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Tuesday, 25 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 5, 2024

What’s Kosher at Starbucks

Ever stand in line at Starbucks trying to remember if the cappuccino latte you want is kosher? Here's a guide to Starbucks beverages. Full Story

Professor at Bal Harbour Shul

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Ice teas
February 6, 2018 6:27 pm

Is the strawberry refresher ice tea kosher

International or just us ?
March 5, 2013 11:10 pm

Does this apply to international Starbucks or only in us ?

sheesh! its just a coffee
September 4, 2012 10:05 pm

why take chances in a place thats not kosher? Relying on goyim .. assuming they are doing such and such so you can have a dumb coffee? Is it worth the risk that maybe something was not ok in the process? be strong ..overcome your temptations and go to a kosher store to get your dumb coffee

R' Moshe Feinstein
July 9, 2012 9:52 am

It is clear that many of those who are speaking as authorities on the dinnim of R’ Feintstein have never read his letters. Being as there were more than one letter written on the issue of Cholov stam where he unequivicably says that milk certified by the FDA is completely permitted for one to drink. If a person has already only drink cholov yisrael they should not change to cholov stam and he goes on to encourage others to be machmir in this matter just as he is (i.e. keeps cholov Yisrael). One should be very careful to actually read… Read more »

Ummm...to #75
March 3, 2011 6:55 pm

What about Coffee Bean??? You live in LA, right? Coffee Bean is waaaay better.

Tired mom
March 3, 2011 1:59 am

yes starbucks is easy and that’s why I love it! As a mother who is up late many nights and running around in my car during the day, it’s nice to know I always have someplace I can go for a quick caffeine fix. It takes a lot of energy doing as many mitzvos as possible. After reading all of these posts
I disagree completely that the coffee is treif and therefore will not be mourning anything, everyone else can enjoy their Shiva.

to #38
March 2, 2011 4:28 am

very true point. last year on my Mivtzoim route in Paramus, nj, my Chavrusa and I sat down in Starbucks for a coffee, where we met a Jew and put on Tefillin with him for the first time in his life. That`s right, a “karkafta”!

starbucks fan
February 18, 2011 11:18 am

baruch dayann emes

the facts are facts
February 18, 2011 8:12 am

listen, everyone is getting so upset about losing starbucks because it was easy! nothing easy in life is rewarding!! its pure traif there! so just keep striving to do mitzvos and get your coffee somewhere else!!

i dont see the big change
February 18, 2011 1:36 am

people have always known that plain coffees(in disposables)as well as iced lattes are fine…if anyone wants to keep a chumra on themselves fine you dont need to force it on others… its very easy to be machmir because you dont have to know anything….

Relax
February 17, 2011 10:59 am

Oh Please!Leave people do what they feel comfortable of doing!
If someone think that is better because is keeping chalav israel, im sorry but you are completely wrong. This is your option of doing, but doesn’t mean that the others hashgachot aren’t kosher.

espresso vs. brewed coffee
February 17, 2011 9:12 am

#68 the americano is NOT brewed through the same filter that is placed in the dishwasher. it is the brew basket of the drip machine that is put on the dishwasher. an americano is made from espresso shots in hot water. no parts of the espresso machine are ever placed in the dishwasher by any sane barista. you cannot get the espresso filter clean without hand scrubbing it quite thoroughly with special product and it is a very expensive and small part that you wouldn’t want to throw in anyway. that’s not to say that somebody couldn’t do it but… Read more »

Americano not kosher
February 16, 2011 5:03 pm

Even the americano is brewed through the metal filter which is placed in their trief dishwasher every evening.

