At the beginning of October Starbucks dropped their new protein line which includes Iced Protein Matcha and Iced Vanilla Protein Latte. Both of which can be accompanied with the customer’s choice of protein cold foam.
Starbucks makes these protein drinks by mixing 2% unflavored protein powder into the milk. The protein powder could also be mixed through the customers choice of cold foam. Shortly after Starbucks started selling protein drinks they also started selling prepackaged protein powder in small packets.
Below we’ve not only tasted and reviewed the drinks, but we’ve also analyzed the precedents forming from the sudden and fast growing popularity in protein.
Iced Protein Matcha
The Iced Protein Matcha was the first drink we tried. While the overall taste didn’t change, the texture was slightly different then a normal matcha, and not very appealing. After you take the first sip of the protein matcha you can immediately taste the grainy and thick texture of the drink. Normal Starbucks Matcha is normally a watery drink, but when the protein powder is mixed in it becomes a lot thicker.
The protein also gave the matcha an interesting after taste. The drink tasted very strongly like protein and artificial, instead of natural, which is what matcha normally tastes like.
Iced Protein Vanilla Latte
Surprisingly the Iced Protein Vanilla Latte was almost the opposite. The drink has nice consistency , even after the protein was mixed in. However, the latte did also taste artificial, the protein mixed in a lot, giving it a weird watered down flavor. It also had an interesting after taste, it was very obvious that protein powder was mixed in.
For people who like or don’t mind the flavor of protein powder this drink is a very good option for you, for people who prefer a less intense taste of protein powder this drink is most likely not for you.
The protein cold foams taste about the same as regular cold foam. The only difference is that you are able to taste the protein powder, and the consistency is thicker.
Takeaway
The addition of protein powder drinks being included into Starbucks menus is not surprising at all, especially considering the recent trend of tracking protein. Protein has always been important and has always existed, but now the average American is a lot more intentional with their protein intake.
Since 2024, there has been a significant increase in the average American’s protein intake. A Cargill study found that over 60% of Americans increased their protein intake since the start of 2024. Protein is no longer limited to dinner plates, but has become easy to consume during any meal of the day and quickly while on the go.
Eating enough protein in one day is essential for muscle growth and repair since protein is the building block for muscles. Protein provides essential amino acids necessary for muscle synthesis and recovery after a hard workout or injury. But too much of anything is never good.
Many people have turned to more processed forms of proteins to meet their goals such as protein powders, shakes, and bars. However, this increase in protein consumption has not been as healthy as it may seem, due to the rates of processed protein only going up.
Recent studies have shown that over half of an American’s diet is made up of ultra-processed foods. While eating a protein bar may seem healthier than a candy bar, there are pros and cons to each. While a protein bar packs more grams of protein into a smaller package than your average Twix bar, the list of ingredients is full of artificial sugars and sweeteners that are more harmful than helpful to your body.
Recent studies by Consumer Reports also claims that many popular protein powders contain concerningly high numbers of lead as well as other toxic metals not safe for human consumption. Due to the increased number of people implementing these ingredients into their everyday diet, this is something that could quickly start to have negative impacts on Americans’ health even though people are under the impression they are making healthy choices.
While increasing your protein intake may be a good idea, it is important to focus on more natural forms of protein coming from whole foods rather than stocking up on the newest flavor protein bars and powders.
As Starbucks enters the protein craze, its new drinks represent how protein trends have become more mainstream, and highlight the concern of just how far this fad has gone. What began as a push for better nutrition and recovery has turned into a booming industry filled with processed powders and artificial additives.
Drinks like Starbucks’ Iced Protein Matcha and Iced Vanilla Protein Latte make it easier than ever to get protein on the go, however they reflect the shift away from natural whole-food sources. As protein continues to dominate menus and marketing, it is important to look beyond the label and focus on choosing balance and quality over convenience and hype.
