Starbucks is launching OLIVE OIL coffee in Italy – and will be bringing it to the UK and US later this year

Starbucks has launched a new coffee range in Italy that includes an unexpected ingredient – ​​olive oil.

The “Oleato” range will add a spoonful of extra virgin Partanna cold-pressed oil to Starbucks Arabica coffee and will be coming to the US, UK, Japan and the Middle East later this year.

According to Starbucks, the result is a “velvety-smooth, delicately sweet and rich coffee that infuses each cup with an extraordinary new taste and texture.”

Coffees that have the option of adding olive oil are the latte, the iced shaken espresso, and the golden foam cold brew.

Some stores allow customers to add a “squeeze” of olive oil — about a spoonful — to a drink of their choice. The drink is then infused with the oil, or an infused golden foam can be added.

The “Oleato” range adds a spoonful of cold-pressed, extra virgin Partanna oil to Starbucks Arabica coffee

Howard Schultz, Starbucks interim executive officer, said the drinks were inspired by his trips to Italy and the experience of Italian coffee.

He said: “During my first trip to Milan in 1983, I was fascinated by the sense of community, connection and passion for coffee I found in the city’s espresso bars.

“It was this journey that inspired me to bring the ritual of the handcrafted espresso to Starbucks and to America.

“Oleato represents the next coffee revolution, bringing together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients – Starbucks Arabica coffee beans and Partanna extra virgin olive oil.

“Today I feel just as inspired as I did 40 years ago. Oleato opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities and a transformative way to enjoy our everyday coffee.”

Starbucks has around 20 stores in Italy and is currently trying to expand into the country to compete with its many family-run and independent coffee shops. When it opened its first store in the country in 2018, the franchise was met with protests.

In 2018 they opened a luxury store in Milan in a former post office on Piazza Cordusio – introducing the franchise to Italy for the first time.

The company says the new drink is inspired by an Italian family tradition of adding a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil each day.

They chose the Italian brand Partanna, which has been grown in Italy for over 100 years to produce the oil.

Coffees that have the option of adding olive oil are the Latte, Iced Shake Espresso, and the Golden Foam Cold Brew

Milan’s Starbucks has already launched five drinks with olive oil.

“In developing the beverages, we were inspired by the rich history and origin stories of coffee and olive oil – two of nature’s most transcendent ingredients,” said Amy Dilger, principal beverage developer at Starbucks.

“Infusing Starbucks coffee with olive oil resulted in a velvety, rich texture, with the buttery, round flavors imparted by the olive oil harmonizing perfectly with the coffee’s smooth, chocolatey notes.”

Olive oil is sometimes added to cocktails for an extra flavor and unique texture.

Adding extra fats, including olive oil, to coffee is a growing trend due to paleo and keto diets.

The fats in the oil could have health benefits, including sustained energy throughout the day and healthier hair and skin.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk