If you haven't tried our Extra Virgin Olive Oil yet, now is the perfect time to bring a bottle home! Our oil is a blend of five olive varieties, creating a distinct flavor and a beautifully balanced profile. You'll find notes of Granny Smith apples, matcha, and Cavolo Nero Tuscan kale, followed by a strong, peppery finish.

But what exactly makes an olive oil extra virgin, and what makes it different from the other olive oils you might find on the shelf?

What Makes It Extra Virgin?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality grade of olive oil. It is made directly from olives using mechanical methods, without heat or chemicals that can alter the oil during extraction. Because it is minimally processed, more of the olive's natural flavors, aromas, and beneficial compounds remain in the finished oil. This is also why extra virgin olive oil can taste so different from one bottle to another. It isn't meant to be flavorless; depending on the olive varieties, growing conditions, and harvest timing, an extra virgin olive oil can have notes of fruit, grass, herbs, bitterness, or pepper. 

Other types of olive oil undergo additional processing and may be blended with refined oils. Extra virgin olive oil, on the other hand, comes straight from the fruit and retains more of what makes that fruit distinctive. And you can taste the difference in our oil! The apple and green, herbaceous notes give the oil freshness, while its peppery finish adds a little bite.

The Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

Some of the characteristics we love about extra virgin olive oil come from naturally occurring compounds called polyphenols. These antioxidants are found in olives and are especially abundant when olives are harvested earlier in the season. Polyphenols contribute to the green, complex flavors of olive oil, including that pleasant peppery sensation at the back of your throat. They also contribute to some of the reasons olive oil has earned its reputation as a healthful part of the diet.

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which can support heart health and healthy cholesterol levels. Its naturally occurring antioxidants have also been studied for their role in the body's response to inflammation and oxidative stress. Research continues to explore the potential long-term benefits of an olive oil-rich diet, including connections to cardiovascular health and healthy aging.

So when you're enjoying a flavorful extra virgin olive oil, you're getting more than something delicious to drizzle over dinner. You're also getting the natural benefits of the olive fruit in a minimally processed form.

Put it On Everything!

The best way to appreciate all of these qualities is to use your extra virgin olive oil generously.

While summer tomatoes are still around, slice up a ripe tomato and drizzle it with olive oil and a little salt. Toss it into a salad or whisk the oil into a vinaigrette. Dip crusty bread straight into it, or pour it over toast and avocado toast. Al especially loves olive oil on toast, although his idea of a drizzle is more like a pour!

If you're looking for something more warming, use it to sauté vegetables, add richness to soups or sauces, or finish a dish just before serving. And don't forget about dessert! One of the simplest ways to enjoy a flavorful extra virgin olive oil is to drizzle it over a scoop of good vanilla ice cream. The richness of the ice cream paired with the fruity, peppery notes of the oil makes for an unexpectedly delicious combination.

Olive oil also has a wonderful place in baking. Swap it in for butter or other fats in cakes, quick breads, and cookies, where it can add moisture and a subtle richness while letting the other flavors shine. Olive oil cakes are especially worth trying, and if you start searching for olive oil-based cookies and other desserts, you may find yourself salivating over all the possibilities. It's a great way to experience olive oil's flavor in an entirely different setting.

A good extra virgin olive oil doesn't need a complicated recipe. In fact, simple foods are often the best way to experience it. If you haven’t tried a bottle of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil yet, this is your invitation! Pour a little, take a taste, and see what you find.