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Starbucks New Soy Milk: It's Definitely Not Silk!

I took the advice of one of my readers today... I poured a small amount of Silk's "Very Vanilla" Soy Milk into my kick ass OXO coffee thermos (this thing spills NOTHING) and took it with me to Starbucks. I ordered a Grande Americano (two shots of espresso mixed with hot water) and combined it with my soy milk from home.

And this is quite good. I am liking it very much.

But, while at Starbucks, they had the new soy milk they are using out on the counter... And I decided to snap a picture of the offending newcomer for you...

This is definitely not Silk Soy Milk, despite what the Starbucks website says. this is some generic container of nastiness. Eww!!!!!

As long as they keep serving this crap... They will not get my $0.40 extra I am willing to pay for
it.
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Comments

Robin M Anderson said…
The stuff is shite. The worst part? I went to 4 stores today and they were sold out because the new shity distributer short supplied all of new england. WTF? I cannot believe I have gone two weeks without coffee. My new plan, no more Starbucks. Eff you corporate coffee monster. I'm going local. Done and done.
January 21, 2009 10:33 AM
Me said…
I will admit it.. I am one who is all about convenience when it comes to my coffee... And Starbucks is incredibly convenient for me... If there was a local place with as good a quality of coffee across the street from me at work and at home, I would totally prefer it.

But, Starbucks is across the street from both my home and my work... So I am stuck.
January 21, 2009 10:40 AM
noooo said…
as a starbucks partner, i agree with you about the new soy milk. as much as i love the company, i wish they would stop trying to make things "better" by doing things that seem to be more of a downgrade.

silk is some of the best out there. and i'm hoping that they get enough complaints about it, that they have to go back to silk.
January 21, 2009 3:20 PM
Unknown said…
i never thought they would do such a thing - i have no faith in Starbucks left! i know Silk milk. did they think I wouldn't notice? ugh. that creamy horrible utter juice they replaced it with left me sick... i wasn't even sure it was soy, so I asked my co-workers if their drinks were right, called the Starbucks, confirmed the change, and wrote then a big fat note!
January 22, 2009 6:16 PM
Anonymous said…
I too am upset by the soy switch. Silk soy made my lattes smooth and delicious. This new soy is WAY too sweet and doesn't even have the same texture (it's kind of gritty--yick!). Anyway, as much as I love Starbucks, I have resolved to stop going. If they don't carry my drink (iced grande SILK soy latte) then they have nothing to offer me. This "improvement" is causing them to lose customers. Smooth move Starbucks. :(
January 26, 2009 10:43 AM
Anonymous said…
I was assured by a partner that the new soy was preffered in the taste tests prior to the switch. However, she said nothing about whether or not humans were part of this research. I suspect chimps chose the new soy. I've been making my own lattes at home for over a week. Not nearly as good as Starbucks Silk Soy Lattes....but waaaaaaaaaaaay better than their "New and so not improved" version. They lost my business.
January 29, 2009 10:42 PM
Unknown said…
My husband brought me what I thought was my usual Silk soy latte yesterday. It tasted like vanilla syrup with water and very little espresso. I figured someone screwed it up. I couldn't finish it. Ha! I had no idea they cheaped out for inferior soymilk! No more Starbucks for us!
January 31, 2009 6:26 PM
Anonymous said…
I actually was pleasantly surprised by the switch. It is more similar to the Barista Blend by Pacific Soy, which is designed especially for espresso drinks to mimic the taste and texture of real milk. In my experience Silk only gives an off aftertaste to any drink. But it is interesting to read that there are soy drinkers who actually prefer Silk over soy designed for espresso. It explains the prevalence of Silk in seemingly every cafe in the town I live in, when I can't stand the stuff - it makes me miss real milk (dairy allergies bite.) I'm sure you'll be able to find Silk in independant cafes for a long time - its very cost effective.
February 06, 2009 9:36 AM
Unknown said…
So disappointed with the "new" soy milk. Yuck--it ruins the coffee!
February 07, 2009 5:07 AM
Anonymous said…
I think I gained 5 lbs because of this stuff... too sweet too creamy. I usually have what SB calls a Tea Miso (chai tea bag with soy milk no or little water). I'll be making it in my office kitchen since I don't know what kind of stuff this fatty soy is. Thanks SB, you just lost a long-time customer.
February 10, 2009 10:47 AM
noooo said…
same starbucks partner that commented before:

while the new soy is sweeter, the nutrition information is the same as the silk we used to have. i compared them side by side before we used the last of our silk because i new that would be a question customers asked.

