Italians have long understood the health benefits of drizzling high-quality olive oil over “just about everything”—from bread and pasta to homemade gelato. The American coffee chain Starbucks has recently tapped into this Italian mentality that olive oil makes everything better creating an iconic olive-oil-infused coffee drink: the Oleato.
While visiting an olive-oil producer in Sicily in September 2022, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz became privy to just how many Sicilians imbibe a tablespoon of olive oil for their health every morning. He immediately adopted the practice himself.
As he ingested his daily dose of olive oil one day —followed by his obligatory morning cup of coffee—Schultz thought, “Why not just put the olive oil in the coffee?” He quickly brought this unique pairing to the Starbucks menu, coining it as a “new revolution in coffee.”
a genius combination
While the mixture of olive oil and coffee lends extra flavor and creaminess to the coffee, the real brilliance of this amalgamation lies in the unique health benefits gained by pairing the two.
The tandem of olive oil and coffee provides extra liver and adrenal support, as the oil helps coat the stomach lining. This, in turn, slows the body’s absorption of caffeine from the coffee, which can help reduce the typical blood sugar spike and subsequent crash associated with ingesting caffeine.
While the Oleato may appear similar to the newest “bulletproof coffee” trend (coffee mixed with grass-fed butter and MCT oil), pairing olive oil with your coffee delivers a tastier, more nutritious combination.
not all olive oil is created equal
For a gamechanger like the Oleato, it is paramount to source a high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which will lend itself to a richer flavor and added health benefits in your morning cup of coffee.
At Zimms Organics, we believe in the natural healing properties of pure EVOO; this is why we only source the best olives in the US. All our products are certified organic, cold pressed, single origin, single varietal, and packed with polyphenols. Our HEAL EVOO is an ideal ingredient for your Oleato due to its lighter mouthfeel and fruity, herbal flavors.
homemade oleato recipe
ingredients:
- 8 oz. freshly brewed organic coffee
- 1 tbsp. Zimms Organics HEAL EVOO
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract (optional)
- Milk of choice (to taste)
method:
- Using a handheld milk frother, blend together coffee, olive oil, and vanilla in your favorite mug.
- Add milk to taste.
- Gently blend once more until light and frothy.
- Enjoy in good health!