In January 2008, Starbucks has introduced “Skinny” platform, a non-fat Latte drink made with sugar-free syrup and non-fat milk. According to Starbucks, this new coffee has at least 50 percent or less calories than one made with regular syrup. This new 12-ounce Caffe Latte has 90 calories whereas the normal 12-ounce white chocolate mocha latte has nearly 400 calories. So, the next time, you do not have to mention “non-fat and sugar free”, just mention you want a “skinny” latte will do.
The company claims that even with less calories, the taste is not totally compromised. It goes on to mention that Starbucks Skinny Caffe Lattes and Skinny Caffe Mochas not only provide customers with that delicious sweet taste they desire, the drinks also provide the natural goodness of milk. A tall Skinny Latte or Skinny Mocha naturally contains 30 percent of recommended daily calcium and 9 grams of protein.
Is Starbucks going into healthy drink direction? Not really, it is more like providing additional option for health conscious customers. Starbucks took that bold move because based on the report, the nutrition page on Starbucks.com is the most accessed page and growing in popularity. The figure spoke for itself - 10 million visits in the past four years, 3.5 million of which were in 2007 alone at that nutrition page.
At this point of time, only customers at North America can enjoy this lower calorie “Skinny” Latte. Probably the company is testing the market before introducing it to other parts of the world.
For me, Starbucks drinks are sweet. However, when I order coffee from the shop, I will not specifically ask the baristas to use less syrup. I want the real deal. Without the syrup and whipped cream, it just doesn’t taste like Starbucks coffee. Yeah, it is fattening. But taking the “Skinny Coffee” is like eating burger without the bun. That’s why I don’t drink often and only visit Starbucks once in a blue moon and make sure I have worked out in gym hard to earn that. Therefore, when I sip, I will not feel guilty because I know that I deserve it.
With this skinny option, will I allow myself to visit Starbucks more often?
May be, provided the price is also slashed 50 percent just like the way it reduces the calories by 50 percent? It will be a fairer deal this way.
To be frank, although Starbucks uses “skinny” as an official term for its nonfat sugar free coffee, it is not really a new drink. You can actually get the similar coffee as long as you order a non-fat and sugar free. So, this so called “skinny” new range of drinks is more like a marketing gimmick. Starbucks probably knows that many people have listed losing fat as one of the new year resolutions and therefore taking advantage of it with “skinny” coffee.
If this new term “skinny” going to work, you will see “skinny” yogurt, “skinny” ice cream, “skinny” bread and even “skinny” jeans or bra!
How about you? What do you think about Skinny Latte and Starbucks Coffee?
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Jonz // May 20, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Just got back from Seoul and earlier from Tokyo. They have started the “skinny” thingy over there in those 2 cities. Tried em out, don’t seem to compromise too much on the taste. Though i’m not a coffee person, only fancy lattes - more of a chai/green tea latte person.
Mun // May 20, 2008 at 11:52 pm
To Jonz: Thanks for the update. Look as if Starbucks is rolling this new drink out to Asia.
Wow, traveling to two countries within short time. What job you are doing?
Jonz // May 23, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Mun : I’m working in the corporate sales line whereby i’m involved in key deals for the company. The need for travelling comes when there is region-wide deal involved thus needing travelling here and there to meet the clients.
Hectic job, but I do keep workouts a priority by going to the gym a minimum of 4 times a week or so.
Angie Tan // May 26, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hi there!
Yeap, sounds like marketing gimmick. Wonder if our local Starbucks will have this option soon?
Anyway, I agree with you. If you want to enjoy your drink, why not get the Real McCoy instead? :-)
I already felt very guilty for taking the vanilla latte the other day but I was down and needed a pick me up. Oh well, whenever I do have my latte, it’s low-fat milk with no sugar… It’s still bad but at least I don’t feel so guilty about it. (^^)