Starbucks Olive Oil-Infused Coffees Go Nationwide After Customers Report ‘Stomach Issues’
February 5, 2024 by Alana Valko
This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more information regarding Starbucks’ Oleato drinks.
Starbucks has expanded its Oleato drink line nationwide, despite the fact that customers have reported to stomach issues linked to these olive oil-infused drinks—and, unsurprisingly, the customers who are just now getting their first tastes aren’t exactly responding well.
In case you missed it, Starbucks rolled out olive oil-infused coffees in a new line they call Oleato last year. The Oleato line, which debuted with three beverages, first launched in Italy and has since been teased in select locations in Seattle and Los Angeles, and at Starbucks Reserve locations in New York, Seattle, and Chicago. Now, you can find two of these beverages (an EVOO-infused oat milk latte and a new toffeenut iced shaken espresso with golden foam) across the U.S. You should be warned, though: even if you like the taste, they might take a toll on your stomach.
Starbucks customers complain about Oleato drinksThe Oleato drinks were first introduced with a tasteful, Italian-inspired palate in mind, but customers have since flocked to the Internet with complaints. On r/starbucks, one employee wrote that the drinks made half their team have to run to the bathroom. Yikes!
In June, the coffee giant announced that it would expand the controversial product launch, bringing these drinks to more states and cities across the nation: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Miami, and cities in Alaska and Vermont, as well. Now, they’re nationwide—and they’re still not landing the best with customers.
Although customers in cities that have already had these drinks on the menu for some time may know better than to keep ordering them after the fiasco following their launch, a whole new flock of coffee-drinkers are now getting a rude awakening. It’s worth noting that some people are praising the flavor, but many are giving the drinks two thumbs down.
This Oleato Starbucks coffee is horrendous and I won’t hear otherwise,” one person posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
The new Starbucks oleato coffee is disgusting!! Taste like straight cooking oil,” another complained.
These complaints certainly sound familiar. But in addition to the taste, customers have also previously reported that the drinks have laxative properties.