• by Todd Wasserman , February 25, 2023

Starbucks has launched a drink that includes something new: a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil, which adds 120 calories to the total.

The drinks, marketed under the name Oleato, were first offered at Starbucks cafes in Italy last week. They’ll roll out in Southern California this spring, with more details about the U.S. launch to come.

Brady Brewer, Starbucks’ chief marketing officer, told CNN, “It is one of the biggest launches we’ve had in decades.” He added, Rather than a flavor or a product, it’s really a platform.”

According to CNN, the Oleato line is the brainchild of Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz. Schultz began adding olive oil to his coffee recently.

In a February call with analysts, Schultz teased the line. “My Starbucks journey will come full circle when I return to Milan later this month to introduce something much bigger than any new promotion or beverage,” Schultz said during the call

Schultz predicted the new line would “transform the coffee industry.”

As one commenter pointed out on Reddit, “If you think oil in coffee is insane, check out the primary ingredient in the most commonly used coffee creamer. Coffee-Mate has been putting vegetable oil in people's coffee for years.” Indeed, Coffee-mate lists hydrogenated vegetable oil among its top three ingredients.

Starbucks hasn’t said what the drinks will cost. As another Reddit commenter noted, “I’d try it once. Watch it be like $9 though.”