Sit down! Could your next coffee order just be café au...oil?
It is especially common to drink olive oil. Many of us follow the popular practice of taking a spoonful of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) every morning.
And while "bulletproof" coffee with fats like butter has been popular for a few years in the nutrition and wellness communities, it's exciting to see it heading to the high street with Starbucks' announcement that it will launch "extra virgin coffee infused with olive oil." in the form of the new "Oleato" series.
But is it really healthy? What are the benefits? And—most importantly—WHAT DOES IT TASTE?!
Why do people want to put olive oil in coffee?
As people become obsessed with the magical fruit that is the olive, we obviously see endless possibilities for how to use extra virgin olive oil.
In traditional Mediterranean cultures, many aspects of which still exist today, olive oil was and is central to diet and lifestyle.
It's not just for salads and bread, it's the cornerstone of their diet consumed at all meal times in many different ways.
There is also a tradition of drinking olive oil in the morning in some areas, so a natural accompaniment to the meal would be coffee.
However, this latest trend seems to be outside of diets like Paleo and Keto, which promote healthy fats.
Although ostensibly inspired by Italian coffee culture (which we've never seen combined in the real Italy and even among the Greeks where EVOO is used in quantities that other Mediterranean countries could only dream of) - this trend is definitely based to the nutritional benefits associated with fats and specifically what polyphenols and the taste of extra virgin olive oil bring to the cup.
What are the benefits of EVOO in coffee? Is it good for you?
This really depends on what healthy fats mean to your diet, as well as what olive oil does to the flavors and palate.
There is a long list of proven health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, so adding it to anything is generally enjoyable.
More specifically, it helps slow down the absorption of food and drink, which is why EVOO is also great in cocktails!
For those of us sensitive to too much caffeine (guilty!): "By adding fats to your coffee, you slow the absorption of caffeine into your system and prolong its effects," explains Paleoonthego.com
It also helps neutralize the acidity of coffee, protecting your stomach from inflammation and supporting better gut health overall.
Finally, it can create a creamy and silky texture, especially when mixed with particularly strong coffee blends.
But let's not forget what extra virgin olive oils can do to flavors...
How does olive oil taste in coffee?
"The unexpected, velvety, buttery flavor... enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate," explains the Starbucks CEO.
But we'd say it all depends on the EVOO you use.
Just like we recommend pairing different olive oils with different foods - it depends on what you're looking for.
Want something peppery that packs a punch of polyphenols? Maybe we'll go with something like our early harvest in Magnesia.
Want something that gives almost buttery vibes and pairs well with chocolate notes? Most Greek oils suit us here.
Or maybe you want to get bitter with something that will wake up your palate in the morning? In this case, a strong Sicilian or our Croatian might be your match.
Ways to put olive oil in your coffee.
Make it possible. But rather mixing it like you would ghee or butter, blend it in a foamer or blender for that velvety finish.
Shake and stir over ice. A little hack we discovered recently is to shake the olive oil in an empty jar (or cocktail mixer) with a double shot of espresso and some ice cubes. The mixture will combine well, leaving you with a silky smooth, yet frothy base for your drink.
Source: https://www.citizensofsoil.com