Starbucks has unveiled its latest innovation in coffee called Oleato. This line of coffee beverages brings together the unexpected – Starbucks arabica coffee infused with a spoonful of Partanna cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. The result is a smooth and sweet coffee that provides new flavor and texture.
The new beverage platform launched in Starbucks stores in Italy on February 22. The company will begin to introduce the beverages in select markets around the world, starting with Southern California in the United States this spring. Later in the year, they will launch in Japan, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
Starbucks was inspired by a family tradition that has existed in regions of Italy for generations - enjoying a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil each day as an uplifting ritual. This led the company to Partanna, an Italian extra virgin olive oil brand with more than 100 years of tradition and dedication to farming and crafting premium extra virgin olive oil.
“During my first trip to Milan in 1983, I was captivated by the sense of community, connection and passion for coffee I found in the city’s espresso bars. It was that trip that inspired me to bring the ritual of handcrafted espresso to Starbucks and to America. Oleato represents the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients – Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil,” says Howard Schultz, Starbucks interim chief executive officer. “Today I feel just as inspired as I did 40 years ago, Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities and a transformational way to enjoy our daily coffee.”
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milan debuted five Starbucks Reserve Oleato beverages, including:
- Oleato Caffè Latte – Starbucks Reserve Espresso and creamy oatmilk infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil
- Oleato Iced Cortado – Starbucks Reserve Espresso, demerara syrup and a dash of orange bitters and oatmilk is infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil. It is then served over ice and finished with an orange peel
- Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew – Starbucks Reserve Cold Brew is lightly sweetened with demerara syrup and finished with Partanna extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam
- Oleato Deconstructed – An ode to the Italian tradition of combining olive oil with a squeeze of lemon. This beverage pairs Starbucks Reserve Espresso and Partanna extra virgin olive oil infused with a luxurious passionfruit cold foam
- Oleato Golden Foam Espresso Martini – Starbucks Reserve Espresso, vodka and vanilla bean syrup topped with golden foam – a fusion of fior di latte (sweet cream) and Partanna extra virgin olive oil
Starbucks Oleato beverages that will be served in Starbucks stores around the world include:
- Oleato Caffè Latte – Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast, a light roast that is smooth and subtly sweet, is infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil and steamed with creamy oatmilk
- Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew – Partanna extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam creates a subtle sweetness in the dark, smooth cold brew
- Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso – This coffee-forward beverage offers layers of flavor sweetened with notes of hazelnuts, rich espresso and creamy oatmilk infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil
“When creating the beverages, we were inspired by the rich history and origin stories of coffee and olive oil – two of nature’s most transcendent ingredients,” says Amy Dilger, principal beverage developer for Starbucks. “Infusing Starbucks coffee with olive oil yielded a velvety smooth, rich texture, with the buttery, round flavors imparted by the olive oil perfectly pairing with the soft, chocolatey notes of the coffee.”
“One thing that’s special about Partanna’s olives is their uniquely nutty, slightly sweet flavors – think of that rich smoothness of a buttery caramel, it’s a natural complement to our coffee. Whether you enjoy Oleato hot or cold, you get this really luxurious, textural experience.”
