It turns out coffee and olive oil don’t mix well.
Starbucks consumers are giving a zero-star review of the coffee giant’s new olive oil-infused drinks with some saying the caffeinated combo isn’t settling well with stomachs.
The Seattle-based java company launched the European-inspired line of coffee drinks — dubbed the Oleato line — made with Partanna extra virgin olive oil in Milan in February. The beverages made their way to the US in March.
They include the Oleato caffe latte, made with its blonde espresso roast infused with extra virgin olive oil steamed with oat milk; the Oleato ice shaken espresso, with notes of hazelnut, espresso, oat milk and olive oil; and a cold brew variety made with extra virgin olive oil, milk foam and cold brew.
And while the hybrid libations seem adventurous for the coffee chain, Starbucks baristas and customers are giving candid reviews in a subreddit thread titled “Olive oil drinks …” .
“Half the team tried it yesterday and a few ended up … Needing to use the restroom, if ya know what I mean … I’m honestly scared to try it because I already have stomach/bowel problems,” wrote a supposed Starbucks barista.
The Reddit user cautioned that their store manager wouldn’t want them sharing the candid feedback.
Others wrote in the thread that they had similar experiences with the olive oil lattes, espressos and cold brews.
Another commentator admitted feeling sick after consuming.
“I’ve tried them, and tbh [to be honest] after drinking them honestly they just felt sick to my stomach lowkey,” commented another. “Like I had no appetite at all after that and that was the only thing I’ve had in the whole day.”
One person was relieved to have read the warning, writing: “Person with stomach / bowel problems thank you for the heads up.”
Others noted the drinks have an unpleasant smell with the olive oil looking more dark green and visible when mixed with the coffee.
“I wanted to throw up after,” they opined in the Reddit thread.
The comments continued on Twitter. One blunt critic proclaiming: “The oleato at Starbucks is a legit laxative,” NBC News reported.
Nonetheless, the drinks have their fans. “I love the drinks and I haven’t had any issues!” wrote one person on Reddit.
Another noted that the olive oil enhanced the beverage’s flavor — “The sweetness carries over amazingly.”
Meanwhile, one coffee buff pointed the finger at Starbucks for dreaming up the unsettling combination.
“Caffeine is a stimulant for your bowels and oil is a relaxant,” a Redditor wrote, sarcastically applauding the chain. “Wonderful idea Starbucks.”
Another jokester chimed in: “New marketing campaign – Starbucks new weight loss coffees!”
Ahead of its release at Milan’s Reserve Roastery earlier this year, the Oleato was intended to be a “velvety smooth, delicately sweet and lush coffee that uplifts each cup with an extraordinary new flavor and texture,” according to Starbucks.
Starbucks did not return a request for comment.