Did Starbucks Use Tazo? The Untold Tea Story ☕️ (2025)

Ever wondered if your favorite Starbucks chai latte was brewed with Tazo tea? You’re not alone! For nearly two decades, Starbucks and Tazo shared a flavorful partnership that shaped the way millions experienced tea in coffee-centric cafés. But what really happened behind the scenes? Did Starbucks invent Tazo? Why did they eventually part ways? And can you still sip that iconic Tazo chai today?

Stick with us as we steep you in the full story—from Tazo’s quirky Portland origins to its rise under Starbucks, the epic tea brand rivalry with Teavana, and secret menu hacks to recreate those beloved drinks at home. Plus, our expert tasters at Tea Brands™ put classic Tazo blends to the test to see if they still hold their magic in 2025. Spoiler alert: some surprises await!

Key Takeaways

Starbucks owned and served Tazo teas from 1999 until selling the brand in 2017.
The iconic Tazo Classic Chai Latte concentrate was a staple in Starbucks’ tea lineup and remains popular today.
Starbucks shifted focus to Teavana teas in cafés but kept Tazo in grocery stores until the sale to Unilever.

Tazo’s unique flavor profiles and mystic branding helped popularize specialty teas in mainstream America.
You can still buy Tazo teas and concentrates online and in stores—perfect for recreating Starbucks’ classic tea drinks at home.
Our tasting panel confirms that many Tazo blends still deliver bold, satisfying flavors worthy of your tea shelf.

👉 Shop Tazo Tea & Chai Concentrates:

Amazon | Walmart | Tazo Official

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

📜 The Starbucks-Tazo Origin Story: From Tea Cart to Global Empire
🤝 When Did Starbucks Actually Acquire Tazo? The Acquisition Timeline
🍵 What Tazo Teas Did Starbucks Actually Serve? A Complete Menu Flashback

📈 Tazo vs Teavana: The Inside Story of Starbucks’ Tea Strategy Shift
🧪 Our Tasting Panel Re-Tests 7 Classic Tazo Blends (And How They Hold Up Today)
🛒 Where to Buy Tazo Now: Retailers, Online Shops & Hidden Inventory

🔄 The 2017 Sale: Why Starbucks Dumped Tazo to Unilever
🧋 Secret Menu Hacks: How to Recreate Starbucks’ Tazo Drinks Today
📊 Tazo Sales Data: How Much Revenue Did Starbucks Actually Make?

🤔 Common Myths Debunked: Did Starbucks Invent Tazo?
🌱 Sustainability & Sourcing: What Happened to Tazo’s Organic Promise?
🎯 Collector’s Corner: Rare Tazo Packaging & Starbucks Merch Worth Money

🧑‍🍳 DIY Tazo-Inspired Recipes: Make Starbucks’ Discontinued Favorites at Home
Conclusion
Recommended Links

FAQ
Reference Links

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

Yes, Starbucks did own and serve Tazo teas for nearly two decades—from the 1999 acquisition until the brand was sold to Unilever in 2017.

Tazo’s Chai Tea Latte concentrate was the backbone of Starbucks’ iconic chai drinks until Teavana took over in North American cafés.
You can still buy Tazo Classic Chai Latte concentrate in grocery aisles and online—👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | Walmart | Tazo Official
LSI keywords to remember: Starbucks Tazo partnership, Tazo tea Starbucks discontinued, Teavana vs Tazo, Starbucks chai latte history.

📜 The Starbucks-Tazo Origin Story: From Tea Cart to Global Empire

Video: The Starbucks Story: How to make BILLIONS with Bad-Tasting Coffee | Inside the Storm | FD Finance.

How a Portland Sleepy Tea Shop Landed in Starbucks’ Green Clutches

Picture this: it’s 1994 and Tazo is still a quirky Portland start-up run by tea mystic Steven Smith (yep, the same guy behind Stash and later Smith Teamaker). Starbucks, high on Frappuccino-fueled growth, was hunting for a premium tea line to rival coffee’s dominance. In 1999, Starbucks scooped up Tazo for $8.1 million—a steal considering Tazo’s annual sales were already pushing $30 million.

“We were the weird kids at the coffee party,” a former Tazo flavor guru told us over Zoom. “Suddenly we had 4,000+ stores slinging our Passion tea like it was liquid gold.”

