Shark Tank India's Anupam Mittal: 'Starbucks is not a coffee chain. It’s a very high-sugar dessert store'

Responding to Anupam Mittal's post, buying several social media users pointed out that buying from Starbucks is a status symbol in India. (Image credit: Anupam Mittal. Starbucks India/Instagram)

Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal on Thursday commented on the high sugar levels in the beverages served by popular coffee brand Starbucks. Taking to social media, the founder of People Group and Shaadi.com called the company a "dessert store".

"Aaj realize hua (Today I realised) that Starbucks is not a coffee chain. It’s a very high sugar dessert store with laced caffeine… lethal combo," he wrote on X.

Aaj realize hua that Starbucks is not a coffee chain. It’s a v.high sugar dessert store with laced caffeine … lethal combo

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— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) December 21, 2023

Responding to Anupam Mittal's post, an X user said, "Starbucks is also just a status symbol in India, unlike abroad where their prices are on par with other coffee shops. Also, I just find their coffee quite burnt in taste." Another added, "Yeah, the coffee chain is just marketing, the actual product is very bad."

Starbucks has often made news due to the sugar content in its beverages.

According to an analysis by Business Insider, a Grande Starbucks cappuccino contains 12g of sugar, and its new Grande-sized Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino Blended Beverage has 69 grams -- the equivalent of over 20 teaspoons of sugar. One large Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino Blended Beverage from Starbucks has 83 grams of sugar which is equal to almost 21 teaspoons, the publication stated, adding that the company refused to comment on their report.

Business Insider also quoted a health expert -- Lorraine Kearney, a certified dietitian-nutritionist based in New York -- saying that these products are meant to be consumed occasionally and if someone were to have them every day, it could increase their risk of health conditions such as diabetes.

Read more: Sacked Starbucks employee shares every drink's recipe after termination. Viral thread