Starbucks chocolate malt powder is a sweet version of the traditional malt powder made using a mixture of malt flavor, cocoa powder, and cane sugar. The powder is based on evaporated milk and wheat, which are then roasted until they produce the sweet chocolate malt.
More specifically, the term “malt” means a grain (typically barley) that’s been sprouted and dried fast. The grain is then ground up and combined with powdered milk and wheat flour to produce malted milk powder.
Chocolate malt powder is relatively cheap and available at many larger grocery stores. This is why it is quickly gaining a massive fan base among milkshake lovers.
Chocolate Malt Powder Origins
Malt powder can be traced back to the late 1800s when it was originally made as a supplement for infants. It was later popularized by explorers, who saw it as a compact source of nutrition. Since then, malt powder has grown to be loved as a flavoring additive.
If your recipe calls for malted milk powder, there is a lot of leg room for under and over-measuring. In addition, you can use it on so many sweet foods without changing the baking or cooking chemistry.
When looking for chocolate malted milk powder, ensure that it is actually malted milk powder and not malt syrup or powdered milk. They are not the same.
For storage, malted milk powder should be kept in an airtight container free of moisture. As malted milk powder is a dehydrated powder, it is highly susceptible to water.
Starbucks drinks with Chocolate malt powder
Chocolate malt powder at Starbucks is used to make one drink: the Iced Chocolate Shaken Espresso.
Starbucks Iced Chocolate Espresso is a tasty delight that combines almond milk, espresso, and chocolate. The addition of ice results in a chill, creamy espresso that is topped with sweet almond milk.
The chocolate goes really well with the nutty almond milk. This cold espresso is the real deal for avid coffee lovers as it is not too sweet in comparison to drinks such as the iced caramel macchiato.
In fact, all 3 shaken espresso flavors on the menu (Brown Sugar Oatmilk, Chocolate Almondmilk, and Iced Shaken Espresso) have fewer carbs than most other similarly sized iced espresso beverages by up to 50 percent.
You can ask the barista to add extra syrup if you are looking for a sweeter drink. You can even add some sweetener like the classic syrup if you are taking the Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso.
What you need to know about Starbucks Iced Chocolate Espresso:
- The almond milk at Starbucks is sweetened
- You can substitute the almond milk with a dairy milk or another plant-based milk such as oat or soy
- The recipe uses blonde roast espresso
- Some Starbucks locations (including licensed stores) do not stock blonde espresso. Instead, they use the Starbucks Signature Espresso
- All other chocolate-flavored beverages at Starbucks such as hot chocolate, frappuccinos, and mochas are made using mocha sauce
- If you want to sweeten your drink, you can add a sweetener such as classic syrup. Adding more chocolate powder overpowers the espresso and makes the beverage too chocolatey
- The recipe uses a new ingredient – chocolate malt powder
Chocolate malt powder making process:
This drink is pretty easy to recreate at home. Simply order the ingredients online or grab them at your local store and you are good to go. The best part about making it at home is that you can control all the ingredients and tweak the beverage to your liking. What’s more, you get to save a few bucks in the process.
Ingredients used by Starbucks
- Ice
- Sweetened almond milk
- Starbucks blonde espresso
- Chocolate malt powder
Directions
1. Add the ice. Put ice in a 16 oz drinking glass then pour it into your shaker. Ensure that the glass is completed loaded with ice. Once you mix the ice with your hot espresso, most of it will melt.
2. Top the ice with chocolate malted milk. Putting the powder on top is great because it ensures none of it sticks to the bottom of your glass. All of it is dissolved into the mixture.
3. Add shots of espresso. For this step, pour your espresso over the mixture of ice and chocolate. Again, this will cause the ice to start melting. Bear in mind that your drink size will determine how much espresso you use.
Generally, you need 2 ounces or two shots for a 16-ounce homemade drink. At Starbucks, a triple espresso shot gives you 2.25 ounces (not 3 ounces).
So if you are making a copycat recipe at home for a 16-ounce (grand size) serving, all you need is a 2-ounce double shot.
4. Add almond milk. For the final step, pour in your almond milk.
Nutrition: Calories: 62 | Iron: 1mg | Calcium: 91mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Vitamin A: 13IU | Sugar: 7g | Fiber: 1g | Potassium: 171mg | Sodium: 127mg | Cholesterol: 1mg | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fat: 1g | Protein: 1g Carbohydrates: 11g
For the ultimate replica recipe, get Starbucks Blonde Espresso for your espresso. Also, use filtered water when brewing your espresso and preparing the ice cubes. Sometimes it may take some effort to blend everything together.
If your almond milk does not mix properly with coffee, shake thoroughly to incorporate all the ingredients together.
How to use Starbucks chocolate malt powder
Chocolate malt powder can be used in several different ways. The most popular application is in the malted milk. You can simply combine the chocolate malt powder with milk and a spot of chocolate syrup to sweeten the drink.
Chocolate malts were a favorite about a century ago, but they are slowly making a comeback, especially at higher-end ice cream shops.
Another way you can use chocolate malt is in baking, particularly if your recipe calls for cocoa or chocolate powder.
Some people also add malt to their homemade sauces to give it a little oomph. For example, you could add a spot of malt to your chili or barbecue sauce for a thick, slightly sweet flavor.
FAQ
Does Chocolate Malt Powder have caffeine?
No, Starbucks chocolate malt powder is caffeine-free because its main ingredients – barley and wheat – do not contain any.
What is the difference between Malt and Milkshake?
The main difference between a milkshake and a malt is that a malt uses malted milk powder. Otherwise, they both use the same ingredients (including ice cream, milk, and flavorings such as fudge or fruit syrup).
A milkshake is a drink that is made by “shaking” or mixing milk with other additives until frothy. The ingredients in a milkshake typically include a mixture of ice cream, blended whole milk, and other variables such as chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry syrup, which also serves as a sweetener.
You can also use pre-flavored kinds of milk like chocolate milk, depending on which milkshake you are making.
That said, adding malted milk powder does bring a few differences between these two beverages. For starters, the malt in malted milk powder gives the drink a toastier flavor than a simple milkshake.
Additionally, malt has a more savory taste and a thicker consistency, while a regular milkshake tastes sweet and features a creamy consistency. What’s more, due to the addition of barley in malt powder, there are slightly more nutrients in malt than in a regular milkshake.
Can you make your own chocolate malt powder?
Yes, you can make chocolate malt powder at home using three simple ingredients: sugar, malt powder, and cocoa powder. Just follow the directions detailed in this article.
How much chocolate malt powder should I use?
Chocolate malt powder has a sweet flavor, but you can add more if you need your drink sweeter than usual. For example, three tablespoons can give you a good balance between coffee, malt, and chocolate if you are making a tall cup. You can add a tablespoon of powder for a stronger chocolate malt flavor.
You could add ½ tablespoon of sugar or a tablespoon of sugar syrup for an even sweeter drink.
Final Thoughts:
If you ask someone to name a frozen ice cream beverage today, chances are it will be a chocolate shake. In the not-so-distant past, the answer would have likely been a chocolate malt.
This frosty drink has a unique flavor brought by the inclusion of malt powder, which gives the drink a rich, slightly nutty caramel taste.
