How to Use Olive Oil in Cooking
Olive oil is versatile and enhances many dishes. Here are some key ways to use it alongside our balsamic vinegars:
- Sautéing & Stir-Frying: Perfect for cooking vegetables, meats, and seafood over medium heat. Olive oil adds richness and enhances flavours when sautéing or stir-frying.
- Grilling: Marinade your meats or brush olive oil onto foods before grilling to prevent sticking and create a beautifully crisp, flavourful crust. It also helps lock in moisture.
- Roasting: Drizzle olive oil over vegetables or meats before roasting to achieve a golden, crispy exterior and bring out the natural sweetness of the ingredients.
- Marinades: Combine olive oil with balsamic vinegar, herbs, and spices for a robust marinade. It works beautifully for meats, fish, or vegetables, adding depth and tenderness.
- Dressings & Vinaigrettes: Whisk olive oil with balsamic vinegar to create fresh, tangy salad dressings. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and a touch of mustard for extra zing.
- Bread Dipping: Serve high-quality olive oil with crusty bread, or pair it with balsamic vinegar for a simple yet decadent dipping experience.
- Finishing Touch: Drizzle olive oil and a dash of balsamic vinegar over soups, pastas, flatbreads, or roasted vegetables right before serving to add a burst of flavour and richness.
- Baking: Use olive oil as a substitute for butter or other oils in baking. It’s perfect for focaccia, cakes, and pizza dough, adding moisture and a light, delicate texture.
- Poaching: Gently poach fish or eggs in olive oil for a luxurious, delicate texture and subtle flavour that complements the ingredients.
- Desserts: Drizzle a little olive oil (or even our Orange Fused Olive Oil) over ice cream and sprinkle with sea salt for a creamy, sweet-savory treat. Or, try it in chocolate brownies for a unique twist.
How is Ultra-Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil Made?
At Nelson Olive Oil Co., we partner with Veronica Foods to source the highest quality ultra-premium olive oils from around the world. Our oils come from both the northern and southern hemispheres, giving us a year-round supply of the freshest olive oils available. On our shelves, you will frequently see examples from Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Chile, Peru, Australia, California, and Tunisia—each contributing unique characteristics to their oils.
Harvesting and Oil Extraction
Harvesting the Olives: The first step in making olive oil is picking the olives. This happens when the olives are perfectly ripe to get the best flavours and nutrients. Right after harvesting, the olives are sent to be processed, as this ensures that they stay fresh.
Crushing the Olives: Once the olives arrive at the mill, they are cleaned to remove any dirt or leaves. Then, they are crushed into a thick paste using large stone or metal grinders. This step helps release the juice inside the olives, which contains both oil and water.
Extracting the Oil: After crushing, the olive paste is stirred slowly in a process called "malaxing." This helps the tiny droplets of oil start to separate from the rest of the olive pulp. Next, the paste is either pressed or spun in a machine called a centrifuge. This step separates the oil from the water and solid parts of the olives, leaving us with pure olive oil.
*Cold Extraction: The process of cold extraction means the olives are crushed and pressed without using heat. This is important because heat can damage the oil's delicate flavours and reduce its health benefits. Cold extraction helps keep the oil fresh, full of flavour, and rich in nutrients like antioxidants.
*Early Harvests: Some olives are picked before peak ripeness to produce olive oil with higher levels of antioxidants like polyphenols, which makes the oil healthier and gives it a longer shelf life. Though less oil is extracted from early harvest olives, the oil also has a more robust, peppery flavour, making it a favourite for those who enjoy bold tastes.
What are the Origins of Olive Oil?
A Brief History
Olive Oil has been central to Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cultures for thousands of years, with origins dating back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. It was used not only for cooking and as a base for medicinal treatments but also in religious ceremonies and even as a fuel for lamps. Its versatility made it a valuable commodity in trade, and its popularity grew as it became a staple in various aspects of daily life.
Where Our Olive Oil Comes From
At Nelson Olive Oil Co., we carry on this rich tradition, sourcing our oils from some of the world’s best olive-growing regions. By sourcing olive oils from both the northern and southern hemispheres, we offer a diverse selection of flavours and characteristics throughout the year. In the northern hemisphere, olives are typically harvested from October through December, while in the southern hemisphere, the harvest typically takes place from May through July.
