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OLIVE OIL 101

When it comes to extra virgin olive oil, spicy is good (for you).

Spicy, peppery, pungent—these are all words that can be used to describe extra virgin olive oil. That tingling feeling is an indicator of the polyphenol content of the oil. And like all health related buzz-words, ‘polyphenol’ is getting a lot of airtime right now, on podcasts and in the papers. So we wanted to give you the low-down on what spicy really means for olive oil, straight from an informed professional. This article was written by Alexis Kerner, a leading international olive oil e...

The olive oil 'fridge test': If only

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This article was written by Alexis Kerner, a leading international olive oil expert & environmental scientist and edited by the Citizens of Soil team. If true, the "fridge test" would single handedly solve most of the problems of extra virgin olive oil producers, taster, retailers and importers alike. Sadly, it is not that simple. And the only rule to follow here is this: if you think it is too good to be true, then it probably is. An ol...

Let's talk fat: oleic acid

Health: Omega 3 might get all of the headlines but let's not forget about omega 9, aka oleic acid? This article was written by Alexis Kerner, a leading international olive oil expert & environmental scientist and edited by the Citizens of Soil team. Polyphenols are having their moment. And whilst these small but mighty components make EVOO a superstar of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory value, we cannot forget what the majority of olive oil actually is—fat. Before the phenol-hype, sc...

Extra virgin olive oil: Is bitter better?

Love it or hate it, this controversial flavour is actually considered a positive attribute in extra virgin olive oil. While some people confuse the bitterness in EVOO as something bad, it's actually something that experts and olive oil lovers alike look out for and value. This article was written by Alexis Kerner, a leading international olive oil expert & environmental scientist. Coffee, beer, and dark chocolate are all foods we may have not enjoyed the first time we tasted them but rat...

Why is olive oil so expensive right now? Producers weigh in…

The whole olive oil industry is in flux this year, with soaring prices, global shortages, and an ever-increasing demand for the good stuff. So let’s talk about what’s going on and if there’s any signs of prices going back down. As we were in Crete harvesting what little fruit was in Christina’s groves back in November, our phone rang from another producer, Marianna, in the Peloponnese. She was fighting back tears. We’d had chats throughout the season and we were aware the harvest would be do...

Featured

How to taste extra virgin olive oil: A sommelier's guide to extra

What exactly does "extra" taste like? How do you know if what you've bought is the real deal? Here's a guide for what to look out for when trying an olive oil. So, let's pop open a new bottle, and let's explore.

Mango sorbet with olive oil

Prepare to be blown away by this flavour pairing. Sweet, fragrant mango with rich, grassy extra virgin olive oil—a dessert you won't stop thinking about. Time to get your hands on some seasonal mangos! Ok, but what is the craze all about? Well, the Alphonso variety is available only for a very short period of time each year and it has got a superior texture and flavour—you can literally taste the sun. Though not local, it is one of our favourite ultra-seasonal fruits and such a big treat. Th...

Pouring a spoon of extra virgin olive oil

5 reasons to start your day with a spoonful of EVOO

The start of the New Year is for many of us the time to reflect, set our resolutions, and create new habits. Some will meditate, some will start learning a new skill and others… will start taking a spoonful of olive oil in the morning! This oil “trend” started to emerge quite recently with celebs swearing by it. Some, like Kourtney Kardashian, shoot a spoonful of it every other day, while others, like Sophia Loren, take it to the next level by bathing in it. Beyonce consumes it so liberally...