Ways to Celebrate Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day

Share EVOO

Berkeley tasting EVOO on the patio at the We Olive & Wine Bar Los Gatos

Learn about EVOO

Learning about EVOO at Pinterest

Visit an olive oil specialty store

Secolari Artisan Oils and Vinegars in Bethesda

Prepare a favorite recipe

Drizzling EVOO on pasta

With the health benefits of olive oil on everyone’s lips and the movement toward more flavorful tastes, the time is right for this 8,000 year old tradition to become an irresistible, national force.  And now, we can celebrate Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day – September 30.

I’ve been passionate about olive oil all of my life.  I drizzle olive oil on all food that I prepare; infuse it in conversations about health and beauty; slather it on my face and body every day; and, recount history as shaped by the olive rather than the other way around.  

Olive oil is the gold standard of all oils. Loaded with antioxidants, it is monounsaturated fat and everyone needs fat in his or her diet. The Mediterranean Diet is considered the healthiest diet. The cornerstone and foundation of the Mediterranean Diet is extra virgin olive oil.

Olive oil is produced throughout the United States led by California (where 99% of olives are grown). Olive trees are also grown in Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Oregon, and Hawaii (on the island of Maui).

Ever since our first “foodie” President Thomas Jefferson proclaimed, “ . . . the olive tree is surely the richest gift of heaven” and deemed olive oil a “necessity of life” (along with wine and books), olive oil was destined to have it’s own National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE

• Buy certified, authentic EVOO
  • Read the label; check the harvest date
  • Know your olive oil producer
  • Visit an olive oil specialty storehttps://thepassionateolive.com/site/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=recipe
• Learn about olive oil
  • Share tips from The Passionate Olive book
  • Teach kids about EVOO with coloring book – Cattivo Olivo & the Tree of Liquid Gold
  • Taste like an expert
• Create you own olive oil experience or adventure 
  • Plan an olive oil tasting party
  • Prepare your favorite olive oil recipe

Take photos of your experiences and your favorite way to Drizzle it on . . . your favorite foods or your favorite ways to use olive oil for health, beauty, and around the house and post the photos on social media using #extravirginoliveoilday.

See the National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day calendar.