooped directly into the cup (e.g., a Grande gets 3 scoops).
  2. Milk: Your choice of dairy (like 2% or whole) or non-dairy alternatives (such as Oatmilk, Almond Milk, or Soy Milk).
  3. Classic Syrup: The standard sweetener, added in a predetermined number of pumps (e.g., a Grande Iced Matcha Latte gets 4 pumps of Classic Syrup).

This separation of the matcha and the sweetener is the game-changer, giving you complete control over your drink's sugar and calorie count.

How to Order a Low-Sugar or Unsweetened Starbucks Matcha (The Barista Secrets)

The 2025 change has made ordering a truly healthy, low-sugar matcha latte easier than ever before. Since the powder itself contains no sugar, you only need to adjust the syrup.

The Ultimate Low-Sugar Matcha Order Guide

Follow these steps to customize your drink and dramatically reduce the sugar and calorie count:

  • Go Zero Sugar: Order your drink and add the phrase, "with NO Classic Syrup." The drink will be pure unsweetened matcha and milk. You will taste the true, earthy flavor of the Japanese green tea.
  • Go Half-Sweet: Ask for "half the pumps of Classic Syrup." For a Grande, this reduces the standard 4 pumps down to 2, cutting the added sugar by half.
  • Use a Sugar-Free Syrup: Substitute the Classic Syrup with a zero-calorie option, such as Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup. This maintains sweetness without the sugar load.
  • Use a Different Milk: Swap dairy milk for a lower-calorie, unsweetened non-dairy option like Almond Milk.

Pro Tip for the Health-Conscious: For a high-protein boost, try the Protein Matcha latte, which blends the unsweetened matcha with steamed Protein-boosted Milk.

Old vs. New Matcha: A Nutritional Comparison

The difference in sugar content between the old and new matcha lattes (when customized) is staggering. This is the core reason the 2025 update is so significant.

Drink (Grande, 16 fl oz) Old Matcha Latte (Pre-2025) New Matcha Latte (2025, No Syrup) New Matcha Latte (2025, Full Classic Syrup)
Total Sugar (Grams) ~32g (mostly from the powder) ~12-14g (only from the milk) ~30-34g (from milk + Classic Syrup)
Calories ~240 Calories ~160 Calories ~240 Calories

The table clearly shows that by simply ordering the new latte with NO Classic Syrup, you eliminate nearly all the added sugar, leaving only the naturally occurring sugar (lactose) from the milk. This makes the new, unsweetened Starbucks matcha an excellent option for those managing their sugar intake or following a keto or low-carb diet (when paired with a keto-friendly milk substitute).

Beyond the Latte: Other Matcha Drinks and Entities

The unsweetened matcha powder is now the base for all Starbucks matcha beverages, including popular choices like the Matcha Crème Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. This means all these drinks can also be customized to reduce or eliminate added sugar.

Other popular customizations and related entities you may hear about include:

  • White Mocha Syrup: A popular, sweet pairing with matcha that is often requested by customers for a rich, dessert-like flavor.
  • Matcha Lemonade: A refreshing option that uses the new unsweetened powder and lemonade, which can be ordered with less or no added liquid cane sugar.
  • At-Home Mixes: For those who enjoy Starbucks' flavor at home, the brand partners with Nestlé to produce retail products like the Starbucks Premium Mix Matcha Latte Powder sticks, which are a separate, pre-sweetened product.
  • Competitors: The move puts Starbucks ahead of competitors like Dunkin', which still uses a sweetened matcha powder blend in the US.

In summary, the question of "What matcha does Starbucks use?" has a new, much better answer in 2025: a pure, unsweetened, high-quality Japanese green tea powder. This change empowers you, the customer, to finally control the sweetness of your drink, transforming the Starbucks Matcha Latte from a sugar-heavy treat into a highly customizable, health-conscious beverage.

The Shocking Truth About What Matcha Does Starbucks Use (And The HUGE 2025 Change)
what matcha does starbucks use
what matcha does starbucks use

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