The largest coffee chain in the world, Starbucks, has announced that it will introduce a new line of drinks with olive oil in them in Italy. In a nation where coffee is regarded as a sacred art, the decision has been met with some skepticism, and Starbucks has previously encountered difficulties when attempting to enter the Italian market.
According to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, adding olive oil to coffee enhances the coffee with an “unexpected velvety, buttery flavor” that lingers beautifully in the mouth.
This spring, Southern California Starbucks locations will start carrying the new drink menu, which will include both hot and iced beverages. Later in the year, it’s anticipated that the UK, the Middle East, and Japan will follow.
Starbucks has faced obstacles in the past in Italy, with some Italians seeing the chain as a threat to the country’s traditional family-run coffee shops, but the company is expanding its presence in the country. We are still working on it.
However, some critics were quick to dismiss the trend of adding olive oil to coffee, claiming it was a gimmick that undermined the purity and simplicity of traditional Italian coffee. Confident that the new beverage line will be a hit with consumers, Schultz said he was “excited” and “excited” about the launch.
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Drinks New on the Menu
Olive oil is a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine and is associated with countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain. The health benefits of olive oil, which contains monounsaturated fatty acids, including vitamins and minerals and the plant-derived micronutrient polyphenols, are widely recognized.
The trend of adding olive oil to coffee gained traction on TikTok last year, with supporters claiming that it has anti-inflammatory properties. The introduction of the Oleato range by Starbucks is a clear indication that the trend is here to stay.
Starbucks has faced challenges in Italy, where the coffee culture is deeply ingrained, and independent, family-run cafes are the norm. The company faced criticism when it revealed plans to open its first store in the country back in 2018. However, Starbucks has remained committed to expanding its presence in Italy, and currently operates around 20 stores in the country.
The introduction of the Oleato range is part of Starbucks’ efforts to win over Italian coffee drinkers. The company has been careful to emphasize that it is not trying to teach Italians how to make coffee, but rather to show them what it has learned.
With the launch of the Oleato range, Starbucks is demonstrating its willingness to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, while also paying homage to Italy’s culinary heritage.
Oleato
The launch of the Oleato range comes at a time when fast food chains are struggling to make inroads in Italy. In the previous year, certain individuals on social media expressed joy upon hearing that Domino’s Pizza was exiting the Italian market.
This is because of the fact that since its debut in 2015, the fast food chain has had a difficult time attracting customers in the country where pizza originated.
Local restaurants have been signing up to food delivery platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat, making it increasingly difficult for fast food chains to compete. Starbucks’ decision to incorporate olive oil, a traditional Italian ingredient, into its drinks could be seen as a way to win over skeptical Italian consumers and secure the spotlight in a crowded market.
It remains to be seen whether the addition of olive oil to coffee will be a success for Starbucks, but the company’s willingness to experiment with new flavors and ingredients is a reflection of the changing tastes and preferences of coffee drinkers around the world.
As the coffee industry faces constant evolution, it will be interesting to see how traditional coffee cultures like Italy’s adapt and respond to the changing landscape.
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What are Its Potential Benefits
Olive oil has monounsaturated fatty acids, which are supposed to help reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as polyphenols, which are micronutrients derived from plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Now, olive oil is making its way into the world of beverages, with a growing number of drinks infused with this healthy oil.
One of the most popular olive oil-infused beverages is coffee. Starbucks recently launched its Oleato range in Italy, which features coffee drinks infused with olive oil. The range includes an iced shaken espresso and a latte with olive oil “steamed with oat milk.”
There is also a cold brew coffee that features “a silky infusion of Partanna extra virgin oil with vanilla sweet cream foam… slowly cascades through the beverage.”
In addition to coffee, olive oil is being used in a variety of cocktails. The oil’s unique flavor and smooth texture make it an ideal ingredient for cocktails, adding a touch of sophistication and depth of flavor to traditional drinks. One popular olive oil-infused cocktail is the Dirty Martini, which uses olive oil instead of olive brine to give the drink a richer, more complex flavor.
Olive oil is also being used to create healthy smoothies and juices. Adding a tablespoon of olive oil to a fruit smoothie or vegetable juice can help to boost the drink’s nutritional value, as well as add a unique flavor. Some smoothie recipes even call for a combination of olive oil and coconut milk for a creamy, tropical twist.
Photo: Starbucks Stories & News
