A tasting of Spanish extra-virgin oils
By Marlene Parrish,
An extra-virgin olive oil tasting is conducted much like a wine tasting. In a professional setting, small measures of olive oil are poured into clear cup-shaped glasses and placed in front of a panelist.
Each glass is held up to the light and judged on color, which can be colorless or as intense as stained glass. But in some tests, the oil is placed in blue glasses to mask the olive oil color so the oil will be judged by aroma and flavor alone.
The olive oil is swirled, while the rim of the glass is covered with a lid or the palm of the free hand to warm it and trap the aroma. Inhaling deeply, judges classify the aromas. Raising a glass to take a tiny sip, they suck air through the oil as if it were a wine, taste and “chew it,” letting the oil work on the palate. The tip, center and back of the tongue as well as the roof of the mouth and throat are involved.
Continue Reading »
Posted in North America, Olive Oil by: Olives101
Comments Off on A tasting of Spanish extra-virgin oils
Do you really know your olive oils?
Texts: Marlene Parrish Photo: Tony Tye,
Spain, not Italy, is the world’s largest producer of olive oil. Members of a Post-Gazette tasting panel sampled seven extra-virgin Spanish olive oils.
Extra-virgin olive oils can be confusing. A recipe for pesto calls for a fruity and fragrant olive oil. A recipe for tapanade calls for a green and grassy olive oil. Another recipe calls for a peppery olive oil, and yet another calls for an herbal one.
Good oil isn’t cheap, and instead of finishing a bottle at a sitting as you would a bottle of wine, a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil might stay in the kitchen for weeks, even months. So how is a person supposed to know what to buy, how it tastes and how best to use it?
Continue Reading »
Posted in Health, Olive Oil by: Olives101
Comments Off on Do you really know your olive oils?
Cyprus: The magnificent beauty of Olive trees
An exhibition called ‘From Death to Life-Roots’ was held in Bellapais for one week from October 21 and at the Buyuk Han in Nicosia this past week, by the Society for Protection of the Olive Trees (ZAKAD), to attract attention to the vanishing olive trees, one of the most important parts of the natural and cultural wealth of Cyprus.
The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Asim Vehbi, and the Minister of Education and Culture, Canan Oztoprak, together with a number of environmentalists and art lovers participated in the opening that took place at the Buyuk Han.
In an opening speech, the president of ZAKAD, Cenk Soykut, mentioned that they had organised the third exhibition of ‘From Death to Life-Roots’ in Nicosia, after starting in Bellapais.
“Everything has started in Nicosia and the solution to the big question of the Olive drama will come to the seen in Nicosia.
Posted in Europe | U.K by: Olives101
Comments Off on Cyprus: The magnificent beauty of Olive trees
L’huile d’olive Algérienne ne couvre que 5% des besoins nationaux
La production d’huile d’olive Algérienne ne couvre que 5% des besoins nationaux.
La production Algérienne d’huile d’olive ne couvrirait qu’à peine 5% des besoins du pays en matière grasse végétale, soit une consommation annuelle par habitant inférieure à 1 litre, rapporte la presse de samedi.
Cette situation est considérée comme dérisoire comparée à celle du Maroc et de la Tunisie, selon la même source.
Posted in Algérie, en Français by: Olives101
Comments Off on L’huile d’olive Algérienne ne couvre que 5% des besoins nationaux
Olives and Olive Oil… French and Italian Treasures
The climate of the Mediterranean is ideal for olive trees as the terrain is sunny and mostly dry. They have been propagating this section of the world for centuries. Two prime growing regions are Italy and France. Many recall the beautiful images of olive trees in Tuscany, Italy and Provence, France. Healthy olive trees olea europea upwards of 100 years can be found within both countries. They are easily identified by their height, as mature trees reach as high as 45 feet; the older trees are also noted for their artful looking trunks as the trunks become increasingly gnarled with age. Perhaps this is why artists such as Renoir incorporated the beauty of these trees into their landscapes.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Europe | U.K by: Olives101
Comments Off on Olives and Olive Oil… French and Italian Treasures
Copyright © 2025 Olives101.com | Entries 
and Comments