topic Re: Olive oil and EVOO in Kitchen

Olive oil and EVOO

sixteencharacter — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 21:38:28 GMT

For non-experienced cooks, what brand do you recommend for these oils? You know how Ina Garten always says, "use a good oil." If you're not experienced enough to know a good oil, how do you choose? I have access to Trader Joe's and major grocers. I heard Costco has a good oil, but it's way too large an amount for my needs. Thanks for your recommendations.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Campion — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 21:54:54 GMT

Trader Joes has great oils. I use their Sicilian but any of theirs work fine. We once bought a selection of four or five (husband was a huge fan of olive oil instead of any other oil, even butter.) All of them were suitable and reasonably priced.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

wagirl — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 21:56:40 GMT

I try to use a California made olive oil, as earlier this year there was a big stink about how the imported olive oils are not 100% olive oil; they are cut with other types of oil which is ok except I only use olive oil or coconut oil for health reasons. I can't tell you a brand specifically and I can't even tell you if I have ever tasted a "good" OO. But I do buy the CA OO fromTrader Joes---and again can't give you a brand name but its there and you just have to look on the bottle. Its a good size bottle for under $7, I think. If you cook with it, you need an extra light olive oil as that will not degrade with the higher temps.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Snowpuppy — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 22:01:14 GMT

I always thought that USA made oils didn't have a standard for EV and that the imported oils did?

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

chickenbutt — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 22:11:11 GMT

First, I just use EVOO for everything.

Secondly, I actually often purchase a store brand from my grocery store that is very nice. It's a West Coast chain, so not a national chain. But it's a nice, higher-end, chain so a lot of their store brand stuff is pretty nice quality.

I'm a bit picky so there are definitely generic brands I won't purchase.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

HonnyBrown — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 23:30:47 GMT

On 3/1/2015 Snowpuppy said:
I always thought that USA made oils didn't have a standard for EV and that the imported oils did?

The US has standards for olive oil production: pure, EV and light. Look into the refining process if you are curious.

OP, the only oil I avoid is from Kroger. My go-to EVOO is Trader Joe's.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

sunshine45 — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 23:41:25 GMT

you may want to read this article and/or buy the book EXTRA VIRGINITY. lots of great information.

Fake Olive Oil And What You Need To Know:

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/12300-is-your-olive-oil-lying-about-its-virginity.html

also check out the website eataly.com

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Shop Too Much — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 02:31:29 GMT

If you have a Sur la Table near you, they have an excellent olive oil that is very reasonably priced. It's a great oil for everyday use.

http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-449884/Marca+Verde+Extra+Virgin+Olive+Oil

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Sunshine Kate — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 02:41:53 GMT

On 3/1/2015 Campion said:
Trader Joes has great oils. I use their Sicilian but any of theirs work fine. We once bought a selection of four or five (husband was a huge fan of olive oil instead of any other oil, even butter.) All of them were suitable and reasonably priced.

I like Trader Joe's, but have not been fond of their own brands. However, I haven't tried the EVOO. Will look for it next time I go.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

adoreqvc — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 09:41:43 GMT

This is the type of EVOO I always buy, and use it for everything.

Top Grades of Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Exceptional quality, aroma and taste. The oil is from the first pressing of the olives with no chemicals or hot water added during processing. Acidity up to 0.8 percent. About 70 percent of Greece's olive oil is "extra virgin."

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:54:58 GMT

Just read this article about a lot of EVOO's sold/bought in the US are likely fake. The article makes recommendations on what to buy. Glad to know I've been buying the right kind...either Kirkland (Costco's house brand) or California Olive Ranch.

http://cdn.eatlocalgrown.com/10-fake-olive-oil.html

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Alsee — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 03:59:18 GMT

I buy it at Trader Joe's also. Tried several and they are all good

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Bhvbum — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 04:07:53 GMT

NYTimes did a great article last year about most imported Olive Oils being fake. (Google to find it). Buy the CA. oils.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

HandJive — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 04:36:51 GMT

Here's a great video about the olive oil I use and I live about 30 miles from where it's made.

ETA: here's the website.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Dorothy11 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 06:09:21 GMT

I went to an amazing seminar last year by Curtis Cord, founder of the Olive Oil Times and NY olive oil competition. You can get all your questions answered at oliveoiltimes.com as well as a list of winners from the 2014 competition. Not all imported olive oils are mixed with others.

I learned that the quality of an oil is judged only on flavor, not color. A good oil will have a strong grassy flavor, a hint of bitterness and make you cough.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

PamelaSue72 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 16:06:57 GMT

I really like Trader Joe's olive oils. I have a bottle of regular olive oil strictly for sauteing and then a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil that I use for salad dressings and for brushing over breads.

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

Campion — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:51:25 GMT

Adulteration of oils is a worldwide problem. I worked with a scientist at U Mass years ago, trying to find an analytical method (with our equipment) to analyze food oil profiles to tell if they were adulterated. I assume most of what I buy is adulterated unless I get a boutique brand of California oil, for example, and pay a lot. We used to get oil in Europe when we lived there, from a friend who was from Sicily. It came in an unmarked jug and we'd joke it was the "Don's Olive Oil." It probably was. : (

Re: Olive oil and EVOO

SaggingGal — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 16:25:04 GMT

Costco has high quality extra virgin olive oil from Tuscany for sale. It comes in dark green glass bottles available only for a few months each year. I usually purchase 3-4 bottles at a time. It is the best EVO we have ever had. Spanish olive oil is offered off-season. I do not care for it.

Costco also offers extra virgin olive oil in plastic bottles but I think the plastic alters the taste of the olive oil.

I am careful to never cook over 370 degrees when using olive oil. Reaching its flashpoint of 375 degrees can make it carcinogenic.