All about the oil
April 21 2010 - Just as fine wine is worth more than a quick gulp, olive oil should be treated with the same respect, according to Waitrose. This week the supermarket will launch a new range of fine olive oils. Each with distinct and rich qualities and in beautifully stylish packaging, these olive oils are more than just a kitchen essential.
In fact, you’d be hard pushed to find such a great range of olive oils in any other supermarket as Waitrose certainly has something for every type of olive oil lover.
Understandably, Waitrose realise that a vast range of olive oils can be a little daunting, which is why it has introduced new on-shelf advice for its customers. The advice aims to help customers understand the many varied olive oils available in branch. It states where each oil is from, a flavour profile, food matching notes and a handy cooking tip. So now it couldn’t be easier to educate yourself on the delicacies of the olive oil world, while working out which is your personal favourite.
Michel Sorrel and French designer Philippe Starck have teamed up and created LA Organic Arbequina oil and LA Organic Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Sorrell worked on making exceptional oil, Starck worked on the exquisite packaging. LA Organic Arbequina Oil is a mild, elegant and sophisticated olive oil from Andalucia, Spain and is perfect for use in dressings, and paired with carpaccios, seafood and salads. The LA Organic Picual Extra Virgin Oil is a more robust, full bodied olive oil which is a great complement to gazpacho, meats and fish casseroles.
Carbonnel is the world’s leading Spanish olive oil and the new Extra Virgin Olive Oil is no exception – made by crushing olives that have been picked at the optimum moment, this fruity olive oil which comes in wonderful retro tins is best used for salads, vegetables and roasts.
Castillo de Canena have launched two First Day of Harvest Extra Virgin Oils - the Picual and the Arbequina, both with chic designs. This is the third occasion the Vano family has released a special edition oil, with each release commemorated with a unique bottle design. This year, world-renowned jewellery designer Joaquín Berao has been inspired by the colour and shape of the olive. The oils live up to this impactful design – the Picual is mildly fruity with hints of balsamic and mint while the Arbequina tastes of fruit and green almonds.
The Passanha Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Quinta de S.Vicente estate is a blend of Arbequina and Cobrançosa olives. The Passanha family has been making olive oil on the same estate in Portugal since 1738. They use traditional growing methods to create this fruity and mature oil. It is great for cooking, seasoning and sauces.
Chris Moore, Olive Oil Buyer for Waitrose, commented: “Our aim is to make olive oil purchasing easy for the customer – and at the same time inform and educate them on the variety of oils in-store to suit their taste. The new range is sourced from the traditional homes of the best olive oils, each with their own distinct characteristics – so something to appeal to all pallets.”
The new range of olive oils are priced between £4.49-£15.99 and are now on shelf in Waitrose stores nationwide.