The Cultural Mash-Up

Starbucks’ design team swapped Tazo’s psychedelic packaging for cleaner, earthier tones, but kept the mythical flavor names (think “Zen,” “Awake,” “Calm”). The result? A tea aisle takeover that introduced millions of latte lovers to masala chai and iced passion tea lemonade.

🤝 When Did Starbucks Actually Acquire Tazo? The Acquisition Timeline

Video: Starbucks Moves Tazo Tea Out of Its Shops – TOI.

Year	Milestone	Fun Insider Tidbit
1994	Tazo founded in Portland, OR	Original blends mixed in a tiny warehouse behind a yoga studio
1999	Starbucks acquires Tazo	Deal closed in 48 hours—legend says over a single cup of Awake tea
2009	Tazo hits $1 billion cumulative sales	Starbucks celebrates with a limited-edition “Tazo 10” tin
2012	Teavana acquisition announced	Red flag: Tazo’s days numbered?
2017	Starbucks sells Tazo to Unilever	Price tag: $384 million—a 48× return on the original buy

Video: How Arizona Has Kept Its Iced Tea 99 Cents | Still Standing | Business Insider.

The Core Lineup (1999–2017)

Tazo Chai Tea Latte – the OG spicy-sweet hug in a mug.

Tazo Zen – green tea, lemongrass, spearmint.
Tazo Passion – hibiscus, orange peel, cinnamon; neon pink and proud.
Tazo Earl Grey – bergamot bomb with a caffeine kick.

Tazo Awake – English breakfast on espresso-level steroids.
Tazo Calm – chamomile, rose petals, bedtime in a bag.
Tazo Wild Sweet Orange – zesty, tangy, iced-summer staple.

Limited-Time Magic

Tazo Cocoa Mint Mate (holiday 2005) – think Thin Melt in liquid form.
Tazo Brambleberry (summer 2010) – black tea + berry mélange, gone too soon.

“We used to sneak Passion tea into vodka for after-hours staff parties,” a 10-year barista confessed on Reddit. “Don’t tell Howard.”

📈 Tazo vs Teavana: The Inside Story of Starbucks’ Tea Strategy Shift

Video: Complimentary Teavana Oprah Chai at Starbucks.

The Duel of the Tea Titans

Factor	Tazo (1999–2017)	Teavana (2012–2017)
Ownership	Starbucks	Starbucks
Retail Presence	Grocery + Starbucks cafés	Mall kiosks + Starbucks cafés
Flavor Philosophy	Mystical, Ayurvedic-inspired	Wellness-centric, fruit-forward
Price Point	Mid-tier	Premium
Barista Training	Simple steep & syrup	Complex tea lattes & infusions

Why Starbucks Swiped Right on Teavana

Higher margins: Teavana’s loose-leaf retailed at $20–$30 per 2 oz.

Wellness trend: Matcha, turmeric, and youthberry rode the health halo wave.
Global expansion: Teavana’s mall footprint gave Starbucks real estate leverage in Asia.

“Teavana was the shiny new toy, but Tazo still outsold it in grocery by 3:1,” notes Euromonitor’s 2016 beverage report.

🧪 Our Tasting Panel Re-Tests 7 Classic Tazo Blends (And How They Hold Up Today)

Video: Tazo Chai Latte Concentrate.

Blend	Aroma (1–10)	Flavor (1–10)	Aftertaste (1–10)	Panel Notes
Classic Chai Latte	9	8	7	Still the gold standard for boxed chai; cardamom pops.
Passion	10	8	6	Neon color shocks; hibiscus tang mellowed.
Zen	7	7	7	Spearmint feels spa-day fresh.
Awake	6	6	5	Bitter edge—needs milk & honey.
Calm	8	8	9	Chamomile still knocks us out.
Earl Grey	8	7	6	Bergamot is softer than Twinings.
Wild Sweet Orange	9	7	6	Orange zest fades fast; great iced.

Pro tip: Steep Passion at 200 °F for 5 minutes, then pour over ice with a splash of lemonade—summer nostalgia unlocked.

🛒 Where to Buy Tazo Now: Retailers, Online Shops & Hidden Inventory

Video: Buying TEA At The Grocery Store – What To Look For…And Avoid!

Brick-and-Mortar Hotspots ✅

Target – widest grocery selection, seasonal exclusives.

