Starbucks Launches Coffee Variants with Olive Oil

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US coffee chain Starbucks, which had difficulties in the Italian market, produced olive oil coffee varieties to attract the attention of Italians. Claiming that olive oil enriches the taste of coffee, the company’s new products will arrive in branches in other countries, following Italy, by the end of the year.

Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain, announced that it has launched a variety of beverages made with olive oil in Italy.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said olive oil’s “unexpected, velvety, buttery aroma enriches the coffee and stays beautifully on the palate.”

Italy’s Coffee Culture is Local and Based on Loyalty

However, Starbucks is among the main US businesses facing hurdles as it tries to expand into the Italian food and beverage market. Italy’s current coffee market includes independent and often family-run cafes. Starbucks currently has about 20 stores in the country.

Schultz said, “Now, there will be people who will ask how olive oil is in coffee. But the answer is in the cup. I don’t remember a time when I was more excited, more enthusiastic in over 40 years.” he said.

Schultz also noted that olive oil coffee varieties will begin selling in Southern California stores in the US this spring, with Britain, the Middle East and Japan following Italy and the US later this year.

Launched in Italy, the Oleato line includes an espresso shaken with ice and an olive oil latte “steamed with oat milk” according to information on Starbucks’ website. Starbucks will also feature a cold brew coffee “with a silky infusion of Partanna extra virgin oil with vanilla sweet cream mousse … flowing slowly through the drink.”

Starbucks Launches Coffee Variants with Olive Oil

Fundamental Items of the Mediterranean Cuisine

Olive oil forms an important part of Mediterranean cuisine, which is associated with countries such as Turkey, Italy, Greece and Spain. The health benefits of olive oil can be attributed in part to its monounsaturated fatty acids, which contain vitamins and minerals, and polyphenols, which are micronutrients from plants. On the other hand, some Italians called for a boycott of Starbucks when it announced plans to open its first store in the country in 2018. “We are not here to teach Italians how to make coffee. We come here to demonstrate what we have learned, with humility and respect,” Schultz said at that time.

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