If you are an avid Starbucks drinker, you may have noticed an unusual new line of olive oil-infused beverages that debuted at TAMU, beginning this Spring 2024 semester. As a Starbucks barista on campus, I was skeptical at first as I was making the new drink to test for myself. I pumped a tablespoon of the extra virgin oil into the oatmilk for my latte and I cringed as I took my first sip, expecting to taste straight grease in my mouth. Yet, after a few sips, I was pleasantly surprised. The Oleato Caffé Latte tasted rich and nutty as the oil enhanced the oatmilk’s natural sweetness and toastiness.
However, despite this subtle change in flavor to my usual latte, I was still questioning the presence of the olive oil. Is there a reason a person would intentionally put olive oil in their coffee? And who came up with this peculiar combination that, strangely, works?
After diving into the catacombs of Starbucks insiders and consulting with my co-workers, here is what I found:
THE HIDDEN BENEFITS BEHIND OLIVE OIL
As a fairly new coffee drinker, I have noticed that occasionally I would have a case of coffee jitters after drinking my latte. As much as I love my morning lattes, I had to decrease my consumption or switch to decaf to avoid the uncomfortable experience. As I researched the benefits behind the oil-coffee fusion, I discovered a fascinating phenomenon behind the brew that works to counteract those jitters. When consuming the drink, the oil coats the lining of the stomach, which results in a slower absorption of the caffeine in the coffee. To test this, I drank the Oleato latte in the morning for a month, and my jitters surprisingly never appeared again. Now I can enjoy my morning cup of coffee without experiencing those pesky crashes!
Additionally, like adding creamer to coffee, adding olive oil allows the coffee to have a richer and more luxurious sip, with the fats from the oil promoting satiety, or fullness. However, unlike the unhealthy fats that come with heavy cream, extra virgin olive oil contains many healthy fatty acids that can curb the body’s hunger, which can be helpful for those managing their weight. Not only that, olive oil is abundant with antioxidants as well as modest amounts of vitamins E and K.
A HISTORY OF THE OIL RITUAL
While taking a spoonful of olive oil daily may seem strange, it is a common Mediterranean ritual that former-CEO Howard Schultz discovered on his visit to Sicily, Italy back in 2023. With Italy’s romance of espresso bars being the inspiration behind Starbucks, it is not surprising that inspiration struck again, resulting in a new alchemy of coffee infused with Partanna extra-virgin olive oil.
A new line of Starbucks Oleato beverages was first introduced in February of 2023 in Italy, with the stores offering Oleato™ Caffè Latte, Oleato™ Iced Shaken Espresso, and Oleato™ Golden Foam™ Cold Brew. A year later, the Oleato line was introduced across the United States, finally appearing in campus stores at TAMU in January 2024.
SO… IS IT REALLY WORTH THE HYPE?
After a month of drinking the Oleato Caffè Latte as my new go-to drink in the mornings, I will say the strange beverage grew on me. My coffee has become more of an extension of my breakfast as it adds a savory and sweet twist to my palette. Most importantly, I am especially happy that I no longer have to deal with those coffee jitters that would’ve bugged me the rest of the day.
While this unexpected drink may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or perhaps you can say “cup of coffee”), I encourage you all to give it a try at your local Starbucks. If you are simply curious and want a quick taste to decide for yourself, keep a lookout for free samples at the campus stores that will be available the rest of the Spring 2024 semester!