There's Oil and then there's Oi1

The variety of olive oils available in supermarkets these days is quite mind boggling, and from my own experience the taste and quality varies enormously.  I always feel that it is worth paying a bit extra to ensure a good quality oil, made from a single variety of olive rather than a cheaper blended oil.  The concept is a lot like when buying wine, the better the quality of the ingredients, the better the end result.  I was sent some Oi1 Viannos to sample, a top quality product made to the highest standards using the best quality olives.

Oi1 use only a single variety of olive grown on small local farms in Crete.  The grove location makes a significant difference to the taste of the oil.  The olives used to make the Viannos oil come from mountainous and coastal regions giving a more robust, fruity and peppery taste to the oil.  The soil in which they grow is unspoilt by pollution adding to its purity.

Being a genuine extra virgin olive oil, the oil is pressed mechanically, a process that does not involve chemicals.  It is judged to be a superior oil with better taste, some fruitiness and no sensory defects, giving it the label of 'extra' virgin. Its acidity is less than 0.8%.

The Oi1 comes in a specially designed tin with a spout incorporated into the design for easy pouring. Sunlight and oxygen can ruin the quality, taste and health benefits of olive oil as it breaks down the naturally occurring beneficial chemicals.  The tins prevent this by by cutting down oxygen and sunlight contact.

I love the packaging, not only is a very practical way to retain the product in its optimum condition, it also looks really high quality and attractive.  The Oi1 would make an excellent addition to any Christmas hamper for gourmet loving, foodie or health conscious friends. I love making up food hampers in wicker baskets to create a really personalised and useful gift at Christmas.

The Oi1 is excellent for dipping bread.  It is such a simple starter, but so very delicious!  I fill a bowl with Oi1 and top with a little balsamic vinegar and serve with chunks of French stick. It feels very sophisticated and is perfect to start a Mediterranean themed dinner party. The kid love it too.

The Oi1 has a good taste with a lovely peppery note.  It's flavour makes it great to drizzle over pasta, salads or vegetables.  I do also use it for cooking, which does make me feel like a bit heathen, but it does impart its flavour beautifully to lightly sauteed cabbage!

The difference between the Oi1 and a cheaper blended olive oil is very noticeable, especially in terms of flavour, and the packaging is quite unique.

You can find Oi1 oils in Tesco stores nationwide for £6.50 for a 500 ml bottle.  You can find out more at www.candiasoil.com.

Hojiblanca Olive Oil...Now You're Cooking!

Single Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I recently took part in a blind Olive Oil Taste Challenge.  I was sent two small bottles of oil labelled A & B,  one a high quality single blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the other a blended oil.  I was surprised by just how different they were.  One bottle A had a rich green colour, a fresh fragrance and a fruity taste.  The other, B, was pale and smelt and tasted of absolutely nothing!  By my powers of deduction (!!) I worked out that A was the high quality oil and as a reward have been sent a full bottle to try out!

Hojiblanca Olive Oil

The oil I tested was Hojiblanca, made using a single variety of olive from carefully managed groves in Andalusia Spain, ensuring exceptional quality and taste.  The sign of the highest quality Extra Virgin Olive oil is low acidity, and at just 0.3% acidity, Hojiblanca is amongst the best quality oils you could find.

Now available in the UK, Hojiblanca promises to revolutionize how we cook with olive oil.  It is not just an oil it is an ingredient!  It is stable up to 210 degrees so it can be used for cooking without losing any taste or goodness.  This adds flavour to what you roast or pan fry, improving its taste with a luxurious twist.  It is equally good for drizzling, making marinades or dipping with its green, ripe olive flavour with hints of fruit and a subtle sweet  finish.  It can even be used as an ingredient for baking adding a unique texture and taste.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Rich in nutrients, Hojiblanca offers a wide range of health benefits as part of a balanced diet.  It can help lower cholesterol and protect your heart from disease associated with consuming saturated fats. It also contains vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols and anti-inflammatory agents.

Hojiblanca costs £3.49 for a 500ml bottle which makes it an affordable luxury, and similarly priced to inferior refined oils.  It is available in Tesco stores nationwide.

So it is time to say 'Adios' to your ordinary blended oils and 'Hola' to Hojiblanca!