The Olive Oil Coffee Craze: Health Fad or Genius?

Mixing oil and water sounds like a bad science experiment. Yet, adding olive oil to morning coffee is exactly what millions of people are trying right now. This unexpected combination promises sustained energy without the midday crash, but it has also sparked intense debate among coffee purists, dietitians, and regular café customers alike.

Where Did the Olive Oil Coffee Trend Start?

While adding fat to coffee is not a new concept, the specific use of olive oil hit the mainstream in the spring of 2023. Starbucks launched a new line of drinks called “Oleato,” which translates loosely to “with oil” in Italian.

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz developed the idea after a trip to Sicily. He noticed locals consuming a daily spoonful of extra virgin olive oil for their health. Schultz began taking a spoonful alongside his morning espresso and eventually decided to mix the two together.

To bring this to the masses, Starbucks partnered with Partanna, a premium Italian brand that produces cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. The company rolled out several specific drinks, including the Oleato Caffè Latte, the Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso, and the Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew.

How Does Fat-Infused Coffee Actually Taste?

If you just pour a glug of olive oil into a mug of black coffee, you will end up with a greasy, unappetizing layer floating on top. The secret to this trend is emulsification.

When barista-grade equipment steams or aggressively shakes the olive oil with milk (Starbucks often uses oat milk for these drinks), the fat molecules break apart and blend into the liquid. This creates a remarkably velvety, thick mouthfeel.

The taste itself is polarizing. High-quality extra virgin olive oil has a distinct flavor profile. It is earthy, slightly nutty, and sometimes carries a peppery finish. Some coffee drinkers love how the savory notes of the oil balance the natural acidity of a light roast coffee. Others find the lingering taste of liquid olives completely ruins their morning pastry experience.

The Core Claim: Sustained Morning Energy

The biggest selling point of olive oil coffee is the promise of sustained, jitter-free energy. This claim actually has solid nutritional science behind it.

A standard cup of black coffee absorbs into your bloodstream rapidly. This gives you a quick spike of alertness, followed by a noticeable crash a few hours later. Adding fat changes how your body processes that beverage.

One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil contains 14 grams of fat. Fat is a complex macronutrient that digests very slowly in the stomach. When you consume caffeine alongside a heavy dose of fat, the fat acts as a buffer. It slows gastric emptying, meaning the caffeine trickles into your system gradually over several hours rather than hitting you all at once.

This is the exact same biological mechanism popularized by the “Bulletproof Coffee” trend, which blends grass-fed butter and MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) coconut oil into hot coffee. Olive oil simply swaps out saturated animal fats for plant-based, heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

The Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Beyond slowing down your caffeine buzz, olive oil brings its own impressive nutritional resume to your coffee cup. Extra virgin olive oil is the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet.

• Antioxidants: High-quality olive oil is rich in polyphenols. These plant compounds help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
• Heart Health: Olive oil is packed with oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat. Studies consistently link oleic acid to lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels.
• Satiety: Consuming fat in the morning sends powerful signals to your brain that you are full. Many people find that an olive oil latte keeps them completely satisfied until lunchtime, reducing the urge to snack.

The Controversy: Why Are People Complaining?

Despite the high-profile launch and potential health perks, the olive oil coffee craze has faced severe criticism for two very specific reasons.

The Unexpected Calorie Bomb

Many people view coffee as a calorie-free way to start the day. Adding olive oil changes the math completely. One tablespoon of Partanna extra virgin olive oil adds roughly 120 calories to your drink. A Grande-sized Oleato latte at Starbucks contains 330 calories and 22 grams of fat. If you are watching your daily caloric intake, drinking your fats can easily lead to unintended weight gain.

The Digestion Issue

Shortly after the Oleato drinks debuted across the United States, social media flooded with complaints about stomach issues. The combination of coffee and olive oil creates a perfect storm for your digestive tract. Caffeine is a known stimulant that increases gut motility. Olive oil acts as a gentle lubricant for your digestive system. When you consume both simultaneously on an empty stomach, it can cause a rapid, urgent laxative effect.

How to Try It at Home

You do not need to visit a premium coffee shop to test this trend. You can easily make an olive oil coffee in your own kitchen for a fraction of the price.

1. Brew one cup of high-quality coffee or two shots of espresso.
2. Pour the coffee into a blender or use a handheld milk frother.
3. Add one teaspoon to one tablespoon of premium extra virgin olive oil (start with a teaspoon to see how your stomach handles it).
4. Add your preferred milk or sweetener.
5. Blend or froth vigorously for 15 seconds until the liquid turns a pale, creamy color and a thick foam forms on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does olive oil coffee break a fast?

Yes. Extra virgin olive oil is pure fat, and one tablespoon contains 120 calories. Consuming this will break a strict caloric fast, though it will not trigger an insulin spike since it contains zero carbohydrates.

Can I use regular cooking olive oil?

You should avoid using refined or light olive oil for coffee. You need cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to get the fruity flavor and the antioxidant benefits. Refined oils will taste flat and excessively greasy.

Is olive oil better than butter in coffee?

It depends on your nutritional goals. Butter provides saturated fat and a creamier, dairy-based taste. Olive oil provides monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered better for long-term cardiovascular health.

Why does the oil separate from my coffee?

If your drink looks like a puddle of oil floating on water, you did not emulsify it correctly. You must use high mechanical agitation (like a blender or a rapid frother) to bind the fat molecules with the water molecules in the coffee. Simply stirring with a spoon will never work.