Olive oil-infused coffee and other trends that are making us do a double take in 2023

Olive oil is known for its many health benefits and is typically used for dressings and cooking. Starbucks is trying to change the game regarding olive oil use. They recently announced that they are mixing olive oil with coffee. This interesting combination has many people wondering where it came from.

Here is more on olive oil-infused coffee and other trends that are making us do a double take in 2023.

Starbucks Olive Oil Coffee

Starbucks came out with a new way to customize its coffee. They are launching its “Oleato” line, which means with oil, at many Italian locations and Southern California. Other areas like the United Kingdom, Japan and the Middle East will get to try this trend later this year.

The idea came from Howard Schultz, who is the CEO of Starbucks. He took a trip to Italy and saw many Sicilians drinking the oil as a part of their daily routine. He calls it a “game-changer” when combining his daily coffee with olive oil. Many people who have tried the coffee don’t think the curious combination is as bad as they said it sounds.

Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil is a healthy option when choosing your go-to cooking oil and doesn’t have to be added to your coffee if it doesn’t sound appealing to you. There are plenty of other ways to get the health benefits of it. The oil is a healthy monosaturated fat high in antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties making it a great option to include in your diet. Here are some fantastic benefits of olive oil to start considering it a staple in your pantry.

Contains lots of antioxidants

Olive oil has many powerful active antioxidants that may reduce your risk of chronic diseases. They also fight inflammation and protect your blood cholesterol from oxidation. These benefits help lower the risk of heart disease. It also contains vitamins E and K alongside beneficial fatty acids.

Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats

This natural oil is extracted from olives.  The fatty acids in the monounsaturated fat are called oleic acids and makeup over half of the total oil content. Oleic acid may even affect genes linked to cancer and reduces inflammation. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. For example, cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, with an estimated annual 265,700 deaths. Including this oil in your diet can be a way to kill cancer cells.

Has antibacterial properties

Many nutrients are in olive oil to kill and inhibit harmful bacteria. Helicobacter pylori live in your stomach and can cause stomach ulcers and cancer. When taken daily, it can eliminate helicobacter pylori infection.

Can lead to added weight loss

Moderate intake of olive oil can aid in weight loss and does not increase the likeliness of weight gain. A Mediterranean diet with this oil is said to affect the body positively. Olive oil is high in calories containing around 120 calories per tablespoon. You don’t want to go overboard, but in moderation can benefit you.

Protects against heart disease

Heart disease tends to be less common in Mediterranean counties. Research was done on the Mediterranean diet and its effects on reducing heart disease. Olive oil and olive-oil-infused foods are one of the key ingredients of the diet that protects from heart disease. It protects you from the “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and improves the lining of blood vessels.

It also lowers inflammation and prevents excessive blood clotting. Blood pressure is one of the biggest heart disease problems and this oil has been shown to reduce it. Many studies have highlighted the power of olive oil on your heart.

Including Olive Oil in Your Diet

Putting olive oil into your coffee might not be the first route you are willing to take to include this amazing food in your diet. It can add flavor to any meal while providing many health benefits. There are many ways to start incorporating it more every day.

Butter substitute. Butter is a common household item that tends to be overconsumed. High levels of saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels, so adding the oil instead of butter to your morning toast is a great and delicious alternative.
Frying pan base. When you are about to cook fresh veggies or food of your choice, coat the pan in olive oil instead of butter. It is a tasty and effective alternative.
Use as a topping. A simple way to include the oil is by drizzling a light coat over various foods. It could be on a salad, seafood, pizza or any vegetable. Soon you will realize how versatile it is to use in many meals.
Include in baking. Instead of butter, you can use olive oil instead of what the recipe calls for butter. It creates a healthy alternative and can increase the freshness of your baked goods.

The Bottom Line

Olive oil is delicious and nutritious to the point it is added to your morning coffee. With so many excellent benefits for adding one item to your pantry, it is a no-brainer to start intaking it daily.