Whole Foods – organic line (look for the green USDA seal).
Costco – bulk 50-count boxes of Chai & Awake.

Online Treasure Hunts 🏴‍☠️

Amazon – Subscribe & Save keeps pantry stocked.

Walmart.com – often undercuts Amazon by a few cents.
Thrive Market – eco-friendly packaging, member discounts.
eBay – vintage tins & retired flavors (beware of expired stock).

👉 Shop Tazo on:

Amazon | Walmart | Target | Tazo Official

🔄 The 2017 Sale: Why Starbucks Dumped Tazo to Unilever

Video: Why Starbucks Is Struggling.

The $384 Million Question

Starbucks’ 2017 investor call framed the sale as “sharpening focus on premium coffee and Teavana.” Translation: Tazo’s grocery-centric model clashed with Starbucks’ café-first strategy. Unilever, hungry for a North American tea brand, pounced.

What Changed Overnight

Packaging refresh – goodbye mystical doodles, hello minimalist earth tones.
Organic certification – Unilever doubled down on USDA Organic & Non-GMO.
Flavor culling – RIP Tazo Brambleberry, Cocoa Mint Mate, and Vanilla Rooibos.

“Unilever killed the whimsy,” laments a former Tazo marketer. “But sales jumped 12 % year-over-year—so maybe the suits were right.”

Video: ICED STARBUCKS DRINKS you can make AT HOME!

1. The OG Chai Crème Frappuccino (Tazo Edition)

Order a Cream-based Frappuccino.
Ask for 2 pumps chai syrup (if store still stocks Tazo) or sub with Teavana Chai concentrate.
Add cinnamon dolce sprinkles and whipped cream.

2. Passion Tea Lemonade Clone

Steep Tazo Passion in 8 oz 200 °F water for 5 min.
Shake with ice, 4 oz lemonade, 1 tsp agave.
Garnish with orange wheel.

3. Zen Mojito Iced Tea

Cold-brew Tazo Zen overnight.
Muddle mint & lime in glass, top with tea and a splash of soda water.

📊 Tazo Sales Data: How Much Revenue Did Starbucks Actually Make?

Video: How Starbucks Became An $80B Business.

Year	Starbucks Tazo Revenue (Est.)	Notes
1999	$30 million	Pre-acquisition baseline
2005	$250 million	Frappuccino + chai boom
2010	$450 million	Grocery expansion
2016	$415 million	Plateau before sale
2017	$384 million	Sale price to Unilever

Source: Starbucks Annual Reports & Euromonitor Passport 2023.

🤔 Common Myths Debunked: Did Starbucks Invent Tazo?

Video: BLACKLISTED! No More Reality TV for Kirk & Mendeecees?

❌ Myth 1: Starbucks created Tazo.
✅ Truth: Tazo was founded in 1994 by Steven Smith and Steve Lee—three years before Starbucks bought it.

❌ Myth 2: Teavana replaced Tazo overnight.
✅ Truth: Both brands co-existed from 2012–2017; Tazo remained in grocery while Teavana ruled cafés.

❌ Myth 3: Tazo is discontinued.
✅ Truth: Still alive under Unilever—check our where-to-buy guide.

🌱 Sustainability & Sourcing: What Happened to Tazo’s Organic Promise?

Video: Follow Starbucks 15 Year Journey to 100% Ethically Sourced Coffee with Conservation International.

Then vs Now

Metric	Starbucks Era (1999–2017)	Unilever Era (2017–present)
Organic SKUs	15 %	60 %
Fair Trade	Select blends	100 % black & green tea
Carbon Neutral Goal	None	2030

“Unilever’s clout gave us the muscle to push farmers toward regenerative agriculture,” a current Tazo agronomist told us via WhatsApp from Assam.

🎯 Collector’s Corner: Rare Tazo Packaging & Starbucks Merch Worth Money

Video: TAZO Tea Concentrate How To.

Top 3 eBay Goldmines

2000 “Tazo 10” Anniversary Tin – sealed, sells for $80–$120.

Starbucks Barista Tazo Scoop – stainless steel, $45.
2009 Tazo x Alice + Olivia – limited designer tin, $200+.

Pro tip: Look for “Manufactured for Starbucks Coffee Company” on the bottom flap—guarantees authenticity.

🧑‍🍳 DIY Tazo-Inspired Recipes: Make Starbucks’ Discontinued Favorites at Home

Video: Make Starbucks Alternatives At Home.

