Starbucks, the largest coffee shop chain in the world, claims to be introducing olive oil-infused drinks to Italy.
“Unexpected, velvety, buttery flavor… enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate,” according to Howard Schultz, the company’s chief executive officer.
Starbucks is one of the major American companies that has struggled to enter the Italian food and beverage market.
Italy’s espresso scene is well known for its free and frequently family-run bistros.
There are currently around 20 Starbucks locations across the nation.
“Now, there’s going to be people who say, olive oil in coffee? But the proof is in the cup,” Mr Schultz said on the company’s website.
He went on to say, “In over 40 years, I can’t remember a moment in time where I’ve been more excited, more enthused.”
In the United States, the company intends to introduce the selection of hot and iced drinks to stores in Southern California this spring. The United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Japan will follow later this year.
A latte with olive oil “steamed with oat milk” and an iced shaken espresso are among the products in the Oleato line, which will go on sale in Italy on Wednesday.
“a silky infusion of Partanna extra virgin oil with vanilla sweet cream foam… slowly cascades through the beverage” will also be available as a cold brew coffee.
Olive oil is a staple of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with Spain, Greece, and Italy.
Its medical advantages can incompletely be ascribed to its monounsaturated unsaturated fats, which contain nutrients and minerals, and polyphenols, that are micronutrients gotten from plants.
On TikTok, a video-sharing platform, the term “drink olive oil” became popular last year because its proponents claimed that it had anti-inflammatory properties.
When Starbucks announced plans to open its first store in Italy in 2018, some Italians called for a boycott.
Around then, Mr Schultz said: ” We are not coming to teach Italians how to make coffee. We’re coming here with humility and respect, to show what we’ve learned.”
Some social media users celebrated the news that Domino’s Pizza was leaving Italy last year.
Since launching in 2015, the fast food giant had struggled to attract customers in the pizza-making nation.
During the pandemic, local restaurants joined food delivery services like Deliveroo and Just Eat, making it more and more competitive.
