SEATTLE Starbucks Coffee Co. said it plans to replace the whole milk used in its espresso-based drinks with 2-percent-fat milk at all of its United States and Canada stores by year-end. The coffee chain, which has more than 13,000 stores worldwide, also is considering converting to reduced-fat milk in its 39 markets outside of North America.
Consumer requests for drinks blended with low-fat milk drove the decision to make the change, said Denny Marie Post, senior vice president of global food and beverage for Starbucks.
Starbucks tested so-called 2-percent milk in four markets earlier this year: Jacksonville, Fla.; Orange County, Calif.; the state of Oregon; and London, Ontario. Customers gave high marks for the quality and taste of beverages made with reduced-fat milk, the company said.
New York will be the first market to convert to 2 percent milk, on June 5.