Short guide on how to taste extra virgin olive oil
Like wine, extra virgin olive oil is also tasted and evaluated according to precise rules.
Discover in this brief guide how to taste the extra virgin olive oil!
How to combine olive oil with dishes
Olive oil is widely used in the Mediterranean diet.
However, extra virgin olive oil is not all the same, so it is important to know how to combine the right oil with each dish.
Here is a brief indication of possible combinations of dishes and olive oil:
- Intense Fruity Oil: ideal for cereal soups, grilled red meats, aromatic raw vegetables and bruschetta.
- Medium Fruity Oil: excellent with vegetable soups, sautéed fish, grilled fish, boiled chickpeas.
- Light Fruity Oil: ideal with delicate dairy products, fresh salads and boiled or steamed fish.
How to taste extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is defined as the oil obtained from the first pressing of olives through mechanical processes, therefore without recourse to processes or chemical substances, in conditions that do not cause oil alterations.
Therefore the simple “olive pressing” is enough to transfer all the natural substances it contains to the extra virgin olive oil. It is no coincidence that he is called by many “elixirs of long life”. Extra virgin olive oil contains significant antioxidants such as vitamin E and polyphenols.
To taste the extra virgin olive oil there are precise rules for the organoleptic evaluation even if the actual tasting involves a professional, or almost, knowledge of the product.
Olfactory analysis
Heat the oil in the glass to release and enhance the volatile aromatic components.
The tasting temperature should be about 28 ° C, this allows to better capture the organoleptic differences since at lower temperatures there is a poor volatilization of the aromatic components, while at high temperatures the production of volatile substances takes place.
Bring the small glass to the nose and smell the oil in order to capture all the pleasurable sensations or not. Each oil is characterized by its own scents (intensity, fragrance, freshness, balance) and any defects.
Gustative analysis
Take a quantity of oil equal to one teaspoon in the oral cavity, without ingesting it.
Aspirate air, slowly and gently, then more vigorously so as to vaporize the oil in the oral cavity. In this way there is a first contact with the taste buds.
Rest your mouth by slowly moving your tongue against the palate.
Aspirate the air again by bringing the tongue against the palate and half-open lips. The purpose is to vaporize the oil by emulsifying it with saliva to bring it into direct contact with the lateral taste buds.
At the end, expel the oil without swallowing.
Assessments
Carefully evaluate the retro-olfactory sensations by continuing to move the tongue against the palate.
In Campestri, in the Mugello valley in Tuscany, our Resort is set up to offer guests a journey into the culture and the world of Olive Oil. From the passion for olive oil the first Olive Oil Resort in the world was born.
Book now an unforgettable stay in the rolling Tuscan hills and a sensory journey to discover how to taste the extra virgin olive oil!
Quick Booking snippet
Extra virgin olive oil is a natural product that continues to evolve after pressing. Heat, light and oxygen accelerate this process and gradually affect both flavour and quality. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, this is something we know well. Our family has been producing extra virgin olive oil for generations, using olives grown in […]
Mugello is best known for its charming villages, ancient woodlands, historic villas and quintessential Tuscan landscapes. What many people don’t realise is that, after sunset, its clear skies and low levels of light pollution create ideal conditions for observing constellations, planets and, at the right time of year, even the Milky Way stretching across the […]
Villa Campestri, the world’s first Olive Oil Resort, transforms extra virgin olive oil into an experience that brings together nature, gastronomy, wellbeing and a deep connection to the land.
Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling as tired as when you went to bed? Or found yourself exhausted at night, only to lie awake for hours? Perhaps you’ve experienced that familiar afternoon slump, when your energy suddenly disappears for no obvious reason. Most of us blame stress, a busy schedule or lack […]
One of the most meaningful experiences during a trip to Tuscany, beyond visiting art cities or iconic landscapes, is connecting with everyday local life. That connection often happens in village markets, artisan workshops, and small food shops where products are made for the people who live there year-round, not just for visitors. In this guide, […]
How to get to Mugello from Florence and how to travel around Tuscany with or without a car. Distances, trains, buses and transfers.
Romantic weekend in Tuscany between Mugello and Florence: scenic rooms, candlelight dinners, and olive oil tastings. Discover Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort.
Anyone visiting Florence for the first time imagines a stay right in the historic center, surrounded by museums, piazzas, and narrow cobblestone streets. It takes only a day, however, to realize that Florence is wonderful to explore yet challenging to inhabit. Between ZTL restrictions, scarce and expensive parking, constant noise, and high prices for even […]