From Napa to Bordeaux : 3 Things You Need to Know When Buying Olive Oil

Olive Oil

Bellucci Premium, a producer of high quality extra virgin olive oil, comments on an article that shares the expertise of olive oil buyer Tim Bucciarelli.

According to a Men’s Health article published on November 21st titled “Olive Oil: What You Need To Know,” it takes special knowledge to identify the appropriate olive oil to purchase.

The article shares three key tips from olive oil buyer Tim Bucciarelli:

Buy it: Unlike wine, olive oil does not become better with age. The fresher the olive oil, the better. Some producers provide a harvest date, which is ideal because you want to choose the oil which has been most recently harvested. Most bottles, however, do not provide a “best by” or harvest date, so tasting is the only method. “Cues like freshness, region, and olive varietal can point to a great bottle,” says the article.
Store it: Make sure to store olive oil properly. Near the stove, where most individuals store their olive oil, is a bad place because the heat can make the olive oil go bad. Choose a dark place that has a room temperature, like a pantry.
Enjoy it: When cooking with olive oil, try to keep it at a very low temperature so you don’t run the risk of burning it and losing the flavor. When using olive oil on a salad or as a drizzle on a dish, the flavors really make a difference. Since drizzled olive oil has never been exposed to heat, it still maintains its entire original flavor.

Natalie Sexenian, marketing manager for Tuscan olive oil producer Bellucci Premium, believes that knowing how to purchase and cook with olive oil can mean all the difference. “Each variety of olive oil has its own unique taste, so it is important to know what you are buying. The region and the harvest date are two very important factors in purchasing olive oil. You should research the types of olive oil that come from particular regions. For example, olive oils from Umbria tend to be sweeter. Also, never purchase oil if you are unsure when it was harvested; it could already be rancid.”

Bellucci offers three different types of oil, including an organic option, with a mild peppery flavor and fruity undertones that will satisfy any palate. Bellucci Premium Toscano extra virgin olive oil uses olives that are grown on the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany, and maintained by 3rd and 4th generation farmers. The third type of oil Bellucci produces is the finest 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil, grown in many different regions of Italy.