This global sourcing allows us to feature a wide range of oils, each with distinct tastes and profiles shaped by their unique regional climates and soils. By bringing together oils from around the world, we provide a rich array of flavours and characteristics, showcasing the diverse and exceptional qualities that each region contributes to our collection:
- Italy: Famous for its robust olive varieties like Frantoio, Leccino, and Coratina, Italian olive oil is known for its grassy, fruity, and sometimes peppery flavours.
- Spain: As the world’s largest producer of olive oil, Spain is home to varieties such as Picual, Hojiblanca, and Arbequina. Spanish oils are often bold, with a distinct peppery finish and high polyphenol content.
- Greece: Known for its buttery Koroneiki olive oils, Greece produces oils with a rich, herbaceous profile and a smooth, slightly spicy finish.
- Portugal: A rising star in olive oil production, Portugal’s oils are known for their delicate and nutty flavour profiles. Varieties like Galega and Cobrançosa add unique tastes to their oils.
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Chile: The Mediterranean-style climate in Chile’s southern hemisphere allows it to produce high-quality olive oils, known for their fresh, vibrant flavours with a slightly sweet profile. Often growing traditional Italian varieties of olive.
- Peru: Similarly, Peruvian olive oils are renowned for their smooth, well-balanced character. The combination of climate and soil conditions contributes to their rich, nuanced flavours and consistent quality.
- Australia: Known for its modern, innovative approaches to olive oil production, Australian oils are typically fresh and fruity, with a distinctive grassy flavour.
- Tunisia: The largest olive oil producer in Africa, Tunisia produces some of the mildest, smoothest oils, often with a delicate, buttery finish.
- California: Olive cultivation in California began in the 18th century when Spanish missionaries introduced olive trees to the region. Their olive oils often showcase a range of profiles, including grassy, fruity, and peppery notes.
How do Olive Oil Classifications Work?
Olive oils are categorized based on their chemical compositions, quality, extraction methods, and flavour profiles:
Virgin Olive Oil has a Free Fatty Acid (FFA) level of up to 2%, indicating a more basic standard with possible taste and quality defects.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a higher-quality option, with an FFA below 0.8%, cold-pressed from fresh olives to deliver a rich, complex flavour without defects.
Ultra-Premium Olive Oil represents the pinnacle of quality worldwide, with an FFA below 0.3%, cold-pressed olives crushed within hours of harvest, offering exceptional freshness, vibrant aromas, and a bold finish.
Click here for a full breakdown of the requirements needed to reach the Ultra-Premium standard.
What are Infused and Fused Olive Oils?
Infused and fused olive oils are unique offerings of olive oil that incorporate natural flavours to enhance their taste. They differ from our ultra-premium cold-pressed olive oils, which are made solely from olives without additional flavourings.
Infused Olive Oils: These are extra virgin olive oils that have been infused with natural flavours such as herbs, spices, or fruits. The infusion process involves steeping the flavourings in the oil over time, allowing their tastes to blend. Infused olive oils are great for adding a unique flavour to dressings, marinades, and dishes while maintaining the health benefits of olive oil.
Fused Olive Oils: Unlike infused oils, fused olive oils are created by crushing olives together with fruits, veg, herbs, or spices during the extraction process. This method integrates the flavours directly into the oil, resulting in a more intense and well-blended taste. Fused olive oils, like those with lemon or green chilli, provide a robust flavour that enhances a variety of dishes.
Is Olive Oil Healthy?
Absolutely! Olive oil, especially ultra-premium varieties that we stock, is renowned for its numerous health benefits, including high levels of monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and polyphenols, which support heart health and reduce inflammation. For a more detailed exploration of the health benefits and chemistry behind olive oil, please visit our Olive Oil Health & Chemistry page.
What is the Shelf Life of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Olive oil doesn’t spoil in the same way as perishable foods, but its quality can decline over time. When stored properly in a cool, dark place away from heat and light, olive oil typically remains good for 18 to 24 months from production. Once opened, it's best to use the oil within 3 to 6 months to enjoy its optimal flavour and health benefits. While it won’t spoil outright, olive oil may lose its flavour, aroma, and some beneficial properties as it ages. To ensure freshness, check for signs of rancidity, such as a stale or musty smell.
Authenticity and Quality
Nelson Olive Oil Co. prides itself on providing only the finest, authentic olive oils. Our partnership with Veronica Foods ensures that every oil we sell undergoes rigorous testing for purity, freshness, and flavour. We guarantee that every bottle of ultra-premium olive oil you purchase from us is genuine and sourced directly from trusted producers worldwide, offering you the purest and freshest olive oil possible. Click here to read more about the Authenticty of our products.