Starbucks roll out olive oil-infused coffee line in Italy

Rome: Popular coffee brand Starbucks has introduced a new olive oil-infused line of beverages in Italy. The new Oleato line celebrates extra virgin olive oil in coffee.

The new olive oil line will debut with three drinks - Oleato Caffè Latte, Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso, and Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew. For the latte, olive oil is steamed with oat milk. In iced espresso, it is shaken and infused with vanilla sweet cream foam for the cold brew.

CEO Howard Schultz said the idea came to home during a trip to Italy and he was mesmerised by the Mediterranean culture of taking a spoonful of olive oil each day. Since then, he has been drinking olive oil with his coffee and decided Starbucks should try to infuse the two popular flavours. "I was absolutely stunned at the unique flavour and texture created when the Partanna extra virgin olive oil was infused into Starbucks coffee. In both hot and cold coffee beverages, what it produced was an unexpected, velvety, buttery flavour that enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate," he added.

The brand is known for experimenting with ingredients that will make beverages suitable to local tastes and preferences. The new customisation with olive oil is in line with the American MNC’s style.

"Now, there's going to be people who say, "Olive oil in coffee? But the proof is in the cup. In over 40 years, I can't remember a moment in time where I've been more excited, more enthused that demonstrates the pride, the quality, the passion, the heritage, and the craft of what Starbucks can do," added the CEO.

According to the company's official website, the new line will debut at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan and in Starbucks stores in Italy. It will arrive in Southern California this spring. Starbucks has plans to introduce the new flavour to the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Middle East in 2023 itself.