Starbucks is bringing its Oleato coffee line to the United States a month after launching it across 24 locations in Italy.
The company’s plan to introduce Oleato, which means “with oil” in Italian, was the brainchild of former CEO Howard Schultz, who traveled to Italy during the summer and observed Sicilians incorporating olive oil into their daily routine with coffee. Impressed, he also started drinking coffee with olive oil and decided that Starbucks should attempt to blend the two flavors.
“During my first trip to Milan in 1983, I was captivated by the sense of community, connection, and passion for coffee I found in the city’s espresso bars. It was that trip that inspired me to bring the ritual of handcrafted espresso to Starbucks and to America. Oleato represents the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients – Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil,” said Schultz. “Today I feel just as inspired as I did 40 years ago, Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities and a transformational way to enjoy our daily coffee,” said Schultz.
Starbucks’ Oleato beverage line includes caffé latte, iced shaken espresso, and its cold foam drink. The latte is made by steaming Partanna olive oil with oat milk. Meanwhile, the iced espresso drink is shaken with olive oil, and the vanilla sweet cream foam is infused with the oil to create the “golden” topping for cold brews.
Initially, the premium Reserve Roasteries and certain Reserve cafes in New York, Chicago, and Seattle, along with the original Starbucks store in Pike Place Market, will offer the beverages for sale. Subsequently, the drinks will be available from Monday onward at 550 locations across Seattle and Los Angeles.
Later this year, the coffee company intends to introduce Oleato beverages in Japan, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.
Photo credit: Starbucks
