Olive oil, a basic element of Mediterranean cuisine and even beyond, is well-known for its rich tastes and health advantages. While all olive oils come from pressed olives, not all oils are produced in the same way. Gourmet olive oil envelops its competitors, offering a one-of-a-kind sensory experience that differentiates it from others. In this article, we will take a journey into the realm of gourmet olive oils, where we will discover its different varieties, tastes, and what makes it so special.
Olive oil Basics
Before we could understand what makes olive oil gourmet, we need to get the basics first. Olive oil is produced by processing the fruit of the olive tree, which is mainly grown in the Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece. Rather than using heat or chemical ways, the oil is extracted by mechanical methods so the natural flavours and nutrients are retained.
EVOO, also known as extra virgin olive oil, is the most superior grade of olive oil. EVOO is made from the first extraction of olives and has the lowest acidity level, usually lower than 0.8%. An alternative to EVOO is virgin olive oil, which is extracted without heat or chemicals but has a slightly higher acidity level and less intense flavour than EVOO. In contrast, ordinary olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined olive oils and, thus, is not as flavourful and aromatic as its pure virgin counterparts.
What is the Difference between Regular and Olive Oil?
Therefore, what is it that makes gourmet olive oil different from the rest of the oils? Gourmet olive oil is all about its high quality, distinctive taste and careful production. It is made in a special way. In terms of gourmet olive oil, it is entirely different from regular olive oil, which is mostly produced on a large scale. However, gourmet olive oil is produced with care, using age-old methods that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Also, gourmet olive oil is characterized by its taste profile. All olive oils do have some level of fruitiness, bitterness and pungency, but gourmet olive oils demonstrate these characteristics more vigorously and complexly. This complexity is the result of the different kinds of olives used, the terroir (the geographic factors such as the soil and the climate) in which they are grown, and the time of the harvest.
Varieties of Olive Oil
One of the key factors that will determine the taste and quality of olive oil is the type of olives used. There are about 300 olive varieties, each one being distinctive for its flavour profile.
Arbequina: This variety of olives originates from Catalonia in Spain. They yield oil with a silky texture, a buttery taste and fruity hints of almond.
Picual: The Picual variety, the most popular olive in Spain, provides a strong and peppery oil that ends up with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Koroneiki: The Koroneiki olive, of Greek origin, is known for the intense aroma of the oil it gives, with a grassy taste and peppery touch.
Frantoio: The Frantoio olive, a Tuscan favorite, brings a fruity aroma, a peppery flavour and a subtle bitterness to the resulting oil.
The Tastes of Premium Olive Oil
The wide range of tastes of gourmet olive oil is one of its main attractions. Gourmet olive oils can present an extensive variety of tastes, from fruity and flowery to spicy and pungent. The flavour is influenced by a lot of factors such as the variety of olives, the ripeness at harvest, the processing method used and so on.
Fruity: Gourmet olive oils usually have a pronounced fruit flavour resembling the taste of fresh olives or ripe fruits such as apples and tomatoes.
Peppery: A considerable number of gourmet olive oils have a peppery or spicy kick, mainly due to early harvested olives.
Grassy: Some premium olive oils have a grassy or herbaceous flavour that is similar to the fresh cut grass or herb.
Factors Affecting Flavour
Variety of Olives: The different olive varieties make the oils with unique flavour profiles.
Terroir: The specific environment where the olives are growing, such as soil, climate and altitude conditions, can affect the taste of the oil.
Harvest Timing: The time of harvesting the olive also influences the taste of the oil, and oils that are harvested earlier are more bitter and pungent.
Most popular Gourmet Olive Oil Varieties.
Today we can find so many premium quality olive oils in the shops, each of them having its own flavour and characteristics.
Olio Novello: A seasonal specialty, Olio Novello is an early harvest olive oil that has a high flavour intensity and bright green colour.
Tuscan Blend: An olive blend from Tuscany of different olive vine varieties, this olive oil is appreciated for its balanced flavour and the variety of uses in cooking.
Kalamata: This oil is made from Kalamata olives grown in Greece and has a rich, fruity flavour with a subtle spiciness.
Spanish Picual: A strong and spicy oil from Spain, known as Spanish Picual, is perfect for providing the needed body and taste to the dishes.
Selecting the Best Gourmet Olive Oil
Quality: Look for the oils marked as "extra virgin" because these are of the highest quality and the best flavour.
Freshness: Go for oils that are recently pressed so that they will have a more pungent and lively taste.
Taste: Think about your own flavour preferences when choosing olive oil, as different oils can have varying tastes.
Using the Gourmet Olive Oil in the Kitchen.
Gourmet olive oil is no longer confined to salad drizzling or bread dipping. It is also used in cooking to bring depth and taste to a lot of different meals.
Sautéing: Sauté vegetables, meats, or seafood with gourmet olive oil instead of other oils to prepare a dish full of flavour and health at the same time.
Marinating: Use olive oil as a base for marinades for meats, poultry or vegetables that are gourmet.
Baking: Replace butter or vegetable oil used in baking with gourmet olive oil to get a healthier version.
Final Words!
Finally, gourmet olive oil gives its consumers a memorable sensory experience that differentiates it from regular olive oil due to its varied flavours and amazing quality. Through the exploration of the varieties and tastes of gourmet olive oils, you can be amazed at the wonders of the culinary world. Drizzling over salad, using in cooking, or just eating alone, gourmet olive oil is definitely the key to your tasty creations. So what are you waiting for? Visit specialty food stores such as Gourmet Trading Co. or Amazon to shop for high-quality food products.