Starbucks adds new tea varieties to its menu

Starbucks said the new offerings provide healthier options. In 2008, the company put sugar-free and no-fat lattes on its menu, launched fruit smoothies and introduced healthier breakfast items.

“The same way we transformed American coffee culture, we want to deliver an exceptional tea experience for customers with our new Tazo Tea Lattes and Tea Infusions,” said Michelle Gass, Starbucks’ executive vice president for marketing.

Tea accounts for about one in 10 drinks consumed at Starbucks, which bought Tazo Tea Company in 1999, she said.

Starbucks Full Leaf Tazo Tea Lattes are made from a soothing combination of steamed milk and Tazo Tea and are available in three new varieties:

• Black Tea Latte – a bold, invigorating combination of black tea and freshly steamed milk
• Vanilla Rooibos Latte – a naturally caffeine-free infusion of botanicals that unites South African rooibos, Tahitian vanilla, sweet spices and freshly steamed milk

i>London Fog Latte – an intriguing blend of black tea, citrusy bergamot, French lavender, vanilla and freshly steamed milk.

The company claims that the majority of the tea offerings contain 200 calories for a tall size (12fl oz) and most provide more antioxidants than an 8oz glass of orange juice. It also said that lattes contain 20% of the recommended daily calcium intake.

Tazo Tea Infusions are a combination of premium Tazo black chai tea lightly steamed with fruit juices. These non-dairy beverages are available in two varieties, which can be served over ice:

• Berry Chai Infusion – a blend of aronia berry and blackcurrant juices steamed with black tea and sweet, exotic spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves
• >Apple Chai Infusion – a blend of apple juice steamed with black tea and sweet spices.