Starbucks Unleashes Olive Oil Infusion: A Game-Changer in the Coffee World

Starbucks, the global coffee giant, is taking a bold step to redefine the coffee experience by introducing its olive oil-infused beverage to the market. In an ambitious move to enhance consumer satisfaction, the U.S. brand has expanded its product line to include a coffee infusion featuring olive oil.

According to a study by Kantar Millward Brown, in 2021, Starbucks achieved its highest brand value since the beginning of the period, reaching an impressive $61.758 billion. Globally, the brand boasts over 80 million customers each week, equivalent to serving 3.84 billion people annually, a testament to the enduring popularity of the coffee chain established in 1971.

Starbucks and the Olive Oil Infusion

As part of its 2024 product launches, starting January 30th, Starbucks is set to nationally roll out its innovative Oleato drinks, infused with extra virgin olive oil from Partanna. These beverages, blending Starbucks' Arabica coffee beans with cold-pressed olive oil, initially debuted in Italy in February 2023 and later expanded to select locations in California and Reserve and Roastery stores in March of the same year.

Oleato drinks will be available in all Starbucks-operated and licensed stores in the United States, including supermarkets, airports, and university campuses. However, some consumers who had early access to these drinks reported experiencing stomach issues, raising concerns about the combination of coffee and olive oil.

Following their launch, a Reddit thread titled "Olive Oil Drinks..." saw baristas and customers sharing their experiences and opinions. Some expressed concerns about potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, related to the combination of caffeine and oil. Despite these concerns, Starbucks continues to promote Oleato drinks as a unique and revolutionary experience.

Global Expansion of Oleato

Oleato, meaning "oiled" in Italian, is now available in various locations worldwide, including Canada, London, Paris, Osaka, and Tokyo. Starbucks Reserve locations will offer an exclusive line of Oleato drinks, along with a unique tasting experience.

Additionally, Starbucks introduces Oleato Golden Foam, a vanilla-infused sweet cream foam with olive oil that can be added to any beverage. Specific Oleato drinks include Oleato Caffè Latte with Oatmilk and Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut.

It's essential to note that Oleato drinks contain dairy in the Golden Foam, so caution is advised for lactose-intolerant individuals.

The story of Oleato traces back to Starbucks founder Howard Schultz's visit to Sicily, where he discovered the Mediterranean tradition of consuming a daily spoonful of olive oil. Inspired by this custom, Schultz conceived the idea of combining coffee and olive oil, leading to the creation of Oleato.

Howard Schultz commented, "Oleato represents the next revolution in coffee, merging an alchemy of the finest ingredients from nature: Starbucks' Arabica coffee beans and Partanna's extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil. Today, I feel as inspired as I did 40 years ago; Oleato has opened our eyes to new possibilities and a transformative way to enjoy our daily coffee." Starbucks anticipates that this innovative offering will delight coffee enthusiasts, despite initial concerns expressed by some consumers