Please realize- that heter is not for you!
February 16, 2011 4:07 pm

R’ Moshe was helping Yidden who were UNABLE to get Cholov Yisroel. But he himself never used his own Heter. Doesn’t that tell us something? Unless you live somewhere where Cholov Yisroel is not available- Cholov Akum is not for you.

former barista....back again...
February 16, 2011 3:01 pm

listen….the espresso/americanos are fine. the parts of the espresso machine are cleaned by hand. you cannot just throw them in the dishwaher. they are very carefully cleaned and if you were to even try and skimp and throw a part in the diswasher you would be in serious trouble since those parts are very expensive and sensitive. the espresso comes from the same machine as the cholov stam steam wand but does not come in contact at all with any part of the wand, it’s fine. iced soy lattes are fine if you check the soy and have them drop… Read more »

Expresso
February 16, 2011 9:25 am

NEITHER the black OR the espresso/americano is OK for us. Dot

BASIL Coffee is Better anyway
February 15, 2011 10:39 pm

Basil has the best coffee and lattes, cholov yisroel through and through.

Elchonon Hellinger
February 15, 2011 8:46 pm

Please go to starbucks.com and contact them, I emailed them that it should not be a big issue to get a hechsher

WAIT
February 15, 2011 8:36 pm

WHATS WRONG WITH VIVANO SMOOTHIES!? NOTHING! its PURE kosher jiuce mixed with Soy milk and if u specify no protien its completely fine. CARE TO EXPLAIN!?!?!

To #57
February 15, 2011 8:12 pm

I heard a Lubavicher Rav say that:
ALTHOUGH espresso technically avoids all washing problems since nothing goes into the sink, it is on the same metal machine as the foamer, and thus creates a chalav akum problem. If this is the case, then NEITHER the black OR the espresso/americano is OK for us….?

To #57
February 15, 2011 6:06 pm

It’s not as ‘Cholov Yisroel’ as you think. I’ve heard enough stories about them substituting cholov akum for cholov yisroel that I dont go there at all

Expresso Is Cholov Akum
February 15, 2011 5:31 pm

The steamer to boil the milk is from the same steam source that is used to create the espresso. Thank You Collive for posting this important post.

CH Starbucks
February 15, 2011 3:25 pm

to avoid all future issues Starbucks will be opening a Chalav Yisrael Kiosk in Kol Tuv

It's a shame for non-LA residents...
February 15, 2011 3:10 pm

In LA, we have a cholov yisroel coffee bean that serves the most amazing drinks!!
From what it looks like on that list above, you’re best off just not even bothering with it, you’re sooo limited, such a tease.

reb Moshe Feinstein heter
February 15, 2011 3:04 pm

Was to be used only if a person found themselves in a place where they weren’t able to get any cholov yisroel,
Its sad when a heter becomes a way of getting out of doing the right thing because its easier …
Did you ever question how careful the people in these places are with mixing the utensils or how they clean or what they use to clean out the containers with, its your call, if you concience is okay with it.

Elchonon Hellinger
February 15, 2011 2:24 pm

#50,
I will go back to starbucks and personally talk to every employee there.

#2 if this is really a issue, why not contact starbucks corporate ? it should be a very simple issue of getting a hashgacha on their drinks. the OU I believe gives a hechsher on the beans.

ashreinu!
February 15, 2011 1:11 pm

i love reading these comments. look at how we fight for kashrus – which we dont understand – because Hashem said. dont compromise!

What are the Kiosk stores?
February 15, 2011 11:17 am

Are these the ones that are often found at Target stores?

to 41, 47
February 15, 2011 10:17 am

I’m not a Rov, but wouldn’t the dishwashing detergent make it noison taam lifgam, thus making it kosher, and if it is indeed so, would you be able to lechatchilah drink from their?

Also, what’s the deal with Jamba Juice if you are having in it only fresh squeezed juice as the base and only with fresh fruit in the smoothie? (meaning no frozen yogurt inside etc.) It is worth noting, that they use a fresh blender for each order and was each before next use. They therefore have about forty blender pitchers in each store.

