The most discerning palates know how to identify products with high quality standards. That is why buying gourmet olive oil has become one of the great food trends of the moment. Many people have entered this fascinating world and discovered all the properties of one of the signature ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. Do you know what has happened to these lovers of good food? We are not exaggerating: their lives have changed for the better since premium olive oil reached their tables. The intensity of its flavour and its health-giving nutrients make it an ingredient that has become essential. Your recipes will taste better than ever!
What is gourmet olive oil and how can you identify it?
When we recommend buying gourmet olive oil, it is because this is a type of AOVE whose quality is above that of standard products. Reaching this culinary category requires a harvest in which the olives are picked by hand, with great care, and taken straight to the mill to be extracted within a short time. The olives must also not have reached full ripeness, which is why we can only obtain premium olive oil thanks to the early harvest. To recognise a genuine bottle of top-quality oil, the product must have a number of particular features, which we outline here as a guide:
- Gourmet olive oil is brighter than the rest.
- Its colour is also particularly green.
- The aroma is lightly fruity.
- The intensity of the flavour leaves a slight tingle in the mouth and throat.
- Light destroys the properties of AOVE, which is why opaque containers are used. This feature will help you identify a bottle of top-quality oil.
In this article we share more secrets and features that set gourmet olive oil apart, so you can bear them in mind before you buy.
Why should gourmet olive oil be among your top ingredients?
The flavour of extra virgin olive oil is a unique pleasure for food lovers. This ingredient sits at the highest levels of culinary quality and has become highly sought after in the best kitchens. There is a reason it is known as liquid gold! As a special and exquisite olive oil, it starts from the premise that it can (and even should) be eaten raw. That way, it keeps all its nutrients at an optimal level. When used for frying, high temperatures cause it to lose intensity and its health benefits, a subject we will come back to later. What is more, the healthy fats would become saturated, which is harmful to your health and fitness. On another note, we mentioned earlier the tingling sensation that premium olive oil leaves in the mouth. This is something that draws many people because of its uniqueness, a culinary experience unlike any you have had before. You also have plenty of choice, as there is a wide variety when it comes to buying gourmet olive oil of a specific type, depending on the olive. These are some of the main ones you will find:
- Arbequina, milder and sweeter.
- Coupage, a blend of at least two olive varieties.
- Organic, grown and produced without any chemical products.
- Picual, intensely bitter, even peppery.
- Hojiblanca, whose aroma and flavour combine a mix of sensations, from an initial sweetness to a peppery finish.
- Arbosana: although its aroma is fruity, its flavour blends sweet and bitter with great intensity.
The health benefits of high-quality olive oil
When it comes to health, premium olive oil covers everything. It contains nutrients with a positive effect on digestion, the heart and even the immune system. Remember its contribution of healthy fats when eaten raw. We should also not forget that it has macronutrients that place it in the basic food pyramid, as it includes vitamins A, D, E and K. And that is not all: this gourmet ingredient helps prevent several types of cancer and is even good for the skin, hydrating and toning it.
Where to buy gourmet olive oil?
If you are looking to buy this product online, it is right here within reach. As you can see, La Matilla AOVE has all these qualities. To achieve this, we follow a meticulous process of cultivation, harvesting and production, as we have been working for years to bring the highest quality to your table. Various institutions and competitions have recognised this, naming it one of the best gourmet olive oils in the world. These awards have taken Aceites La Matilla to several countries, most recently Germany. Now it is your turn. You already know the best secrets for choosing one of the top products of the Mediterranean diet. It is time to buy gourmet olive oil in our online shop.
