What Makes a Good Olive Oil?

Olive oil is best when it is at its’ peak of ripeness when harvested. The crop is harvested and crushed right away. The first cold press is the exceptional oil, classified as Extra Virgin, the acidity level is low, less than 1%, the fruit is clean, unbruised and has no inferior qualities that produce a mustiness, rancid, or vinegary characteristic.

The taste of a good olive oil is indicative of the variety of olive, but regardless, the flavor profile and smell should be pleasing. Fresh notes of green grass with an herbal aspect is a desired quality. Olives that are harvested just before peak of ripeness will tend to have a more pronounced bitter and peppery aspect where olives harvested a little later will be smoother and more buttery. These are very general terms, but many components come in to play just like grapes for making wine. Soil conditions, temperature and humidity all play a part in the development of the fruit.

The extra virgin oils fall into this category and that is why they are well suited as a finishing oil, for salads, or dipping bread. These oils are meant to be used, not stored away for later use. Over time, these oils lose their vibrancy and become flat and eventually rancid.

Use your oils! Enjoy them as they are meant to be enjoyed, in the simplest of forms where they are front and center, as a vital ingredient that enhances your food rather than hides behind the scenes. So don’t treat your oil as a mere condiment! Your purchase of a quality oil becomes the rock star of the dish when properly used.

Some terrific suggestions for enjoying all of the good qualities of our oils is the Greek Seasonings oil with our Zesty Lemon balsamic. This combination truly exemplifies a classic pairing where neither ingredient is overshadowed by the other. Some other suggestions for dipping bread are the Sundried Tomato or Italian Herb. Any of the Extra Virgin olive oils are the preferred choice for bread dipping. But using a flavored oil adds another dimension to your dining experience with little fuss.

Sometimes…keeping it simple is its’ own reward.