Starbucks tests plant-based chicken for the first time in the U.S.

Starbucks USA is now testing 18 new menu items in several stores, including six plant-based meal and dessert options. According to media reports, the new plant-based meals will use plant-based eggs from JUST Egg and plant-based chicken from Daring.

The limited-time menu is currently available at three Starbucks locations in the DC Metro area, with plant-based meal options including:

Salty food:

—Plant-Based Chicken Sausage and Pepper Sous-Vide Bite (Daring jalapeño chicken sausage and JUST Egg)
—Plant-Based Smoky Poblano & Black Bean Sous-Vide Bite (JUST Egg base with black beans, lime zest, sweet corn, roasted poblano peppers, and smoky chipotle chili)
—Plant-Based Chicken Sausage & Pepper Sandwich Mini (A sandwich version of its test chicken sausage bite) Plant-Based Chicken Sausage & Pepper Sandwich Mini.

Dessert:

—Golden Ginger Coconut Boba Bite (Inspired by Taiwanese boba tea with tapioca pearls, ginger, and turmeric)
—Mocha Coconut Boba Bite (Featuring coconut milk and chocolate)
—Warm Oatmeal Bite with Granola Crunch (A warmed, hand-held bite served with crunchy granola)

A Starbucks spokesman said. : “Starbucks continues to drive the future of the company in innovative ways. One of the ways we do this is by focusing on enhancing the Starbucks experience by testing and expanding our food menu.

First launch of plant-based chicken in the U.S.
This isn’t the first time Starbucks has experimented with plant-based eggs, the JUST Egg — in 2020, the chain reportedly tested a plant-powered breakfast sandwich featuring the JUST Egg at a location outside Seattle.

Over the past few years, Starbucks has gradually added plant-based menu options, most notably in 2020 with its breakfast sandwiches using Impossible plant-based sausages. A Starbucks spokesperson said, “Testing is a way of life at Starbucks and we will continue to introduce new beverages and foods to our global menu while innovating across key platforms such as espresso, cold brew, refreshments, food and more. “