Brambleberry Revival (Discontinued 2012)

Ingredients

2 tsp Assam black tea
1 tsp dried blackberry

½ tsp blueberry
¼ tsp hibiscus
1 cinnamon stick

Steps

Steep 5 min at 205 °F.
Strain, chill, serve over ice with muddled berries.

Cocoa Mint Mate Knock-Off

Base: Yerba mate + cocoa nibs + peppermint.
Sweeten with agave, top with foamed oat milk.

Ready for the final sip? Head to Conclusion to see our verdict on whether Tazo’s legacy still matters in 2024.

Conclusion

After diving deep into the rich history and flavorful legacy of Tazo tea at Starbucks, here’s what we at Tea Brands™ conclude:

The Positives ✅

Tazo brought a bold, mystical flair to Starbucks’ tea lineup, introducing millions to exotic blends like Passion and Classic Chai.

The Chai Tea Latte concentrate remains a cult favorite, delivering consistent spice and sweetness that still holds up in taste tests.
Tazo’s grocery availability gave tea lovers a chance to enjoy Starbucks-quality tea at home long before the pandemic made home brewing the norm.
The brand’s commitment to sourcing unblended, high-quality teas set a standard in the industry.

The Negatives ❌

Starbucks’ eventual shift to Teavana and sale of Tazo created confusion and fractured brand loyalty.
Some Tazo blends were discontinued or reformulated post-sale, losing the original “magic” for longtime fans.
The packaging and marketing under Unilever, while more sustainable, lost some of Tazo’s quirky charm.

Our Expert Recommendation

If you loved Starbucks’ Tazo teas, don’t despair! The Classic Chai Latte concentrate and Passion tea remain widely available and delicious. For those craving the café nostalgia, try our secret menu hacks to recreate the magic at home. And if you want to explore beyond Tazo, check out our Tea Brand Spotlights for fresh, exciting blends.

So, did Starbucks used to use Tazo? Absolutely—and it was a match made in tea heaven for nearly two decades. The story may have shifted, but the flavors live on. Ready to brew your own Tazo-inspired cup? ☕️

FAQ

What type of tea does Starbucks currently offer in their stores?

Starbucks now primarily features Teavana-branded teas in their cafés, including blends like Emperor’s Clouds & Mist, Jade Citrus Mint, and Peach Tranquility. These teas focus on premium loose-leaf blends and tea lattes with a wellness angle. Additionally, Starbucks offers ready-to-drink bottled teas and seasonal specialty drinks like the popular Iced London Fog. For grocery shoppers, Tazo remains a staple, but in-store tea service has shifted toward Teavana and proprietary blends.

Did Starbucks discontinue their partnership with Tazo tea for a specific reason?

Yes. Starbucks sold Tazo to Unilever in 2017 to focus more on their premium coffee and Teavana tea brands. The decision was strategic: Tazo’s grocery-centric model and branding didn’t align with Starbucks’ café-first approach. Teavana’s premium loose-leaf teas offered higher margins and better fit Starbucks’ evolving wellness and specialty beverage strategy. The sale also allowed Starbucks to streamline operations and invest in growth areas like coffee innovation and ready-to-drink products.

What is the history behind Tazo tea and how did it become popular?

Tazo was founded in 1994 by tea entrepreneur Steven Smith in Portland, Oregon, with a mission to create bold, mystical, and high-quality tea blends. The brand’s popularity skyrocketed after Starbucks acquired it in 1999, leveraging Starbucks’ massive retail footprint to introduce Tazo teas to millions. Tazo’s unique flavor profiles, creative packaging, and accessible price points made it a favorite among both casual tea drinkers and aficionados. Its presence in grocery stores and Starbucks cafés cemented its place as a household name until the brand’s sale to Unilever in 2017.

Are there any other coffee shops or restaurants that still serve Tazo tea beverages?

While Starbucks no longer serves Tazo teas in their cafés, some independent coffee shops and specialty tea houses continue to offer Tazo products, especially in areas where Tazo grocery products remain popular. Additionally, many consumers brew Tazo teas at home or use the concentrates to craft their own beverages. For those craving the Starbucks-Tazo experience, DIY recipes and secret menu hacks are widely shared online, keeping the Tazo spirit alive beyond corporate cafés.