Olive Oil The Wonder Ingredient

True Olive Oil Is A Must In An Italian Kitchen

If you are trying to make your kitchen as Italian as possible, one of the most important ingredients that you need to have laying around is olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil has been around for thousands of years, and each and every brand has its own specific taste and density. Depending on the month that the olives are picked and pressed, will also determine just how the oil comes out as well.

There are several different countries that are producing olive oil today, and some of the most well known oil comes from Italy and Spain. Following up these two countries is Greece and France, throw in America for good measure and you have a full roster of players in the olive oil industry.

Olive Oil Does It All

One of the things that olive oil is most appreciated for, is that it can be used for just about anything. You can use this oil for cooking or oiling a pan, or you can use this oil as a dressing for a fine salad.

Whatever you choose to do with the oil, you will always want to be sure that you are using the best oil you can find. Olive oil is not something that you should settle on, and by finding the freshest and most rich oil possible you are in fact giving the recipe you are using that extra spark.

These fine oils do not fair well with age like wines do, and as they sit for prolonged periods of time, they loose their essence and become less appealing to the cook and to the recipe. This is why most Italians choose oil that is “hot off the press” so to speak. This will ensure that this oil has all of its flavor and olive charm that offers the most to the dish being used.

Oil Shopping

When it is time for you to go shopping for olive oil, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind for your search for the right oil. First you are going to want to keep a close eye on the press date of the oil, as this will indicate the quality of the oil you are buying.

If the oil is very young, then it is at its peak, and you should not hesitate to purchase this oil. If it has an older date applied, do not assume that this is aged and great oil, as you would be mistaken. When the olives are picked early, it lends for a fruity flavor for the oil.

If you are looking for this type of flavor in your oil, look for months that are early in the season such as March to August. The longer the olives sit leading into the colder months, the more nutty and woodsy the olives become. This will reflect in the taste of the oil, and should be great for pork, fish, or salad recipes.

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