Spring brings us sunshine, blossoms, renewal . . . and a desire to clean. Because olive oil is natural, it won’t release harsh chemicals into the air like many common household cleaners. I’ve highlighted 10 spring cleaning tips with olive oil. As we get our homes organized, well functioning and clean, first of all […]
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3 Tips for Buying Olive Oil
3 Tips for Buying Olive Oil. The dilemma: you’re standing in the grocery aisle and looking at dozens of brands of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You’re confused. Which one do I choose? Choose EVOO in a tin or dark bottle or in packaging that shields it from light and oxygen. The packaging should protect […]
Olivina in Livermore
Olivina in Livermore, California – An Interview with owner Charles Crohare I have known the Charles Crohare family, from Olivina in Livermore, for over 10 years. Charles shared with me the history of the family estate. Julius Paul Smith, an early pioneer in the California olive oil industry, carved out 2,000 acres of the beautiful […]
Flavored Olive Oils: An Italian Perspective
I tend to be a purist when it comes to olive oil. My purism stems from my Italian background where there’s always a preference for fresh ingredients. The original purpose of flavored olive oils in Italy was to preserve ingredients that were out of season, for example: preserving peppers, tomatoes or mushrooms. In fact, the […]
Festivals, Food, and Fun: 2016 Olive Harvest Adventure
The 2016 Olive Harvest Adventure was filled with Festivals, Food, and Fun. The seasonal products in autumn are my favorites: truffles, chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, vino novello (the new wine) and especially, olio nuovo (the new olive oil). It is also the season for wild boar, pheasant, and rabbit. In addition to harvesting olives for 1/2 day […]
Taste and Test Olive Oil: La Prova del Pane (The Bread Test)
My Olive Harvest Adventure tour features tasting Olio Nuovo (new olive oil). One way to test and taste olive oil is with “la prova del pane” (the bread test) or the ritual of the fett’unta (oiled slice), a simple ceremony that celebrates the new olive oil harvest each year. On my Olive Harvest Adventure tours, […]
The World Series and Olive Oil
What do the World Series and olive oil have in common? Do you remember Joe DiMaggio, the famous Italian-American baseball player? He set a record in 1941 of 56 consecutive hits. He also won nine World Series titles during his 13 years with the New York Yankees. Well, it seems as if olive oil might […]
Baking with Olive Oil Instead of Butter
Using olive oil for baking is a familiar feature of Mediterranean cooking. While it may sound a bit odd, baking with olive oil has actually been done for centuries. Baking with olive oil instead of butter gives cakes and cookies a light texture and can be used with confidence in lieu of butter or other […]
Pairing Food with Olive Oil plus a handy chart!
You can create harmonious flavors by pairing food with olive oil. It is similar to pairing wine and food. Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) are varied in taste. The multiplicity of tastes and aromas make olive oil attractive to consumers who are looking for taste sensations to match each meal. There are basically two distinct […]
Love your Heart – Change your Oil!
Olive oil is one of the top foods recommended to promote cardiovascular health. Thousands of scientific studies (and the American Heart Association) declare the Mediterranean Diet one of the world’s healthiest ways to eat. A major component of the Mediterranean Diet is olive oil, which has long been considered one of the most important of […]
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