Just To Clarify
February 15, 2011 10:06 am

To #36 A Iced Latte inst heated up with the steam nozzle. it maybe a little hot from the espresso shots the put in the latte which crc says is fine as long as they dont use their glass shot-glass, instead you have to ask them to put you cup directly under the espresso machine so like this you skip out the glass shot glass. Hot lattes on the other hand do use the nozzle to froth the milk and therefore is clearly a problem. To #37 Starbucks USED to use DE soy milk 2-3 years ago, NOW they get… Read more »

Tp Elchonon
February 15, 2011 10:04 am

Dear ELchonon Hellinger
Sadly, I worked myself in several Starbucks store and NOT ALL EMPLOYEES do what they are supposed to do AND it is not a big deal, it is not something a manager or anybody sweats about, the coffee baskets are supposed to be washed by the way. And I find that the CRC did a good job at bringing up the issue finally.

brewed coffee
February 15, 2011 10:01 am

#35
Yes soy pitcher is washed with everything else. Either way steamed soy or in case you dont keep ch’yisroel is a problem because they use the same steaming wand.
During the goyishe holidays they steam a drink that is TREIF ( not even cholov stam I am saying TREIF) that is EGGNOG…so not only they use the steaming wand to heat up cholov stam but also they heat up -after wiping it with a cloth- the soy milk or whatever milk you’d order…No hot drinks at Starbucks for me. Especially Eggnog latte being in the menu.

brewed coffee
February 15, 2011 9:54 am

#45:
Employees are not watched all the time, they are supposed to wash baskets where the coffee is brewed with soap but they don’t. I worked at Starbucks as a supervisor and BELIEVE ME there is no “mashgiach” who makes sure employees follow the washing and cleaning protocol, as long as thing look put together and clean, with so many other responsibilities in a store like SBux most people close an eye on details
#47 Right on!

finally....
February 15, 2011 8:36 am

listen, the brew basket is very often placed in a dishwasher with treif items. trust me, i’ve done it myself working as a barista thousands of times. that’s why it’s a problem. if you want kosher at starbucks stick with espresso dropped into a disposable cup (or americano or iced soy latte…anything that doesn’t use the steam wand) or hot tea. to be honest, the coffee at some non kosher restaurants are much safer since they don’t wash the coffee equipment with the rest.

Starbucks is kosher, period
February 14, 2011 11:39 pm

Every yid in Manhattan I see is holding a Starbucks coffee cup.

I had a brewed coffee today.
February 14, 2011 11:34 pm

I would like to know the reason for the brewed coffee being an issue. As far as I know, they wash the brewed coffee dishes in a separate basket and soap is used. soap makes everything “Ta’am Pogum”. Even though soap is not a “lechatchila” alternative, it is “Mutar B’dieved”.

irui m'kli rishon
February 14, 2011 10:59 pm

Regarding #23: what about the concern (Taz 27 on Sh”A 92:7) that irui shelo nifsak hakiluach is comparable to noggim ze be ze? The Taz brings the opinion of the Rashal that says that the heter is ossur kulo.

Isn’t this a concern that someone will pour the coffee directly from the urn onto a treif milk/topping/flavor?

starbucks
February 14, 2011 10:45 pm

The actual black coffee containers have electrical parts on the bottom so they can not be washed in the sink .In most places they wash them in their place by running hot water through them with a sanitizer pill. The same procedure is done with the espresso machine , at the end of the day they run the water through with sanitizer pill. All the other utensils are a problem including the glass shots the metal spoons and cups that they use for mixing , and the blender.

cholov akum
February 14, 2011 10:26 pm

the heter of reb moshe does not apply nowadays

#23
February 14, 2011 10:07 pm

My friend used to work at a coffee shop and has been saying for years that most employees just throw the brew basket into the dishwasher out of laziness.

Cholav akum
February 14, 2011 9:50 pm

Check out torah cafe’s “got milk” rabbi Fogelman explains it in plain simple English

tea lounge
February 14, 2011 9:50 pm

Maybe someone should make the same chart for the tea lounge in brooklyn… where everyone THINKS that everything is kosher, just like in starbucks!!

