Starbucks scraps controversial coffee range after just one year in major menu shake-up

Starbucks Oleato drinks range - which included its Golden Foam Cold Brew, Iced Shaken Espresso and Caffè Latte - were infused with a press of Partanna extra virgin olive oil

Starbucks is scrapping one of its controversial drink ranges as part of a huge menu shake-up.

The high street coffee chain will remove its olive oil-infused coffees from the US and Canada starting in early November. The news comes just one week after its new chief executive, Brian Niccol, said he was to "shake-up" Starbucks' menu and prices to attract customers back. However, the Oleato range of drinks will continue to be sold in some outlets in Italy, Japan, and China.

A Starbucks spokesperson told the BBC: "While this decision was made prior to Brian Niccol taking the role of CEO, the decision to remove the beverages aligns with his strategy to simplify our menu."

Starbucks Oleato drinks range - which included its Golden Foam Cold Brew, Iced Shaken Espresso and Caffè Latte - were infused with a press of Partanna extra virgin olive oil. They were first launched in Italy and were then released in North American and the UK last year.

Starbucks founder Howard Schultz created the products, which he said were inspired by a visit to Sicily's olive groves. In the press release sent out at the time of its introduction, the former coffee chain boss said he came up with the idea "after being introduced to the Mediterranean custom of taking a spoonful of olive oil each day".

Some coffee fans were excited to try the new drinks; however, others were a bit sceptical of how it could impact their bodies. This is because olive oil is a natural, mild laxative while caffeine is a diuretic. One X user said: "I tried one and immediately had a shooting stomach pain.” Another said: "I'm so CURIOUS about it but scared to try because I do not want to spend the day in Great Sadness." So coffee lovers feared it could be a "double whammy". However, others loved the drink with customers on X calling the beverages “very flavorful” and “so silky.”

Niccol, who previously headed the Mexican food chain Chipotle, was brought into Starbucks to help turn the business around. The menu shake-up update came after global sales at the chain tumbled by 7% between July and September. The downturn was more dramatic in China, where sales fell 14% for the same period. The new boss said he wanted to simplify what he described as an "overly complex menu".

The prices of Starbucks drinks have been blamed for the company's decline in sales as customers worldwide have been forced to tighten their belts. The chain's blended coffees and Frappuccinos can cost more than £6 for a large size. The company boss said this was an area that he wanted to look into, saying: "We will simplify our overly complex menu, fix our pricing architecture, and ensure that every customer feels Starbucks is worth it every single time they visit."