Splurge Olive Oil

Cooking Discussions
1

What are some brands of excellent extra virgin olive oil and sources? I want to use it to finish dishes, not for cooking. Thanks!

2

I am a pretty big fan of COR and think their Miller’s Blend is delicious without going crazy on the price.

3

i’ve recommended this French OO in the past. it’s excellent and happens to be stocked at my local. might have to order it online otherwise if you’re not as lucky.

4

Zaytoun - a Fairtrade organic Palestinian oil.

There’s local company near me which has it when available. Supplies are often interrupted due to the blockade. You’d need to check availability wherever you are in the world but its quality makes it well worth seeking out. And, without wishing to put too fine a point on it, you’re doing your little bit to support the resistance.

1 Like
5

My favorite splurge olive oil is Laudemio. It is absolutely delicious.

I use it when I make this incredible cake.

1 Like
6

there is no possible answer to the OP question . . .

very simple reason(s):

  • extra virgin / first press / whatever . . . varies from olive grove to olive grove, and season to season.
  • there is absolutely no technically quantifiable measure as to what makes ‘the perfect extra virgin olive oil.’
  • and, even if “extra virgin olive oil” could be precisely defined, , , , the cook’s/consumer tastes/preferences would not agree ‘the EVOO’ is what they like.

for anyone seriously deep into EVOO - the answer is to find a local shop with a whole variety of EVOO and do a tasting. what you liked last year, you may barf at this year. less because your tastes/preferences changed, more because Mother Nature made a different EVOO this year . . .

some producers are more highly regarded than others.
some producers have the ability to ‘blend’ EVOO’s ‘to their standards’
but olive oil is not like blending wine or distilled spirits - the EVOO shelf life is seriously shorter.

2 Likes
7

This is so true Tom.

EVOO really should be sourced and bought locally and enjoyed as soon as possible.

As I live mostly in Southern CA, one of my favorites is Temecula Valley Olive Oil Company, who grow their own olives and blend it themselves, as well as having several tasting rooms around Southern CA.

https://www.temeculaoliveoil.com/extra-virgin-olive-oil/temecula-valley-blend-extra-virgin-olive-oil-garden-press-mount.html

8

This is a great response!

I recently took an untasted chance on a Spanish early harvest Picual EVOO by Castillo de Canena. I’m not generally a fan of grassy, peppery oils, but this one’s a winner–100 points on the Flos Olei Guide. Cheap, too, where I found it.