i'm getting used to it. it's way to sweet, but i just use less syrup or none at all.

it's frustrating sometimes, but it's good to try to see even bad things as positively as you can.
February 10, 2009 1:51 PM
Anonymous said…
//I actually was pleasantly surprised by the switch. It is more similar to the Barista Blend by Pacific Soy, which is designed especially for espresso drinks to mimic the taste and texture of real milk.//

I find that surprising, because I find regular milk to taste much better than the new soy, yet I preferred the old soy much more than regular milk.

Regular milk tastes really thin to me, but the Silk soy they used made the lattes very creamy, and when steamed... ahhh... so perfect.

The new stuff is really bad.
February 16, 2009 9:16 PM
Anonymous said…
they are losing me as a customer because of this. Bring back SILK!
February 19, 2009 10:18 AM
Anonymous said…
I agree... the SILK SOY was a staple to my daily latte. I feel like they have ripped it off the menu - cuz it tastes like a totally different product.

I need to go elsewhere to find an alternative. This SUCKS.
February 20, 2009 8:38 AM
Anonymous said…
I ordered my usual unsweetened green tea soy latte and immediately noticed a difference I took it back thinking they had added syrup by mistake. The barista assured me that he didn't. But I knew something was off. The other barista chimed in and said it's probably the new soy as he had another customer complaining about the same thing when they ordered their unsweetened latte. I googled the change and this blog came up. Seems like others are having the same issue. I'm definitely writing to them. I'm hoping enough people will make a big enough deal out of it for them to switch back. The new stuff is terrible. The change is most definitely cost related for them. There would've been no reason to switch otherwise as Silk had no taste issues.

I guess the positive in this one is I now will save myself lots of money as I will no longer be buying drinks ther!
February 20, 2009 6:57 PM
Anonymous said…
BRING BACK SILK!!! At first I blamed the new baristas in my regular starbucks. But when soy chai latte #3 came back tasting just the same as the first 2 (but made by a lifer), I knew something was up. What gives?? We already pay a premium for this stuff....don't mess with it. I've stopped going. Bought the chai and am doing it at home. Not as tasty, but much less of a disappointment than the gritty sweet $4 cup of gross.
April 04, 2009 4:16 PM
Anonymous said…
I am so glad to find these posts- my son introduced me to soy latte a few weeks ago and i instantly became addicted. The other day I got one and thought it had a chemical aftertaste- i thought they left soap or cleaner in the machine. When i took it back, they showed me the new soy. Yuck!! Even one if the servers said he can no longer drink his favorite soy drink because of it. This leaves a funky taste in my mouth. I know it is their way to save money (the boxes are larger) but what they save on the product, they will lose in customers.
April 21, 2009 3:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Im hoping some one who works at SB can clarify this problem for sure. Im wondering, Is the nutritional facts really the same? I really enjoy soy silk as well but haven't been extremely bothered by the new soy milk. However it is much sweeter! Which leaves me to question the nutritional information in comparison with the Silk Soy milk.
May 23, 2009 11:14 AM
Unknown said…
I am highly disappointed in the new soy milk too - I hate it. I always watch the barista make my drink because I do not drink regular milk and it's been messed up a couple times that way. I caught the back of the box on the new soy milk (and that's when I noticed it changed) and the calories are higher. Silk Vanilla has 110 calories per cup and this stuff has 140. Of course Starbucks has NOT updated their nutrition info on their website. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture or anything but when I go there for tea next time I will ask to see it and will record the info. I am not drinking soy from there anymore!
July 02, 2009 9:17 AM
Unknown said…
I hate the new soy milk. I always watch the barista prepare my drink because I do not drink regular milk and occasionally they mix it up. I caught a glimpse of the new box and looked at the nutrition info. The calories in the new stuff are different - Silk has 110 calories per cup (8 fl. oz.) and this stuff has 140 calories. I bet it has more sugar because it is sickeningly sweet to me. Starbucks has NOT updated the nutrition info on their website either. Next time I go to Starbucks to buy coffee I will ask to see the box. I'm friends with the people who work there so I'll get the info and post it! I will not be drinking the new nasty soy :o(
July 02, 2009 9:20 AM
Anonymous said…
I am not sure if any of you are aware but silk soy milk actually has some dairy in it. If you purchase silk, notice on the container that there is a symbol of a circled U, with a D right next to it. This is a kosher symbol for dairy. Starbucks actually made an effort to change their soy milk recipe so that lactose free consumers, and vegan consumers could enjoy their beverages dairy free. So, I say kudos to Sbux!
September 10, 2009 4:38 AM
Anonymous said…
As a Starbucks Employee, I love the new soy milk! It mixes incredibly well with the chi :P We have nutrition information about anything we use in the creation of our drinks, just ask us, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I know its not the silk that we all were used to, but give this new stuff a chance. :) and if its still not what you want, you can always bring in your own soymilk of your choice, and we can steam that for you and use that in your drink instead.

