Tested, Tasted and Terrific Olive Oils

I read the article and enjoyed it. I'm sorry to say that the oil that you get in the American supermarket isn't that great. My wife is Italian and we just retired in Crete Greece. There are over three million olive trees just on the island of Crete and one thing is for sure, the Greeks know how to press olives. We have the oil from Italy and it's better than the States, but in many peoples opinion here in Crete that Italian oil isn't that great. Good but not Great. There is several rumors that the Greeks sell most of the olive oil to Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. They say that the Italians blend their oil with the Greek oil and that's why there oil is fairly good. That's what the export to the States. Well, we have several Greek friends that always give us a couple liters of oil after they have their first press. Now that's GOOD, no GREAT!!!!

I really like Chaffin Family Orchards Olive Oil. They produce their olive oil from Mission Olives. Its the mildest most buttery oil I have ever tasted. You can buy it online at https://www.chaffinfamilyorchards.com/store/results.php .

I also worry about imitation olive oils. I think the best and maybe only way around this is to buy direct from farmers. Use sites like local harvest to help you locate reputable farmers. If products aren't available local, call the farmer on the phone ask them your questions and tell them your concerns before having them ship you product. I think this is type of buying is best for both the grower and the eater as a dialogue between the two parties creates an understanding that is lost when food is sold through middle-men.

I, too, am concerned about the fake olive oils out there. It sounds like not even the bottlers and distributers know if they're receiving the "good" stuff, so there's almost no way of knowing whether you're getting real olive oil or a colored and scented cheaper oil.

Hi Cathy, hope you are successful in your Olive Oil tree growing and having your own olive oil. we live in the South of Italy (Puglia) and we are in the olive oil season. we hand gather ours and take them to be cold pressed the same day. this is the best way and the percentage of acidity is 0.03 this year. it takes a month for the oil to settle in containr before you can use it. we have 17 olive trees, and 110 on some more land so plenty of oil. this year we hand picked 4 trees and the yield was 20 litres of beautiful oil. This was our first year into picking our own olives, so next year we should have many litres of oil, we hope to find a buyer. i hope Mother Earth can do the article on olive oil, its a fascinating process from tree to oil.

TRIED THEM ALL!
THE BEST OLIVE OIL IS FROM PORTUGAL.
JUST CHECK FOR YOURSELF AND YOUL'LL AGREE.

I, too, would appreciate an article on growing your own olive trees, how to harvest olives, and how to make olive oil. I live in Central Texas and there are a few companies in this area who are testing the feasibility of the olive industry. I would like to know more - how many trees one would have to plant to produce enough oil for a family, what kind of trees, etc. Thanks!

Good extra-virgin olive oils are available for much less than $15 for 17oz(1/2 litre)from many sources including warehouse clubs and markets specializing in imported foods. Supermarket prices are often the highest for even average quality oils. I typically pay about $9 per litre-34oz-at Trader Joe's for their best quality private label EV oil.
I use it on and in everything requiring oil and have not used corn, soy or canola oils in years. If you use a lot of olive oil you can often purchase it economically in large tins and keep it cool, but not in the frig as it will solidify below about 40-45 degrees F.

I would love to see an article about fake olive oil as this is a huge issue. So many companies are diluting their oils by adding lesser grade oils such as canola. They have been fined (such as Carapelli) but it continues with some companies.
It's a huge problem because there isn't enough policing for it. I'll love to know what to look for in classifications or certification. Or a list of oils that are guaranteed pure olive oil.

HAVE YOU TRIED 'BARIANNIS'.COM IT'S FABULOUS. ORIGINAL ITALIAN OLIVE GROWERS IN CALIFORNIA.

How about an article on making your own olive oil? There are varieties that are quite hardy, and can be grown farther north, even.

I use a lot of olive oil. Extra virgin is my favorite, as suggested, for salad oil and pasta. I keep a lot of virgin on hand for cooking and for soap making.

Kim
Blessed Farm, WA

A terrific olive oil that is widely available in the US is Red Island from Australia. I've never been a fan of any olive oils, but this one is absolutely fantastic. I buy it at my local grocer, you can check on their website for a grocer near you or you can purchase online. redislandaustralia.com

Those who taste-tested for Mother Earth will be amazed if they try this guy - nothing else is close. I pay $12 for 500 mL (16 oz)--it's often on sale for $8.

If you are from the Napa Valley area in California (or anywhere within a days drive) I suggest you find the Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufactory in St. Helena, CA. I believe They have the best Olive Oil made in the US. I live on the east coast but I make a point of stopping there to get olive oil whenever I'm out in California. They only sell locally or in person so it's a hassle to have to pickup but I think the quality is worth it! Oh - and bring cash or check, they don't take plastic!