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If you’ve spent any time scrolling coffee news lately, you’ve probably seen people talking about olive oil coffee. Starbucks even launched a whole range of drinks called Oleato, blending espresso with extra virgin olive oil.
At first, the idea sounds strange.
Why would you add olive oil to coffee? Does it change the taste? Is it healthy? Or is this just another passing coffee trend?
Let’s take a closer look at where the idea came from, how it tastes, what health benefits olive oil may bring to your morning coffee, and whether this new oil-infused coffee is worth trying.
Olive Oil Coffee – What’s Going On?
Before diving into how olive oil affects taste and health, it helps to understand how this coffee trend started and why it has caught so much attention.
The New Trend in Coffee
This new twist in the coffee world didn’t come out of nowhere. Here’s how olive oil found its way into espresso and why Starbucks made it a headline act with their new coffee beverages.
Olive oil in coffee isn’t just a TikTok fad. The buzz started in 2023 when Starbucks unveiled Oleato, a line of espresso-based beverages infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil.
Former CEO Howard Schultz said he was inspired while traveling in Sicily, where locals often drink a spoonful of olive oil in the morning for its health benefits.
From Starbucks Reserve locations to specialty coffee shops, you can now find coffee drinks made with a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil. Some call it the “new bulletproof coffee,” while others think it’s just a short-lived curiosity.
Origins & Inspiration
To understand the idea better, it helps to look at the traditions that inspired it and how it compares to other coffee-with-fat trends.
Drinking olive oil isn’t new.
In the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is used daily for heart health and overall wellness. Coffee drinkers who embraced bulletproof coffee, the blend of butter and MCT oil whipped into coffee for steady energy, may see this as a more natural, plant-based alternative.
In many ways, olive oil coffee feels like a cousin of bulletproof coffee.
Both drinks rely on fat to change the mouthfeel of your brew and slow down how quickly caffeine hits your system.
But where bulletproof coffee leans toward keto culture with butter and coconut-derived oils, olive oil coffee ties in with the Mediterranean diet and the long tradition of drinking or drizzling extra virgin olive oil for health.
By adding olive oil to coffee, the idea is to combine the benefits of olive oil with the energy boost of espresso or regular coffee without reaching for butter or MCT oil.
How Olive Oil Changes Your Coffee
Now that you know where the trend came from, let’s talk about what olive oil actually does to a cup of coffee.
Texture, Mouthfeel & Taste
So what actually happens when you put olive oil in coffee? The biggest differences are in the texture, flavor, and overall drinking experience.
Adding olive oil to your coffee does more than just increase calories. The oil creates a velvety texture and smooth mouthfeel that’s closer to a latte, even if you’re drinking black coffee.
Flavor depends heavily on the oil you use.
A good olive oil has fruity, peppery, or grassy notes. In small amounts, this can enhance the coffee flavor. But too much olive oil, or poor-quality oil, may overpower your brew.
If you’ve ever wondered what coffee taste might be like with a drizzle of healthy fat, this is it.
How to Make Olive Oil Coffee at Home
Curious to try it yourself? Making olive oil coffee is easy, and you can do it with whatever brewing method you prefer.
- Brew your favorite coffee, whether it’s espresso, black coffee, or even cold brew.
- Add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
- Use a milk frother or blender to emulsify the oil with the coffee so it doesn’t float on top.
- Adjust the amount of olive oil to your taste. Start small and build up.
Some people add milk, oat milk, or even flavor syrups, but many prefer keeping it simple to enjoy the olive oil flavor.
Health Claims vs. Reality
Since both coffee and extra-virgin olive oil are already known for health benefits, it’s natural to wonder what happens when you put the two together in olive oil-infused coffee.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Coffee
Since both coffee and olive oil already carry health reputations, it makes sense that combining them would catch attention. Let’s look at what each brings to the table.
Olive oil is well known for being rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. Research shows it supports cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, and plays a big role in the Mediterranean diet.
Coffee provides its own set of benefits, from improved focus and mood to reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
So it’s not surprising that combining them has people curious.
What Happens When You Combine Them?
Mixing olive oil with coffee hasn’t been studied directly, but we can guess at the effects by looking at each ingredient separately. Here’s what happens when you put them together.
- Energy release: The fat in olive oil may slow caffeine absorption, giving you a smoother, longer-lasting buzz instead of a quick spike.
- Calories: A tablespoon of olive oil contains about 120 calories, so keep portion size in mind.
- Digestion: For some, olive oil may help with gut health, while others might find it causes stomach discomfort if they add too much.
What the Experts Say
Not everyone is convinced olive oil coffee is the next big thing. Nutritionists, baristas, and everyday drinkers all have their own take.
Nutritionists generally agree that olive oil and coffee are both healthy, but mixing them doesn’t create a “super drink.” It’s more of a lifestyle choice.
Starbucks Oleato stirred controversy not only because of taste but also because some customers reported digestive side effects.
Specialty coffee baristas have also questioned whether this trend will stick around, or if it’s simply another seasonal experiment.
So, Should You Try Olive Oil in Your Coffee?
At this point you’re probably wondering whether drinking olive oil coffee is actually worth trying. Here’s what you can expect if you decide to experiment.
On the plus side, olive oil can give your cup a smooth, velvety texture and add a subtle flavor twist. You also get the natural antioxidants and healthy fats that make extra virgin olive oil so popular in the Mediterranean diet.
Some coffee drinkers even find the addition of olive oil helps take the edge off caffeine jitters, giving them a steadier buzz.
But there are trade-offs.
A spoonful of olive oil comes with extra calories, and the strong flavor of certain oils can clash with lighter coffees. It can also upset your stomach if you overdo it, and the health research on olive oil coffee itself is still limited.
In other words, it’s not a miracle drink, just an interesting variation.
If you want to give it a try, start small.
Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil and add no more than half a teaspoon to begin with. Blend it well so the oil doesn’t float on top, and see how it tastes.
You might find cold brew works better for you than espresso, or that a peppery olive oil pairs nicely with a dark roast while a milder oil complements a lighter coffee. Experiment a little and see what works.
Olive oil coffee is most appealing if you’re already adventurous with specialty drinks, or if you follow a Mediterranean-style diet and don’t mind working olive oil into your morning coffee routine.
And of course, you need to genuinely enjoy the taste of olive oil, because even in small amounts, the flavor will come through.
Final Thoughts
Olive oil and coffee together may sound unusual, but it’s not as wild as it seems. Both are everyday staples that carry their own sets of health benefits.
Mixing them creates a new coffee drink that’s smooth, slightly nutty, and full-bodied.
Is it worth trying?
Yes, as long as you go in with an open mind.
Olive oil coffee isn’t a miracle health hack, but it’s a fun experiment for anyone who enjoys coffee culture and wants to explore new flavors.
Start small, use a good olive oil, and see if it enhances the way you enjoy coffee. You might just find that this new trend is one worth keeping in your morning routine.