New slogan for Starbucks
February 14, 2011 9:10 pm

“Starbucks – Part of your Shlichus”

– based on what an active Shliach told me that the best way to meet yidden these days to spend a few hours at Starbucks once a week.

To #7
February 14, 2011 8:19 pm

Their soy milk is almost always a dairy product. Unless you personally check the container of the soy milk, assume it is cholov stam.

Cholov Yisrael?
February 14, 2011 8:04 pm

As far as I know, correct me if I’m wrong, even to have Starbucks heat up soy milk (for a latte or an iced latte which they heat up then pour on ice) is problematic, since the steam nozzle they use to heat it up with is also used for actual milk. So when they heat up the soy milk it mixes in what was absorbed from the Cholov Akim milk, now making the soy milk Cholov Akim as well.

That being said, does anyone know what the CRC policy is in regard to the Cholov Yisrael issue?

WHT? CONFUESED?
February 14, 2011 7:56 pm

even the soy pitcher is washed in the dishwasher together with the trief dishes?!!?!?!?!?!?

Elchonon Hellinger
February 14, 2011 7:52 pm

#21, Which items are you talking about ? for a reg cup of coffee theres nothing for them to wash, for a iced coffee i just wrote about. btw whether you hold on rav moshe’s psak on chalav akum or not (i dont) his argument on FDA regulations and the like hold true for starbucks in terms of dairy and pareve according to the shach in taruvos we rely on the goy becuse he is concerned about his job. Starbucks relies on a streamlined drink preparation, with careful restrictions on the way stuff is handled to protect taste and lactose… Read more »

Black Coffee=kosher?
February 14, 2011 7:52 pm

I always thought that we can get plain black coffee anywhere–is that not the case?

Please answer

Elchonon Hellinger
February 14, 2011 7:47 pm

I am writing this from starbucks in north miami beach florida 163rd st and 22nd ave. After reading this, I went to the barristas here who showed me the whole kitchen and cleaning process. They do not put any coffee related stuff in the dishwashers.. only the food items go in.. the pitchers for ice coffee and tea are washed in the sink which is near the drink preperation area and nothing else goes there. As far as regular coffee they use disposable filters and do not wash anything. The CRC needs to research right and contact starbucks for a… Read more »

To all who have replied to #6 and To #6
February 14, 2011 7:22 pm

#6 is correct in the aspect that not everyone is stringent in the laws of chalav yisrael. However, #2 stated clearly “to those that adhere to the standards of Chalov Yisroel” So why does #6 feel the need to reply to someone who was not addressing him (assuming that #6 does not “adhere to the standards of Chalov Yisroel”, and if he/she does “adhere to the standards of Chalov Yisroel” then again why are you replying for those who this #2’s message is not addressed to.) obviously, you are really feeling guilty about something……. Or you are just really unintelligent… Read more »

Moshe
February 14, 2011 7:09 pm

Once I went to a Starbucks and they were out of the soy-milk they usually use, so they were using a non-Kosher brand, make sure you see what they are using!

shtusim she'be'shtusim
February 14, 2011 7:09 pm

The “heter” of Reb Moshe Z”L is b’chlallal NOT relevant today – due to the issues with procedures being done among the cows that are milked for cholov stam!
There are serious kashrus problems – that are rampant in the cholov stam industry – to the point that leading kashrus authorities are saying that it’s no longer a viable option to have cholov stam, and one should ONLY use cholov yisroel for a whole year.

Chabad Don't Compromise!
February 14, 2011 6:26 pm

It is well known that Rav Moshe Feinstein permitted – in his exact words – the milk of companies. (not chalav yisrael). In fact, the entire Feinstein family including Rav Moshe was never personally makpid on Chalav Yisroel.

So what!

Our Poskim of Anash 100% agree that it is our Minhag to driink only Chalav Yisroel and equipment kashered at 212 degrees.

Thank you for sharing this article but it’s mostly irrelevant for Anash.