I do have a customer who comes in everyday with her own Silk vanilla soy milk becuase shes out raged by the change as well. We've heard a lot of the feedback and understand, soif you were to bring something in, it wouldnt surprise us.
January 01, 2010 11:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Re: anonymous two comments above:

The D means that it's processed using equipment that also processes dairy products. White Wave claims that they follow very strict cleaning procedures between batches but because they do share equipment between dairy and non-dairy products, they have to put the D on the carton.

None of the actual ingredients in Silk are animal derived. All the ingredients are vegan, it's just a question of how one feels about the shared equipment question.
January 14, 2010 5:56 AM
Eve A said…
Taste is important, so is health and for some of us we drink soy because we don't want to harm animals. Silk soymilk parent company is Dean Foods. Dean Foods is huge dairy meaning they have cruel factory farm practices. If you care about animals you will choose soy or dairy produced by more ethical companies: usually smaller, organic, family farms. Dean is the worst! Young cows kept in confining pens where they can't turn around or lay down, standing in their own feces and urine, no ventilation, never see the light of day, have rBGH pumped into their bodies to keep them lactating (which gives us cancer). When their production just a little, they are replaced. Cows don't live past adolescence before they go to slaughter. Slaughter is proceeded by electrocution. YOU are responsible for finding these facts - Dean Foods like other huge meat and dairy will never let you in on the truth: no cameras allowed. They know if you knew what went on you would never give them a dime. Horizon organics is also Dean Foods. If you like soymilk get it from ethical companies. This soy scorcecard from cornucopia is a good resource: http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/
what dairies to buy from:
http://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html
http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2007/06/dairy-farming/
April 02, 2010 10:22 AM
Anonymous said…
i am anaphalatic wich meens i have life theretening allergies. i have allergies to meat, poultry, dariy, eggs, nuts, and all sorts of stuff even if i touch it i could die. but any way i had my usual a soy cappachino and ther new soy milk as a dairy by-prodouct. so i tasted something wierd and soon my mouth started burning and i went into anaphalictic shock i was medicated i was lucky but if starbucks switched back i would go back.
August 17, 2010 7:37 PM
Jenn said…
Love the "generic" soy milk. In fact, customers complained when it ran out and Silk Vanilla was substituted. I'd be very upset if they switched back to Silk. plus this milk is organic, huge plus for me!
June 09, 2011 4:36 PM
Anonymous said…
a grande americano has three shots...
September 07, 2011 11:45 PM
Anonymous said…
I love the new soy milk. It has none of the oily aftertaste that Silk Brand does. Don't be a brand shopper, silk has done an excellent job of convincing people they are the best. And that creamy-ness that your coffee has with silk...it's soybean oil and sugar...yummy.
May 26, 2012 6:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Several times now I ordered a soy latte in Japan and it's tastes absolutely awful! The first time, I sent it back because it tasted so 'burnt.' The replacement was the same! eek! (Sorry barista, it's not your fault!) I love the flavor of roasted soy, it's nice and nutty. I am lactose intolerant, but everyone in family now orders soy lattes when they want a hot latte because it tastes so much better than milk. Not sure if they've change the soymilk here, or it's always been this way, but whatever that was, it was not drinkable. Too bad. A regular coffee here is over $3 USD! Sayonara スタバー(Starbucks, Japan). In a land full of soy products, you'd think they'd get it right.
October 12, 2013 3:24 PM
Anonymous said…
It definitely is NOT silk. Where I live, I checked this morning. It's a generic brand, but does say it is organic.
August 27, 2014 7:49 AM
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