To buy the right olive oil, you have to decide what kind of oil you need; you should also know what distinguishes a great oil from a mediocre one. It also helps to be familiar with the processes used by olive oil manufacturers so that you can pick the best oil to suit your end application.
Anyone in the olive oil business can tell you their opinion, but finding the right olive oil is like finding the right wine: it's very subjective. But if you know where to start, doing a few taste tests is all you need to get you on your way.
1. Check out traditional olive oil made using the cold pressing method. This process doesn't use heat to get the oil from the olives and therefore, produces a better oil.
2. Find information on olive oil brands that produce extra virgin olive oil. This oil is of the highest purity and is preferred by many customers because of its lower acidity.
3. Taste a few olive oils infused with different flavors. An infused olive oil can really add a special kick to your dishes.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Buy cold pressed olive oil for the best quality
Traditional olive oils are pressed from fresh picked olives. This usually occurs within 24 hours of harvesting. Whole olives are first pressed into a paste, then pressed again to squeeze out the oil. This process is known as cold pressing and is the best way to make olive oil that has a quality taste.
I recommend: Order true Italian olive oil from
Zingerman's Mail Order. Check out the high-end oils available at
DiBruno Brothers.
Give your customers the best; use extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin oil, or EVO, has less than .8 acidity. This oil has the highest purity of any of the olive oils, and to assure that you're getting the best, look for the seal of certification from the California Olive Oil Council.
I recommend: Purchase certified EVO from California's
Apollo Olive Oil. Try EVO made from Tuscan olives at
Lucini Italia Co.
Cook with infused olive oil for an extra zing
Olive oils can be "infused" with a variety of herbs and flavors to add to the taste of the oil. The most common type of infusion is with herbs, but some companies have gotten creative and are offering flavors like blood orange and jalapeño.
I recommend: Buy olive oil infused with flavors from porcini mushrooms, white truffles, garlic, basil and oregano from
Olio2go, which offers wholesale purchasing. Try a few of the delicious infused olive oils from
Sotto Voce, which also has a wide selection of flavors.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Organic olive oil is probably the best olive oil out there. It is pure, it's "green" and it tastes great. Many organic olive oils aren't much more expensive than traditional oils, so they are cost effective as well as high quality. Even better, get an organic EVO.
The official source of Olive Oil for Your Restaurant is the Olive Oil page at Business.com
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