Soy Milk
February 14, 2011 6:21 pm

I was once in a Starbucks and checked the Soy Milk container. It had a hechsher with a “DE” next to it. This means it was made in dairy equipment. So although it is not dairy, it was made in non cholov yisroel equipment – which is problematic for one who keeps cholov yisroel.

Five Myths
February 14, 2011 5:38 pm

Myth 1. “They wouldn’t put milk into their pots for black coffee.” While mostly true, there are many, many times when coffee pots are brewed with milk. Thermos are a lot more likely to have had hot milk in them. And if its a Abdulla corner store, how on earth can you know that their thermos’ were not use for oyster soup. Myth 2. “Nothing wrong with black coffee in a paper cup.” Even if you order plain black coffee in a paper cup, ask the employee where his paws were before smushing down that plastic lid onto your paper… Read more »

to 9
February 14, 2011 5:26 pm

“The Rebbe says that one needs to KOSHER their utensils and pots if they were used with Cholov Akum (even with the “hechsher” of Reb Moshe z”l)”

btw it’s shulchan aruch, not something the rebbe came up with (unless when you say the rebbe you mean the alter rebbe)

what about moca latte soy????
February 14, 2011 5:18 pm

i know some flavors are 100% kosher, is moca one of them???

brew basket
February 14, 2011 4:57 pm

as far as i know the brew basket is built in and washed in place. they always use paper filters.

yay
February 14, 2011 4:45 pm

thank you so much for publishing this it was really very needed. everyone is always arguing about whats allowed and whats not.

Saw it with my own eyes
February 14, 2011 4:33 pm

I past a Starbuch store in the late evening. I saw the employee place all the coffee item in a hot dishwasher together with other utensils that were not kosher. I’ve been telling people able this and no one believes me or maybe they dont WANT to bleve me because it’s so convenient and the coffee smells so good.
Anyway, I’m vewry happy that a reliable Hesher organization has published this info.

Doubts in Emunah…
February 14, 2011 3:59 pm

Pleases see Igros Kodesh Vol 22 pp. 132

ונעם לי להודע מהצלחת פעולתו בהנוגע לחלב ישראל במחנם הט’ ובפרט ע”פ סיפור הידוע מרבותינו נשיאינו, איך שחלב ישראל דוקא נוגע לחיזוק האמונה, וחלב שחלבו עכו”ם ואין ישראל רואהו, מביא ח”ו לספיקות באמונה, וק”ל.

ויהי רצון שתהי’ הצלחה מלאה בהאמור וזכות הרבים מסייע אותו וכל אלה המשתדלים בזה.

Brewed coffee is not allowed!!!!???
February 14, 2011 3:54 pm

According to the chart above the crc is forbidding brewed coffee. not because of chalav yisrael, but because of the meat sandwiches.

This would apply to those who keep chalav yisrael and those who dont

chalav akum is metamtem the moach and the lev
February 14, 2011 3:52 pm

the Rebbe’s opinion on this is well documented. Only Chalav Yisrael

to #6
February 14, 2011 3:43 pm

“many of us” i think you are very wrong
most lubavitchers or at least 95% eat only cholov yisroel

חלב ישראל
February 14, 2011 3:43 pm

See Igros Kodesh Vol3 Letter # 668 בנוגע לשאלתו על דבר זה שמבשלים לפעמים חלב עכו”ם בהכלים שמבשלים בעד כל הבחורים, הנה אם אמת הוא בודאי יוכלו לפעול הוא וחבריו לאכול ממה שנתבשל בכלים אחרים. Toras Menachem 5711 Vol. 2 pp 153 וע”ד המסופר (ד”ה כי נער ישראל תרס”ו) אודות הרה”צ ר’ מנחם נחום מטשערנאָביל שפעם הגישו לו (ע”פ טעות) חלב עכו”ם, ולא ראהו, ואח”כ הסביר זאת ע”פ מאמר המשנה “חלב שחלבו עכו”ם ואין ישראל רואהו כו'”, שהפירוש בזה, ש”חלב שחלבו עכו”ם” אזי “אין ישראל רואהו”, יהודי אינו רואה זאת, שכן, מה שאינו נצרך לראות אינו רואה. וההסברה בזה –… Read more »

