Starbucks has decided to discontinue its relatively-new Oleato line of olive oil-infused beverages in early November as part of a larger effort to streamline its menu, the Seattle-based coffee giant announced on Wednesday.
Starbucks introduced the drinks, made with Partanna brand extra virgin olive oil, in Italy in early 2023, then expanded to U.S. stores in January of this year. The idea was hatched by now-former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s love of Mediterranean customs and cuisine.
While Oleato did have its fans, it almost immediately suffered scathing reviews on social media, with some claiming it caused bowel issues.
“Caffeine is a stimulant for your bowels and oil a relaxant. So yeah wonderful idea by Starbucks,” one person wrote in a Reddit thread.
“The Oleato at Starbucks is a legit laxative,” one user said on Twitter.
The products will soon be phased out in most Starbucks locations worldwide. Select stores in Italy, Japan, and China, however, will continue to offer them, the company said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Starbucks has decided to discontinue its relatively-new Oleato line of olive oil-infused beverages in early November as part of a larger effort to streamline its menu, the Seattle-based coffee giant announced on Wednesday. Starbucks introduced the drinks, made with Partanna brand extra virgin olive oil, in Italy in early 2023, then expanded to U.S. stores […]