Olive Oil

[Jason Musgrave]

Need a recommendation for some decent olive oil before my wife looses her mind...

Backstory: I brought Heather back a bottle of olive oil from Mallorca - it only lasted a week, now she's desperate for more. Apparently its not imported, I've looked all over for it.

It looks like Earth Fare/Greenlife/etc have lots of options, where to start? Need something that's not gonna break the bank (Sorry Hampco) that's easily sourced. It'll be used exclusively for dipping homebaked euro-style bread.

[Jason Musgrave]

this is what I brought back:

Ca'n Det, Olive press - Sóller, Mallorca.

[hampco]

still, i gotta pimp the fambly business, yo:

[WadePatton]

had no idea. brilliant! can i get a poster-sized print of the label for the kitchen?


About Us « Extra Virgin Olive Oil Co.

[Jason Musgrave]

Steve, I would love to try that stuff someday!

[Brandon White]

Have any brazilian groceries around you?

Sometimes they'll import some seriously awesome portuguese olive oil.

[hampco]

had no idea. brilliant! can i get a poster-sized print of the label for the kitchen?


About Us « Extra Virgin Olive Oil Co.

i'll see what i can do

[lavi]

still, i gotta pimp the fambly business, yo:

I bought some 2 Christmasssss ago. Awesome. Look no further.

[Jason Musgrave]

Steve, did not realize there was something other than the 5-liter size, will order one up asap!

[WadePatton]

i'll see what i can do

hey thanks, but don't go to any trouble. see you in Sac (hint)?

[YO!!!]

I like this stuff...

Bariani Olive Oil - Stone Crushed, Cold Pressed, Decanted and Unfiltered California Extra Virgin Olive Oil

[Mabouya]

It's been a while, so I'm bumping this thread.

Any more ideas for a "daily driver, but still very good" olive oil?

I'm not looking for the hyper-premium stuff from olives crushed by 25-yr old virgin maidens by the light of the full moon, but still something better than the stuff from who knows where that's imported into Italy, has a "Made in Italy" label slapped on, then is transshipped out.

TIA

[Too Tall]

At the risk of heresy house brand from Whole Foods is very passable for general use. We knock out a large can every month. Steve's EVO and others THAT good are saved for finishing mostly.
Careful what you purchase, it is scandalous how adulterated the market is with outright fake olive oil. Yet another reason to buy from Steve where you know the provenance.

[Moke]

We caught up with Andy at the 2002 L'Eroica. That was back when 250 guys were a lot. The place we rented owner's cousin owned a grow some, eat a bunch, and sell the rest in the mail. He explained all about the olive oil business. Italy produces x many number of liters of olive oil, consumes half that much,and exports about twice that much. He was just sayin there was a bunch of funny business going on from other producing countries selling their oil at Italian prices due to the reputation. Oils all taste different. Some you may like better than others, but most of the farm grown, home processed, and sold are really 1st class. But the good shit you don't want to use on your wholesale cooking. That is the Sunday go to meeting cooking, dippin, and savoring kind.
I have had Andy's brand and IMHO it is as good as it gets. But don't save or hoard it too much cause after after a year or so it starts to fade. Like the Tall One said Whole Paycheck has some pretty good oil for work a day world.

[Too Tall]

Good call Moke. Yes! Don't hoard your olive oil it goes rancid and loses it's zing. Use that good stuff up and buy more.

[Mark Kelly]

Rancidity is oxidative, accelerated by UV and some metals. Break down your large container into smaller, sealable dark glass containers and it will last longer (still not forever though, due to autooxidation chewing up the polyphenols).

BTW One of my oppos is an expert olive horticulturist with many years' experience, though she's now growing our millions of grape vines. If you have any questions about varieties and growing conditions she'd be a good resource.

[dogrange]

This expose of the olive oil industry by Tom Mueller is a good read and very informative:

Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil | Truth in Olive Oil

He has some helpful suggestions in the book and on his website for making sure that the EVOO you buy is actually EVOO and not some lesser grade.

[TMB]

And they ship .....


Home page | Queen Creek Olive Mill

[slowSSer]

Where are you located? Why I ask: any significant large Italian population near you? You could probably find a decent Italian run deli around.

We are lucky enough to have a good deli here in Tustin, CA. Its one of those places where when you approach the deli counter, you'd better know what you want, or the little Italian man behind the counter will ignore you and take the person behind you until you make up your mind. :)

[scrubadub]

We have a couple of local favorites:

Big Paw - I like the early season, my wife prefers the California Gold
Robbins Family Farm - All excellent. Although on a divergent note, what I really love from is their imported 18+ year aged balsamic vinegar. We go through a lot of bottles during the year for salad and give them as gifts too.
Grumpy Goats Farm - New find for this year. Their Olio Neuvo is bright, peppery and fresh with a great aftertaste.