Introduction
Starbucks, the iconic coffee chain, is known all over the world for its wide selection of drinks and dedicated service. Starbucks drinks come in a variety of sizes, all of which are measured in ounces. Of these sizes, the “medium” size is a favorite of many Starbucks fans. But how many ounces, exactly, does a medium Starbucks coffee contain?
Background
The standard sizes of Starbucks drinks and the associated ounce measurements have undergone some changes since the coffee chain’s inception. Back in the day, the company’s size offerings were limited to just Short, Tall, and Grande. Each of these sizes had a unique measurement in ounces, with Short being 8 ounces, Tall being 12 ounces, and Grande being 16 ounces. In 2008, a size called “Venti” was added to the mix which measured in at 20 ounces. Since then, the Short option was retired and the “Tall” size has been reduced to only 10 ounces.
Today, the standard sizes at Starbucks, in order of increasing size, consist of the following: Tall (10 ounces), Grande (16 ounces), and Venti (24 ounces). A medium size was also recently added to the mix and it measures in at 14 ounces.
Data and Perspective from Experts
According to a representative from Starbucks, “a ‘medium’ size drink at our stores is officially termed ‘Grande’ and it is equal to 16 ounces, whereas the ‘medium’ size is equal to 14 ounces and is appropriately called ‘Mocha’ at Starbucks.”
Nutritionist Dr. Carol Johnson offered her own expertise. “It’s important to note that one ‘cup’ of coffee is equal to 8 ounces, which is the same as a Tall size from Starbucks. Therefore, if you’re ordering a ‘medium’ or ‘Mocha’ at Starbucks, you’d be getting 14 ounces – in other words, 1.75 cups. For many coffee drinkers, this might equate to a little over 2 standard cups of coffee and may warrant paying attention to the amount of caffeine being consumed.”
Own Insights and Analysis
At 14 ounces, a Starbucks Mocha is a bit larger than what many would consider a “medium” size. While this means a greater amount of caffeine, it also ensures that customers have plenty of coffee for their money – especially when compared to other coffee shops. A medium size from other specialty coffee chains typically only contains 12 ounces of coffee so Starbucks is generous in terms of its portion sizes.
Other Considerations
When ordering from Starbucks, customers should be aware that their desired drink size may not always match the number of ounces associated with it. This is true for an iced beverage in particular. While a Grande typically contains 16 ounces of hot coffee, the same size of an iced beverage will have more than 24 ounces due to the extra fill of ice.
The Mocha size can also be subject to variances. Some stores, for example, may only offer 12 ounces of coffee in a medium cup while others might give up to 16 ounces. This may depend on the store’s policies as well as the individual barista’s interpretation of the company’s standards.
Ingredients and Calorie Content
A classic cup of Starbucks coffee contains more than just hot water and coffee beans. The store’s popular mochas, for example, contain ingredients like cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, and milk – all of which can affect the calorie content of the drink. A Grande Mocha contains a total of 310 calories while a Venti Mocha contains 420 calories.
Customization
Starbucks offers a multitude of ways to modify drinks in order to satisfy the needs of its customers. This can range from adding milk alternatives – like almond or oat milk – to sugar free syrup options that are calorie free. Furthermore, some stores may be willing to add extra shots of espresso or increase the milk ratio depending on their individual policies.
Nutrition Facts
Aside from calorie and sugar content, Starbucks also provides nutritional information for their drinks on their official website. Customers wanting more detailed information can visit the website and look up the nutritional information for the drink of their choice. This information includes attributes like saturated fat, caffeine, and cholesterol which can be useful for those with specialized diets.
Additional Modifiers
Since Starbucks offers non coffee drinks as well, customers may need to specify whether they’d like their beverage to include dairy, cinnamon, or flavored syrup. Dairy alternatives, such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk, are also available. Depending on their dietary restrictions, customers can also opt for sugar free, low sugar, or sugar free-syrup options.
