Starbucks had announced in February 2023 about their olive-oil infused coffee. People were skeptical of it. And now, the makers have launched the Oleato coffee line in selected outlets. And Americans can try this new and novel coffee. Are they thrilled? What is the reaction of the consumers about it?
The Oleato coffee line of Starbucks
The famous Starbucks had announced in February 2023 that it will soon be launching an olive-oil infused coffee line for its customers. This addition of olive oil to the caffeinated beverages of the company started in Italy in that month itself. And in the USA, it launched in March 2023 at selected locations.
The European launch had Caffé Latte and Iced Shaken Espresso with Partanna extra virgin olive oil. There was cold brew that had a topping of cold foam of the oil. Iced Cortado and Golden Foam Espresso Martini would be available at The Starbucks Reserve Milan Roastery.
The Oleato coffee line of Starbucks (Source: Starbucks stories)The coffee line would be introduced in UK, Japan and the Middle East later this year. Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz said that he was inspired with the idea that people in the Mediterranean region had a teaspoon of olive oil with their morning cup of coffee. He said:
“I was absolutely stunned at the unique flavor 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 flavor that enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate,”
Reaction of the prospective customers
On hearing the announcement, the Starbucks visitors were skeptical. One wrote:
“It’s not even April 1st yet!”
Meaning thereby that it could be an April fool’s day joke. Another commented:
“Nope. I’ll stick to black coffee,”
Some were open to trying it. One Reddit user said:
“Had it in espresso before and it was honestly quite nice. Brought out a nuttiness to the coffee itself in a kind of sweet and savory way,”
Olive oil infused coffee line (Source: Starbucks stories)Others were confused and wanted to know why this combination:
“When I think of a refreshing and delicious beverage, olive oil is the first thing that comes to mind. Said no one,”
Gastric effects of the new coffee
One customer tweeted:
“Apparently @Starbucks thinks I need help having diarrhea with this #oleato #coffee. Let’s add olive oil to my morning cup just in case it wasn’t already flying through me at light speed.”
Another Twitter user called it a legit laxative. After sampling the new beverage, several employees of the company also had diarrhea. One employee wrote on Reddit:
“Several fellow workers ended up needing to use the restroom, if ya know what I mean.”
The Oleato coffee line in Italy (Source: Insider)Dietitian Lauren Manaker explains:
“Olive oil can have a slight laxative effect for some people,”
“And when olive oil is combined with caffeine, another factor that may promote a bowel movement, people may feel the effects.”
Also, read Olive oil: health benefits, uses, and olive oil frauds!
But this could be good for habitual ‘constipators’. And olive oil is per se good for health. Lauren suggests:
“If a person has issues with caffeine and notices that their bowels are stimulated after consuming that stimulant, perhaps opting for decaf options of the olive oil drink may be a better option,”