Tuesday, December 22, 2009

How come the olive oil in fine restaurants doesn't taste to olivey. it tastes nice and mellow/light. Brand??

What brand are they using? Is it really olive oil?





The restaurant I go to has the olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip for the bread and theirs is nice and light tasting.





When I make it here at home my olive oil (even though it is the ';light'; Bertolli kind) it still tastes really strong.How come the olive oil in fine restaurants doesn't taste to olivey. it tastes nice and mellow/light. Brand??
I've worked at places where they use extra virgin olive oil but dilute it with veg. oil. Some places use plain olive oil. The best most flavourful olive oil is Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.





If you don't care for the flavour of olive oil use Canola Oil very light tasting and healthy for you.


Just remember healthy oils are COPS: Canola, Olive, Peanut, and SafflowerHow come the olive oil in fine restaurants doesn't taste to olivey. it tastes nice and mellow/light. Brand??
It's probably a ';light in flavor'; olive oil, not necessarily an extra-virgin OO, which has hte strongest flavor. The bread they bring is uaually highly scented as well, w/ rosemary and oregano, so that may help mask some of the oil's flavor.
Actually, they probably use pure olive oil. It has to do with how many times they press the oil. The first press is virgin, the second is plain and the third is pure. It just reduces the impurities, and the olive flavor. Also depending on where you go, they use different spices in the oil. Some use pepper, others use their own mixture.
The more ';virgin'; it is, the lighter the taste. You need to find one that's extra-extra-EXTRA virgin.


Personally, I hate the taste of it!
Extra extra virgin is the only oil to use for dipping or direct tasting, imported only. Very fine. Olive oil has been purified (or strained or whtever) once. Extra/twice, extra extra/3 times and so on. The more extras the finer and lighter the taste. I have never seen a triple extra but I am a west coaster.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the best for this. If you want authentic check out the selection in the Italian section of your grocery store. The ones in the oil aisle are great for cooking, but if you want the best dipping you may have to pay a little more. You could always ask the waitress at the restaurant....They will often tell you what brand and what the mixers are.

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