Where do you get your olive oil?

[gonefishin]

I'm running near the end of my Colativa extra virgin olive oil...which got me wondering a bit. I wonder what olive oil the people at ChefTalk would recommend.

I've tried a good number of the usual brands (from Italy and Greece) that are found in the supermarkets.

Have you guys and gals got any recommendations for an above average olive oil and the website or location that it can be bought from.


thanks

dan

[mudbug]

Others may have more to add but there are a couple of existing threads on the topic here at ChefTalk:

http://www.cheftalkcafe.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=2330

http://www.cheftalkcafe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62

[liv4fud]

a good amount of knowledge in the 2 threads posted.
the one that we use currently (and Fran McCollugh recommends in her book - "The Good Fat") is the one from Costco.

Its extra-virgin and comes in a twin pack (of plastic bottles).
Its not too expensive and tastes good and has a nice aroma.

I know expensive ones are in a different category all together, but this one is quite nice.

Anybody have experience with that?

[gonefishin]

Because the archives are so good here...I almost always do a good search before posting anything. This time...I posted as I was heading out the door. I should have known better.

thanks for the info and the threads!

dan

[Mezzaluna]

Cook's Illustrated said the (inexpensive) DaVinci was good for dressings, marinades, etc. I've used it for those purposes and found it okay. If I were using it for a bread dip, I'd get stuff I'd tasted and was sure was to my liking.

[Pinot]

Here down under in Aus , I have all but stopped buying Italian/Greek/Spanish olive oil. What we get here is just not fresh enough for mine. Luckily we have a local industry growing at incredible pace and prices for good fresh oils are coming down. I buy reasonable quality local oil for about $11 US a litre. Which is good for everyday and I then buy something better for raw use and special things. I also use alot of grape seed oil for salads and general frying as well.

[PJmomrunner]

This is an excellent olive oil: http://www.castellodigrotti.it/index.html I am fortunate that my husband travels to Italy several times a year and brings back wonderful foodstuffs and wines. This olive oil is what I have in my cupboard right now.

[MikeLM]

Trader Joe's has a very nice EVOO called "First Lady Reserve" an unfiltered Italian oil for about $4.50 for 1/2 liter.

If you want to get really fancy, you can get a family-crafted EVOO from California:

Bariani Olive Oil 9460 Bar Du Lane Sacramento CA 95829 916-689-9059 (phone & fax) email: Bariani@aol.com

They are a fixture at the Walnut Creek Farmers' Market most of the year (and probably at others.) This will set you back about $65 delivered by UPS for three liters, the last time we sprung for some.

Mike

Actually, it was worth it.

[gonefishin]

In the past I've always bought extra-virgin types of olive oil. But everyone has certainly convinced me to start buying a variety of different grades. Why waste the extra virgin oil when you could get away with a lower grade.

Another oil related question...What fresh olive oils have you used? and are they available to the public?

thanks

dan