Starbucks Launches a New Series of Olive Oil-Infused Coffee
Starbucks just launched a brand new line, Oleato, in Italy! Each drink from the series is infused with a spoonful of cold-pressed olive oil.
According to interim CEO Howard Schultz, the Oleato range of drinks (meaning “with oil” in Italian) represents the next stage of the coffee “revolution,” as it combines a blend of nature’s best ingredients to create an “alchemy” of flavors.
Partanna, a Sicilian olive oil company, collaborated with Starbucks to produce a specially selected blend of the finest olives from the Mediterranean region and Norcellara del Belice in Partanna to compliment their signature Arabica coffee. Additionally, Partanna’s olives are unique due to their nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Hence, it tends to resemble the “rich smoothness of a buttery caramel,” that naturally compliments the flavor of the coffee.
Forget butter. Starbucks is adding olive oil to coffee in Italy. https://t.co/l7E6XkzVqO
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) February 22, 2023
Amy Dilger, a principal beverage developer for Starbucks, believes infusing coffee with olive oil gives a “velvety smooth, rich texture, with the buttery, round flavors imparted by the olive oil perfectly pairing with the soft, chocolatey notes of the coffee.”
While the renowned coffee giant is popular for its wide range of flavored coffee and teas and seasonal items, their food caters to most people’s diets worldwide. The Oleato series, which entails five new drinks, is indeed an interesting addition to its vibrant menu.
The Oleato Caffé Latte is a drink that combines Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso Roast with oat milk infused with olive oil, while the Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew features an olive oil foam that has a creamy, decadent taste similar to olive oil ice cream. For those who prefer a classic iced coffee, the Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso blends espresso, oat milk, and the new olive oil infusion.
On Feb 3, Starbucks’ interim ceo Howard Schultz teased investors that an Italian-inspired “game-changing” innovation full of mysterious “alchemy” was on its way. That concept turns out to be Starbucks Oleato coffee bevs that are infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil. pic.twitter.com/OnZqP3oh0I
— Beverage Insights (@BevInsights) February 22, 2023
The Starbucks Reserve locations offer two exclusive drinks: Oleato Deconstructed, which pairs passionfruit cold foam with Starbucks Reserve Espresso, and Partanna extra virgin olive oil. Oleato Golden Foam Espresso Martini combines vodka and vanilla bean syrup topped with olive oil golden foam.
Starting this spring, Starbucks plans to introduce the Oleato series to southern California and then expand to select markets worldwide, including Japan, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom over the next year.
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