North Carolina Is Calling This New Starbucks Drink “Gross”
Starbucks is expanding its Oleato drink line, an innovative range of olive oil-infused beverages, to all its stores across the U.S. including our Charlotte stores!
We are always on top of Starbuck’s new rollouts, and I am here with an exciting new one. I am somewhat of an expert on this coffee just making its way to Charlotte, NC. Not only am I your resident Italian- American coffee lover who frequents Italy every summer, but I have had this concoction many times. I first had it in Boca Raton, Florida, last year while visiting some family, and it quickly became my favorite drink. Then, in Italy this summer, I visited Milan’s largest Starbucks (which also has a cocktail bar), where they had a plethora of Oleato recipes to choose from. Yes. I tried them ALL! I know it sounds unusual, but don’t knock it until you try it!
What is somewhat disappointing is that my favorites didn’t make the US cut. Only 2 Oleato recipes are available at our local Starbucks here in Charlotte.
What’s new:
These drinks, inspired by the daily olive oil consumption observed by former CEO Howard Schultz during a visit to Italy, were first rolled out to select U.S. locations and initially faced skepticism and negative feedback. The Oleato series, translating to “with oil” in Italian, includes unique offerings like a latte, and the Oleato Golden Foam, a vanilla sweet cream blended with extra virgin olive oil, providing a novel twist to the coffee experience.
Where does Oleato coffee come from?
Oleato coffee is a type of coffee that has its origins in Sicily, Italy. It is a unique blend of coffee beans that are roasted with olive oil instead of traditional methods. This gives it a distinct flavor and aroma. The use of olive oil in the coffee roasting process is believed to have originated in Sicily due to the abundance of olive oil produced in the region. The result is a coffee that is smooth and less bitter than traditional Italian coffees. It also has a subtle fruity note from the olive oil and a velvety finish. Oleato coffee has gained popularity in recent years and is now enjoyed by coffee lovers around the world.
What is notably missing from the Charlotte menu:
Not all of the Oleato menu is available here in the States. And it seems like Starbucks itself is skeptical about how it will do. I ordered one today in South Charlotte, and the barista said to me, “If you don’t like it, we can make you a different drink.” It seems Starbucks is testing 2-3 new drinks in this area. Hopefully, it will do better than they expect and all the recipes will be available soon!
