Thailand’s Top Coffee Chains Cut Default Sugar by 50%

Thailand’s largest coffee chain has leaned into the 50% sweetness baseline with simple, visual signage and direct barista prompts. Expect half-sweet as the default for popular iced drinks, with quick options to choose 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%. For a cleaner cup, order an Americano, cold brew, or an iced latte with no syrup. If you love Thai-style beverages, ask for less condensed milk or switch to fresh milk only. Watch for premade powders in cocoa or Thai tea, they can be sweet before syrups are added. Pro tip: say “mai wan” for no added sugar, and “waan 25%” for a lighter touch that still feels balanced in the Thai heat.

Starbucks has strong sweetness control through its app and counter customizations. With the new half-sweet default, most classics start with less syrup, while you can tap in app to remove classic syrup entirely, choose “light” pumps, or swap to sugar-free options where available. Cold brew, nitro, and americanos are naturally low-sugar wins. If you love frappes, ask for no base syrup, light syrup, or fewer pumps, and skip whipped cream. Milk matters too: unsweetened milk and fewer toppings go a long way. Save your favorite low-sugar build in the app so every future order stays consistent, even when you’re rushing.

Ubiquitous and affordable, All Cafe now defaults to around 50% sweetness for its iced coffees and milk-based drinks. Many counters and kiosks show clear sweetness steps, so pick 0% or 25% if you’re cutting sugar. For the simplest fix, order iced Americano, hot espresso, or milk coffee with no syrup. Be cautious with Thai tea, cocoa, and flavored lattes, some use presweetened mixes. If a touchscreen is available, confirm “no syrup” before paying, and tell the barista “mai sai nam cheuam” for no syrup and “mai sai nom khondens” for no condensed milk. Budget-friendly and everywhere, this is the easiest place to make low-sugar your routine.

A homegrown pioneer, Black Canyon has adapted menus to highlight reduced default sweetness while keeping customization simple at the counter. If you’re watching sugar, lean on espresso with milk, Americanos, or cold brew, and ask for no syrup. Iced Thai beverages are delicious but can be sweet from premixes, so request fresh milk only or switch to a straight coffee base. Portion size makes a difference, choose small, and skip whipped cream. Staff are accustomed to “mai wan” requests, and you can fine-tune to 25% or 50% if you still want a touch of sweetness without the spike.

Known for sustainability and highway convenience, Inthanin has embraced the half-sugar standard with clear on-cup markings for sweetness and ice levels at many branches. Go for cold brew, Americano, or lattes with no syrup, and ask for light or no condensed milk in Thai-style drinks. Some seasonal items use cane syrup or flavored sauces, so specify “no sauce, no syrup” if you’re strict. Their smaller sizes are well balanced even at 25% sweetness, a good middle ground if you find 0% too stark. Friendly staff and simple phrasing like “waan 25%” make ordering painless on long drives.

Backed by a tech brand, True Coffee typically offers straightforward sweetness controls at the counter, now with half-sweet as the baseline. If you order via app or kiosk, lock in “no syrup” and save it. For lower sugar without sacrificing texture, choose an iced latte with no syrup, or Americano topped with a splash of milk. Fans of blended drinks should request no base syrup and fewer toppings. If you encounter a branch with presweetened mixes, ask the barista to build your drink from espresso, milk, and ice only. Quick, consistent, and commuter-friendly.

Popular in office districts and hospitals, D’Oro’s baristas are used to precise sweetness requests. With the default now set to about 50% sweet, you can comfortably step down to 25% or zero for regular coffees. For Thai tea or cocoa cravings, ask them to avoid premix powders if possible and use fresh milk, or go half-size to keep sugars in check. A simple script works: “mai wan,” no syrup, and no whipped cream. Their espresso is approachable, so milk-only lattes without syrup taste balanced even at 0–25% sweetness, a reliable workday option.

Mezzo pairs coffee with pastries, so sweetness can creep up fast. The new half-sweet default helps, but you’ll still want to customize. Ask for an iced latte with no syrup, or an Americano with a splash of milk. For flavored choices, go light pumps or no sauce, and keep sizes small. Their staff are generally familiar with the “waan 25%/50%” phrasing, and will confirm. If you pick a pastry, balance it with a zero-sugar drink so you don’t double up. Mezzo’s straightforward approach makes it a dependable stop when you want control without fuss.

A mall staple, Coffee World has embraced the new half-sweet default while keeping its menu of classic frappes and lattes. Blended drinks can still be sugar-heavy unless you tailor them, so request no base syrup, no drizzle, and no whipped cream, and consider a smaller cup. If you prefer brewed options, an Americano, cold brew, or cappuccino with no syrup lands in the low-sugar zone. Staff can usually adjust to 0%, 25%, or 50% sweetness quickly. If you’re sensitive to artificial sweeteners, specify “no sweetener,” and let the coffee do the talking.