Starbucks’ latest premium quality beverage, Oleato, is now available in over 60 stores around Japan. The drinks are available from the 20th of April, 2023.
Following the February debut of Oleato beverages in Italy, and the March launch at the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Chicago, Seattle and New York, and other selected stores in the United States, Starbuck's third global launch market for the beverage line will be in Japan, where Starbucks began its journey as a global brand outside North America more than 26 years ago.
Like the iconic Starbucks latte, the origin of Oleato beverages began in Italy. While travelling in Italy in the summer of 2022, Howard Schultz, chairman emeritus and board member of the Starbucks Coffee Company, came across a generations-old family tradition of enjoying a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil each day as an uplifting ritual. The founder has now joined partners (employees) and customers in Tokyo for the unveiling of this new, transformational ritual in coffee in Japan.
“Since we first launched in Milan and now in select North American markets, the partner pride and customer enthusiasm for Oleato has far exceeded our expectations. As we introduce this new coffee innovation to Japan, my time here this week in Tokyo reminds me of the enduring and global relevancy of community, connection, and passion for both coffee and craft,” said Schultz.
“We are thrilled to introduce to the Japanese market the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients, Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities for Starbucks.”
Chief executive officer of Starbucks Japan, Takafumi Minaguchi said that it is exciting to bring Starbucks’ latest beverage innovation to customers in Japan.
“Our customers are eager to explore new ways to enjoy their Starbucks Experience. We believe that this transformational innovation of two unexpected ingredients will exceed their expectations and uplift their cup with an extraordinary new flavour.”
Oleato beverages are a line of innovative coffee beverages that brings together the unexpected. Starbucks arabica coffee is deliciously infused with a spoonful of Partanna cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. The harmony made possible by the unexpected combination results in a velvety smooth, delicately sweet, and lush coffee that uplifts each cup with an extraordinary new flavour and texture. Using only extra virgin olive oil thoughtfully selected and blended to pair perfectly with Starbucks coffee, Oleato beverages provide a new coffee ritual like no other.
With its uniquely nutty and slightly sweet flavours and the rich smoothness of buttery caramel, Partanna olive oils are natural complements to Starbucks coffee. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, the surprisingly luxurious, textural experience is like none other.
Group manager for Beverage Development, Taku Shimizu was in charge of leading the introduction of Oleato beverages to Japan.
“I was thrilled about the launch in Japan of Oleato which brings together the alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients, coffee and olive oil. We’ve exercised our creativity to find a way to introduce Oleato beverages to Japan while keeping the surprising and inviting experience of its Italian inspiration,” said Shimizu
“With these unique flavours and textures, I am confident that the delicious experience of Oleato beverages made possible by Starbucks innovation will become a new coffee ritual of our customers.”
