More than a year after learning their farm was part of the inspiration for Starbucks’ lavender drinks worldwide, father and daughter Rick and Rebecca Olson of Lavender Connection, 1141 Cays Road, got a chance to share some of what they do with Starbucks customers.
Through coordination with the coffee franchise, they visited with customers and shared lavender essential oil samples for a few hours on May 17 at the Sequim Starbucks, 1095 W. Washington St.
“We want locals to feel proud,” Rebecca Olson said of the drink connection. “It’s awesome they’re supporting a local farm like ours.”
The lavender farm co-owners learned about their connection to Starbucks through a Gazette interview last year, she said.
Starbucks beverage developers traveled to Sequim in July 2023 for a “trek,” or “a special experience or outing that can help spark the creative process,” according to a company spokesperson at the time.
They went to Lavender Connection to cut lavender, learn about lavender oil distillation, smell the lavender, and purchase lavender products and oils for inspiration, the spokesperson said.
The trip helped them develop Starbucks’ beverages and proprietary lavender powder for three drinks released in March 2024.
This year, Starbucks is selling a lavender latte hot or iced, and an oatmilk latte with lavender cold foam.
Last year, the Starbucks spokesperson said beverage developers were drawn to the Hidcote, Melissa, Provence and Tucker varieties at Lavender Connection.
The Olsons brought three of those four plants’ essential oils to the coffee shop for customers to smell.
Rick Olson said it’s common for people to think lavender only has one fragrance and that Sequim’s farms show people its vast varieties and usefulness.
After learning about their farm’s connection to Starbucks’ drinks, Rebecca reached out to company representatives, which led to the farm hosting a private event for district managers last July, and Saturday’s event in the Sequim shop.
The Sequim Lavender Festival was first held on Aug. 2, 1997, and has helped grow Sequim’s agritourism business.
The festival is now part of the Sequim Lavender Weekend banner on the third weekend every July,
More than a dozen lavender farms are open throughout the summer or longer with online shops and storefronts.
Lavender drinks and foods have been a staple of local coffee shops and restaurants for decades with lavender in coffee, teas, lemonade, ice cream, and much more.
Lavender Connection opens Memorial Day weekend and will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Monday through Labor Day weekend. For more information, visit lavenderconnection.com.
The Starbucks at 1095 W. Washington St. is open 4:30 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit starbucks.com.
