Starbucks American Menu

Rated at 3/5 green leaves, the Starbucks American Menu Iced Matcha Lemonade falls squarely into the average category on our scale of cleaner food options. This beverage is not organic and contains both non-GMO ingredients and added sugars, factors that impact its overall score.

The product consists of a simple mixture of ice, lemonade, and a matcha tea blend. The lemonade is made from water, lemon juice, sugar, and lemon oil, while the matcha tea blend combines sugar with ground green tea. The presence of sugar as an added sweetener is a notable element, as it contributes to the deduction of points due to our stance on added sugars.

The lack of organic certification means that the ingredients have not met the stringent standards set for organic products, which typically ensures they are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Moreover, without the non-GMO verification, there is no guarantee that the ingredients have not been genetically modified, a concern for those seeking foods with natural genetic composition.

While the Iced Matcha Lemonade does not excel in our assessment for cleaner food options, it does not rank among the lowest due to its use of real lemon juice and matcha tea. These ingredients do provide some value, albeit diminished by the product’s other attributes. The beverage occupies a middle ground, serving as an option for those who might be looking for a slightly better choice among mainstream offerings but are not yet fully committed to the highest standards of clean eating.

This product represents a compromise, with certain qualities that align with our cleaner food criteria, but also with aspects that fall short. It stands as an example of a product that has room for improvement, particularly in terms of organic and non-GMO sourcing, as well as the reduction or elimination of added sugars.