Starbucks plans to offer coconut milk as a milk/cream substitute nationwide, to the delight of lactose-abstaining coffee drinkers and complicated-drink lovers everywhere.
The vegan and Paleo option will be available in U.S. stores beginning on Feb. 17, according to a Wednesday announcement from the chain, which already offers soy milk as a dairy-free option.
"Starbucks coconut milk is certified vegan and made from single-origin coconuts from the tropical Indonesian island of Sumatra," according to the announcement.
Pictures of green boxes labeled "Sumatra Coconut Milk Beverage with Coconut Water from Concentrate" have been popping up all over social media, posted by store employees.
Woo hoo! Look what was delivered tonight! Coconut Milk! #dairy alternative at Starbucks! #tobeapartner #yum pic.twitter.com/5wdko8W8gU— Aymee (@SatOnMeeting) January 28, 2015
We have coconut milk at starbucks now pic.twitter.com/9iLvWxWCy5— Barista Boy (@JustSnHector) January 30, 2015
An official Starbucks blog post, from October 2014, confirmed the coffee company had begun offering coconut milk in stores in Portland and Cleveland, and, later, in Los Angeles. The push came from thousands of customers expressing the need for it in the company's "ideas" section.
"We found that the rich, creaminess of coconut milk is the best complement to our hot, iced and Frappuccino beverages with none of the allergens of almond milk," the post stated.
Quickly after the option became available in Portland, redditors, of course, put on their taste-testing hats, giving the milk mixed reviews -- especially concerned about its "added stabilizers" to help it froth.
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