Starbucks American Menu

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Starbucks American Menu Hot Cinnamon Dolce Latte falls short of cleaner food standards. This beverage is not organic and includes genetically modified ingredients, contributing to its lower rating. The presence of added sugars and a variety of additives further diminishes its standing on the health scale.

The latte’s base is non-organic milk and brewed espresso, which, while standard for coffee drinks, already sets back its potential for a higher green leaf rating due to the absence of organic certification. The inclusion of cinnamon dolce syrup introduces additional sugar and citric acid into the mix, both of which are penalized for being added sugars. The syrup’s natural flavor and potassium sorbate are considered potentially harmful additives, detracting from the product’s overall cleanliness.

Topping the latte is whipped cream made from cream with added mono and diglycerides, and carageenan, the latter of which is recognized as a known harmful additive. The vanilla syrup in the whipped cream contains more sugar and potassium sorbate, contributing to the product’s lower score. Finally, the cinnamon dolce topping, while seemingly innocuous with its sugar and cinnamon, contains extractives of butter and other natural flavors that are not aligned with the highest standards of clean eating.

The latte’s composition reflects a common issue in mainstream food offerings: reliance on non-organic, GMO ingredients, and an array of additives that compromise the pursuit of cleaner, healthier food options. While it does provide a hot beverage choice for consumers, the Starbucks American Menu Hot Cinnamon Dolce Latte’s low green leaf rating underscores the need for substantial improvements to meet the criteria of those seeking out purer, less processed food products.