For the gourmand in your life, look no further than these exclusive extra virgin olive oils from Spain, the world’s leading producer and exporter of “liquid gold”.
by Isabelle Kliger
What is the first country that springs to mind when you think of the world’s best extra virgin olive oil? If your answer was Italy, think again.
Spain is the world leader when it comes to olive oil production. The country is also the world’s largest exporter and consumer of this delectable gourmet product that is sometimes referred to as liquid gold.
Olive Oil Tastes Good And Is Good For You
The word "oil" may not sound like something that would be particularly good for you, but it all depends on what type you are using. When it comes to olive oil, there are three grades: refined, virgin and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The latter, which is the least processed of them all, packs a heart-healthy punch due to its high concentration of antioxidants and "good" High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. EVOO also plays a crucial part in the Mediterranean diet, which is believed to be a key reason for the extended healthy life expectancy enjoyed by people in countries like Spain and Italy.
Better still, great-quality EVOO is a delicious complement to a multitude of dishes. Choose the right one and it will not only elevate your cooking and enhance the flavor of your food, but also impress your dinner guests!
The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil From Spain
From mild, fruity Arbequinas to powerful, herbacious Picuals and complex, spicy Hojiblancas, here are eight fantastic olive oils from Spain for your favorite gourmand.
Made from 100% Hojiblanca olives grown on an ancient family estate in Córdoba in southern Spain, this premium oil by 1490 is made from olives that are cold pressed at the peak of their freshness. A fruity green oil, it is sweet and complex with flavors of apple, hay and tomato. As for the blue ceramic bottle, it is inspired by the color of the skies in the Córdoba countryside, where the rolling hills are covered with Hojiblanca olive trees. The name, 1490, refers to the year the family bought the estate, as documented in a recently recovered 500-year-old charter.
Members of the Solé family have been making olive oil since 1824, and their experience shows in the multi-award-winning Mas Tarrés. This fruity, tasty extra virgin olive oil from the hills of Catalonia is made from 100% sweet, nutty Arbequina olives. It has flavors of green apples, herbs and roasted almonds, very low acidity and not a hint of bitterness, making it the perfect complement for salads and sautéed vegetables. Mas Tarrés is packaged in appealing whiskey bottles with dark glass to safeguard the oil’s delicate flavor balance and health-promoting characteristics.
This certified organic EVOO is made from heirloom olive varietals from centuries old olive trees harvested from the terraced hillsides near the Spanish seaside town of Marbella. This is a one-of-a-kind olive oil that blends native varieties, including some that had never been documented before the Yturbe family rediscovered them on their estate. Varietals like Hojiblanca, la Zorzaleña, la Manzanilla Aloreña or Verdial Vélez – Málaga, all of which are picked by hand and pressed to create an exceptional oil with great aromatic complexity. Try it with freshly baked bread or on a salad to maximize the flavor sensation.
Read full article.
