Starbucks Introduces Olive Oil-infused Coffee Line: A Review
Last year, Starbucks founder, Howard Schultz, discovered a Mediterranean custom of enjoying a spoonful of olive oil every day while visiting Sicily, Italy. This encounter sparked his curiosity and led to the creation of Starbucks' latest coffee innovation – Oleato. Meaning "with oil" in Italian, Oleato drinks made their debut in Italy in February 2023. Now, Starbucks has expanded the line globally, incorporating the Partanna brand's extra virgin olive oil to create a "luxurious and next-level" coffee experience. Intrigued by this peculiar combination, I decided to try the Oleato drinks at a downtown Starbucks location and share my thoughts.
Oleato Caffè Latte with Almond Milk: One of the offerings in the Oleato lineup is the Caffè Latte with Oatmilk, featuring Starbucks' blonde espresso infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil and steamed with oat milk. However, I opted for almond milk as a substitution. While the drink had a light and foamy consistency, it lacked the creamy texture I typically enjoy in my coffee. Retrospectively, keeping the oat milk might have improved the overall experience due to its thicker consistency. Unfortunately, the strong and buttery olive oil taste overwhelmed the coffee flavors, making it less appealing. In fact, it didn't resemble coffee at all, with a watery and bubbly texture. The only redeeming quality was the light and interesting consistency. Rating: 1/5
Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut: Another standout choice is the Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut. This drink features blonde espresso, toffee nut syrup, and oat milk, topped with "Oleato Golden Foam." The vanilla sweet cream cold foam infused with olive oil adds a velvety richness to the beverage, enhancing the nutty and syrupy flavors of the espresso and toffee. The olive oil taste is subtler compared to the latte, but it contributes to a smoother coffee experience. The flavors are pleasantly sweet, reminiscent of a sugar cookie. This Starbucks creation stands out with its exceptional texture and cohesive flavor combination. For the best experience, I recommend sipping this coffee without a straw to fully appreciate the harmonious blend of cold foam and coffee. Rating: 5/5
Dragon Drink Starbucks Refreshers Beverage with Oleato Golden Foam: The Oleato Golden Foam is a versatile addition, available on various drinks, including the Dragon Drink Starbucks Refresher. This refreshing beverage boasts mango and dragonfruit flavors, handshaken with coconut milk. Initially, the foam seemed reluctant to mix into the drink, sinking to the cup's bottom. However, a quick stir blended everything harmoniously. The lavish and rich foam enhances the tropical notes in the refresher, creating a delightful pairing. The drink itself is reminiscent of strawberry shortcake, evocative of Starbucks' popular "Pink Drink." Rating: 5/5
Iced Matcha Tea Latte with Oleato Golden Foam: Lastly, I decided to venture into matcha territory by ordering an iced matcha latte with almond milk and Oleato cold foam. Similar to the refresher, the foam was airy and blended effortlessly into the drink. However, the olive oil-flavored foam did not elevate the sweet and mellow flavors of Starbucks' matcha. Instead, the herbal notes in the olive oil overpowered the beverage, resulting in a taste reminiscent of the bread and oil you'd find at Carrabba's Italian Grill rather than a matcha latte. Rating: 2/5
Starbucks' Oleato line introduces unique and unexpected flavor combinations, urging coffee lovers to explore beyond traditional offerings. The golden foam infused with olive oil certainly stands out, enhancing some beverages while overpowering others. With both highly recommended and less appealing choices, customers can decide which concoction suits their palates.
Analyst comment
Neutral news.
As an analyst, the introduction of the Oleato line by Starbucks is likely to generate mixed reactions in the market. Some customers may appreciate the unique flavor combinations, particularly in drinks like the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut. However, others may not enjoy the taste and texture, as indicated by the low rating given to the Oleato Caffè Latte with almond milk and the Iced Matcha Tea Latte with Oleato Golden Foam. Overall, it is uncertain whether this new product line will be widely adopted by Starbucks customers.
