Starbucks Olive Oil Coffee Set To Cause A Stir In UK, Japan & Middle East

Written by: Katie Scott, Business reporter Brainz Magazine

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Nearly a month after its launch in Italy, Starbucks’ range of olive oil-infused coffees are set to spill across the world.

The Oleato range came about after Starbucks' now interim (and soon to be ex-)CEO, Howard Schulz visited Sicily. There, he partook in the local habit of enjoying a spoonful of Partanna extra virgin olive oil as part of his daily ritual. He said in a press release: “I was absolutely stunned at the unique flavour 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 flavour that enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate.”

The range, which includes the Oleato Caffè Latte, Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso and Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew, started being available in Italian Starbucks late last month. The Italians will be the first to try the new range, which is apt says Schulz because it was in Italy where the Starbucks journey started. “In 1983, I took my first trip to Italy and discovered the extraordinary relationship that the Italian people have with the Italian coffee bar, and specifically espresso. I raced back to the United States with a vision and a passion to bring that to Starbucks.”

However, when Starbucks opened its first venues in Italy in 2018, it faced outrage and demands for a boycott. Starbucks now has 20 stores across the country.

The next country that will get to experience the olive oil coffee line is mooted to be the UK with plans to then roll out in Japan and the Middle East. A Starbucks spokesperson told Brainz News that they “..don’t currently have details on further global market launches beyond what is shared in the press release.”