Understanding the Tall Size
The first question a new Starbucks customer has is “what size is the tall coffee?”. Most people expect the tall size to refer to the amount of caffeine in the cup, but the tall refers to the amount of fluid ounces in the container. Many people are likely wondering how many ounces in a Starbucks tall coffee before they visit the café.
A tall cup in Starbucks is the standard size for hot and cold drinks and is 12 fluid ounces. This size is slightly bigger than other café’s medium and small sizes. Starbucks encourages customers to order the smaller sizes and reserve the larger size for milkshakes and cold brew. This approach allows people to make sure their drink is not too watered down and that the proportions are correct for their desired effect.
Optimizing Portion Sizes
In recent years, Starbucks has optimized the portion size of a tall cup to 12 fluid ounces. This size contains the optimal amount of coffee grounds to make a balanced beverage, as Frappuccino-style beverages deserve more than the regular cup of coffee. However, ordering a grande or venti cup leaves room for more orders of cream, milk, and other additions.
The Starbucks website provides a comprehensive breakdown of how much caffeine is in their 12 fluid ounces tall cup. The tall cups of Starbucks contain 310 milligrams of caffeine, while the grande and venti cups both contain 415 milligrams. Furthermore, the tall cup contains roughly 3.5 to 4 teaspoons of sugar, while the grande cup contains roughly 4.5 to 5 teaspoons.
Factors Affecting Caffeine Content
In addition to standard sizes, the caffeine content in a cup of Starbucks coffee can be affected by various preparation methods. The roast of the beans, whether it is decaf, espresso or brewed, and the brewing style all affect the amount of caffeine in the end product.
For example, an espresso shot contains around 60 to 75 milligrams of caffeine, a Brazilian espresso shot contains around 140 milligrams, and an extra shot of espresso in a cup of brewed coffee adds around 35 milligrams of caffeine. Additionally, the type of milk or cream used to make the beverage can add additional calories. For instance, a 12 ounce tall vanilla latte has 130 calories.
Expert Tips for Drinking Starbucks
Health experts have warned consumers to be aware of caffeine levels in their daily beverages. A regular cup of black coffee has about 150 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the method of preparation. This means that drinking a tall cup of Starbucks coffee would be the equivalent of drinking two cups of regular coffee.
To avoid drinking too much caffeine, experts recommend replacing the tall cup size with a smaller size. If you cannot resist the urge to order a tall-sized beverage, try investing in a rather large cup of cold brew or a sweet tea and stick with the smaller sizes. Additionally, many Starbucks locations offer alternative non-coffee beverages that are caffeine-free such as herbal tea, lemonade, hot chocolate, frappuccino light, and iced tea.
Ways to Cut Calories
If you are looking to cut down on calories when drinking Starbucks, there are several options to choose from. Try ordering a skinny latte, which is made with nonfat milk and no added syrup. Furthermore, for sweetener, opt for Stevia or Splenda instead of regular sugar. This can help minimize the amount of calories, without compromising the taste of your favorite coffee.
Alternatively, try ordering a single shot of espresso add in spoonful of sugar with almond or coconut milk. This type of beverage will provide you with a delicious shot of espresso without all of the added calories. Additionally, ask your barista to add a bit of vanilla or cinnamon for added flavor.
Decaf Drinks and Alternative Beverages
If you are looking to avoid the high amounts of caffeine in a tall cup of Starbucks coffee, try ordering a decaf instead. Decaf coffee still contains some caffeine, but it is only around 10 to 85 milligrams per cup. This is significantly lower than a standard cup of coffee, which typically has twice the amount of caffeine and even more when you order a larger size.
Another alternative to a tall cup of Starbucks coffee is to try one of their herbal beverages. Many of their herbal drinks contain no caffeine at all and are made with natural herbs and spices. Starbucks also has a variety of alternative milks, such as soy, almond, and coconut. These milks contain less calories than regular cows’ milk and can still be enjoyed in a coffee or latte.
Checking the Nutrition Label
When it comes to double-checking the number of fluid ounces in a tall cup of Starbucks, it is best to visit their website or check the nutrition label on your Starbucks beverage. The nutrition label will tell you exactly how many ounces is in the cup, as well as the amount of caffeine, fat, calories and sugar. This label can help you make an educated decision when selecting your drink size.
Pros and Cons of Starbucks
Despite the fact that Starbucks is one of the most popular café chains in the United States, there are both pros and cons to consuming the brand’s products. On the one hand, ordering a tall size at Starbucks ensures that you get the right amount of caffeine and sugar, as well as a balanced cup of coffee. On the other hand, a tall-sized Starbucks drink contains 10 to 15 grams of sugar—which is equal to 2 to 3 teaspoons—which can be a bit high for most people.
Additionally, if you are trying to cut down on calories, ordering a tall may not be your best bet. This is because most of their 12 ounce tall beverages will have at least 150 calories, before adding any additional syrups or cream. Ultimately, it is important to assess the pros and cons before ordering a tall cup of Starbucks.
Environmental Cost of Starbucks
From a sustainability standpoint, the environmental cost of drinking an extra-large hotter cup of Starbucks coffee is much greater than many people realize. For example, in 2018, Starbucks reported the use of 1.3 billion non-recyclable plastic lids, equivalent to 110 million pounds of material. As a result, the company has decided to switch to a more sustainable lid in 2021.
Furthermore, two-thirds of their 12 ounce cups are made out of non-recyclable materials. This means that much of the waste from Starbucks goes straight to landfills, where it persists for many years. Fortunately, Starbucks has developed a number of strategies to reduce the amount of waste generated from their operations.
Promoting Reusable Cups
One of the most effective ways that Starbucks is promoting sustainability is by encouraging customers to use reusable cups. Reusable cups significantly reduce waste and energy as well as conserve resources. Moreover, the company offers discounts when a customer uses a reusable cup.
In addition, Starbucks offers free refills to customers who bring their own cup. However, the company encourages customers to bring their own cup on all the days and not just on refill days. This movement is part of their larger sustainability initiative, which is aimed at reducing the amount of waste that the company generates.
Packaging and Food Waste
In terms of packaging and food waste, Starbucks is actively working towards reducing both. They are currently transitioning from plastic cups to paper cups, which are 100% recyclable. Additionally, the company has committed to using only sustainable palm oil for all its food products by 2020.
Lastly, Starbucks pays special attention to its food waste, aiming to reduce any food scraps from its products or operations. The company is committed to donating any leftover food to local food banks or charities. Starbucks also works with several non-profit organizations to increase the amount of surplus food donations.