#6 d
February 14, 2011 3:42 pm

If you are a Chassid Chabad you must feel “the need to be that way” Reb Moshe’s heter was only for extreme cases. He never meant it to apply to every Shnook who just “needs” a chalav akum frappaccino. it was for kids who lived in places where Chalav Yisroel was not readily available.

CMP
February 14, 2011 3:42 pm

To number seven yes there is a problem because the coffee is hot and if they brewed hot coffee with non cholov yisroel milk then the utensil used is considered treif and needs to be kashered

to 6
February 14, 2011 3:40 pm

although well known it seems u know nothing about it

To Chaim #6
February 14, 2011 3:38 pm

R’ Moshe Feinstein said clearly his Heter is for those poeple who anyway wouldn’t eat cholov yisroel in order to be melamed zchus on them…
Someone who doesn’t have cholov yisroel available is a different story. But living in America with it readily available everywhere. The “Kal She’Be’Kalim” in Tanya is referring to someone who walks into a store, buys all the cholov yisroel ice-cream and then buys all the non-cholov yisroel ice-cream ALSO. So being in America, if you don’t keep cholov yisroel…

CMP
February 14, 2011 3:32 pm

The heter of rabbi moshe feinstein in his own words was only for people that lived in a situation where cholov yisroel milk was HARD TO GET and only someone who IS NOT A BEN TORAH should follow this heter! In his own words! And his heter doesnt cover the problem of milk that is milked from cows that have had a n operation for a displaced stomach which is very common these days and is not kept track of. The milk from these cows is treif from the torah. Also there is no hechser on the vitamens and emulsifiars… Read more »

To # 6
February 14, 2011 3:31 pm

I would like to know where R’ Moshe’s Heter is? The heter was only if you really must have milk (DR’s orders), and if there would be a Hefsed Mrubah, which is not for 99% of Yidden.
So, what Heter?

Cholov Akum?
February 14, 2011 3:31 pm

what about Cholov Akum????

The Rebbe says that one needs to KOSHER their utensils and pots if they were used with Cholov Akum (even with the “hechsher” of Reb Moshe z”l)

TO #6
February 14, 2011 3:30 pm

Chaim, #2 was speaking to Lubavitchers who follow the Rebbe, Not Harav Feinstein.
And when i say Lubavitchers i mean those who follow the Shulchan Aruch……

cholov yisroel
February 14, 2011 3:24 pm

Does cholov yisroel add any problems? If I order a regular brewed coffee & ask them to add soymilk (and watch is being poured straight from the container to my paper cup) is there anything else that could have problems with dairy equipment?

Chaim
February 14, 2011 3:05 pm

To #2

Not everyone is as stringent as you. The Heter of R’ Moshe Feinstein in this matter is well known. If you wish to be more stringent by all means do so but there are many of us who do not feel the need to be that way.

Kosher Kiosk?
February 14, 2011 3:04 pm

At some Kiosks they brew the coffee into a flask which they wash with everything else, why is brewed coffee any more kosher there?

great to know
February 14, 2011 3:02 pm

thanks for publishing

coffee
February 14, 2011 2:52 pm

i was told that the day starbucks started serving hot MEAT TRAIFFFFFFsandwiches (18 months ago)it became exactly like ordering a coffee at mcdonalds !!!!!

CHOLOV YISROEL
February 14, 2011 2:51 pm

Nothing the CRC wrote is relevant to those that adhere to the standards of Chalov Yisroel, including kashering non-Cholov Yisroel dishes as specified in Shulchan Aruch.

question
February 14, 2011 2:38 pm

only in USA or also brazil and wtvr?

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