Why is Starbucks putting Olive Oil in Coffee?

Hers's the run down:

Recently, news broke that Starbucks launched a new range of menu items all including olive oil. While Starbucks is no stranger to hopping onto new fads and breaking social norms is olive oil taking it too far?

Local legends over @goldenbrown.coffee was the first to make this drink and coined it the 'Olive Oil Latte'. However Starbucks went with the Oleato to refer to their caffeinated olive oil range of drinks.

Watch Golden Brown's video here.

Starbusks Menu:

Starbucks Oleato is set to launch in Italy as the first market, with three beverages available at Starbucks Italy stores and four more at the 'Starbucks Reserve' Roastery Milan from Feb. 22. Additional markets will follow soon. Select locations around the world will start offering the drinks, with Southern California being the first to introduce them this spring.

Japan, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom will launch the new drinks later this year.

The Menu:

Currently there are a couple different options available.

Starbucks Oleato™ Caffè Latte:

Ingredients:

• Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast
• Partanna extra virgin olive oil
• Oatmilk

Instructions:

1. Brew Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast to your liking.
2. Add a drizzle of Partanna extra virgin olive oil to the espresso and stir.
3. Steam the Oatmilk until velvety smooth.
4. Pour the steamed Oatmilk over the espresso and olive oil mixture as you would a regular latte.

Starbucks Oleato™ Iced Shaken Espresso:

Ingredients:

• Espresso
• Partanna extra virgin olive oil
• Hazelnut syrup
• Ice
• Oatmilk

Instructions:

1. Brew espresso and let it cool.
2. Add a drizzle of Partanna extra virgin olive oil to the espresso and stir.
3. Add a pump of hazelnut syrup to the espresso and stir.
4. Fill a shaker with ice and pour the espresso mixture over the ice.
5. Add your oatmilk to the shaker.
6. Shake well until all ingredients are mixed and chilled.
7. Pour into a glass filled with ice.

Starbucks Oleato™ Golden Foam Cold Brew:

Ingredients:

• Cold brew coffee
• Partanna extra virgin olive oil
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla syrup

Instructions:

1. Brew cold brew coffee according to your preference.
2. Add a drizzle of Partanna extra virgin olive oil to the cold brew and stir.
3. In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream and vanilla syrup until it forms soft peaks.
4. Pour your cold brew coffee into a glass.
5. Spoon the vanilla-flavored foam on top of the cold brew coffee, letting it slowly cascade down.
6. Drizzle a little extra olive oil on top of the foam.
7. Sip and enjoy the subtle sweetness of the Starbucks Oleato™ Golden Foam™ Cold Brew.

How you can make one (our recipe):

1. Brew espresso as you normally would, I recommend using a slightly darker medium roast.
2. Add a dash of olive oil to your espresso and milk thoroughly.
3. Add around 10-20ml of olive oil to your full cream milk and steam, Try steaming slightly on the thinner side so it doesn't get too thick. Olive oil is quite dense and this can happen easily.
4. Pour your milk into your espresso as you normally would for a flat white or latte and enjoy!

Benefits of olive oil in coffee: 

Health wise:

According to the American Heart Association, olive oil has health benefits as it contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can reduce the disease process, including heart disease, and has been shown to lower blood pressure.

Flavour wise:

I can confirm that adding olive oil to your coffee does indeed impact the taste, it adds a distinct buttery taste and makes the coffee texture feel velvety and smooth.

Disclaimer: Adding anything extra to your coffee needs to be done with due diligence, please only use 100% Extra Virgin Olive oil and do extra research around using olive oil that is infused with other ingredients. As for the health benefits listed above please know that this is general information and that you may not benefit from drinking olive oil in coffee.