Phoebe Hunt
- Starbucks' Oleato line features three olive oil-infused coffee beverages.
- The drinks debuted in Italy in February and is now set to be sold at all US locations.
- I'd order the iced drinks again, but I didn't like the taste of olive oil in my hot latte.
Phoebe Hunt
Starbucks launched a new line of olive oil-infused coffee drinks across its 20 Italian branches in February 2023 and began to roll out to some US locations in March.
Now, Starbucks is bringing the Oleato line to all of its company-operated and licensed stores in the US.
Howard Schultz, Starbucks' interim chief executive officer, got the idea for the products after a trip to Sicily. There, he said he partook in the Mediterranean custom of enjoying a spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil daily and wondered what it would be like to try it with his coffee.
I tried the innovative drinks the day they launched at a Starbucks location in Florence.
Phoebe Hunt
The Oleato collection has three core offerings: the caffè latte, the Golden Foam cold brew, and the iced shaken espresso. Each contains a spoonful of olive oil.
Some Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations serve iced cortado, a Golden Foam espresso martini, and an Oleato Deconstructed as part of the company's Reserve Oleato line. These special drinks were not available at the location I visited.
Phoebe Hunt
As the barista prepared my Oleato caffè latte, my friend and I watched them steam green olive oil with oat milk and infuse it into a cup of Starbucks' blonde espresso roast.
Before I took the first sip, I could smell the extra-virgin olive oil. Its bitter, slightly savory flavor was immediately evident.
Starbucks describes the caffè latte as a "velvety smooth, deliciously lush latte." Though the olive oil certainly added richness to the drink, I still prefer a standard latte's flavor and texture.
The first sip was interesting, but it tasted cloying and heavy after a few more. Also, I didn't think a 16-ounce grande was worth 5.50 euros, or about $5.83, especially considering that most lattes in Florence cost around 2 euros.
Phoebe Hunt
The chilled beverage had a spoonful of olive oil, just like the caffè latte, as well as a tasty hazelnut syrup. Instead of steaming the olive oil with the oat milk, the barista blended it at high speed before mixing it with the coffee and hazelnut syrup over ice cubes.
Although our barista served the drink with a straw, they recommended tasting it first without one to really experience the olive-oil foam.
The drink, which cost 5.50 euros, was delicious. The olive-oil flavor was still very strong, but the hazelnut syrup gave the beverage a subtle sweetness, too.
For Starbucks customers accustomed to drinking Italian coffee, the iced shaken espresso would probably be a better choice than the caffè latte since it's more unique. The hazelnut syrup is also bound to make it popular with those with a sweet tooth.
Phoebe Hunt
The barista blended olive oil and vanilla-sweet-cream foam at a high speed before pouring the thick, slightly green foam over ice cubes and some hot espresso.
The main difference between this beverage and the iced shaken espresso was the foam's thickness. This drink's foam was so rich and dense that I could practically eat it with a spoon.
Again, it was nice to try it without a straw to get the olive oil's full creamy effect, but the straw was helpful to get to the coffee.
The regularly sized Golden Foam cold brew was 6.50 euros, a euro more than I paid for the other two beverages.
Phoebe Hunt
The first sips of both iced drinks were pleasant and complex, and they'll probably go down easily for iced-coffee enthusiasts.
But in less than 10 minutes, the olive oil started to separate from the rest of the ingredients, causing an unappetizing oil barrier on top and around the edge of the cup.
Phoebe Hunt
I'd probably try the Oleato iced shaken espresso again and make sure to drink it quickly before the oil has time to separate. But I would definitely pass on the caffè latte.
This story was originally published on February 27, 2023, and most recently updated on January 30, 2024.
