Discover the magic of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)—nature’s liquid gold. From centuries-old traditions to modern health benefits, EVOO is more than just a pantry staple; it’s a cornerstone of wellbeing and gourmet cooking.
Health & Nutrition
- Heart-Healthy Fats: Rich in monounsaturated fats, EVOO supports healthy cholesterol and cardiovascular function.
- Powerful Antioxidants: Polyphenols in EVOO help fight inflammation and protect the body from oxidative stress.
- Gut Support: EVOO helps maintain a healthy gut lining and nourishes beneficial bacteria.
- Brain & Longevity: Regular consumption is linked to cognitive health, healthy aging, and overall vitality.
- Balanced Diet Ally: EVOO is a key component of the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest diets in the world.
Production & Quality
- First Cold-Pressed: EVOO is made from the first pressing of fresh olives, without heat or chemicals, preserving flavour and nutrients.
- Strict Standards: Only oils with less than 0.8% acidity qualify as extra virgin.
- Colour & Flavour: Shades range from vibrant green to golden yellow. A peppery or slightly bitter taste is a sign of high polyphenols and freshness.
- Early-Harvest Oils: “Novello” or green-harvest oils are picked early for a robust Flavour and higher antioxidant content.
- Natural & Pure: Casa Olio EVOO is 100% natural, with no additives or artificial Flavours.
Culinary Uses
- Versatile Kitchen Staple: Perfect for salads, dips, roasted vegetables, pasta, and light cooking.
- Finishing Oil: Drizzle over cooked dishes to elevate Flavour and aroma.
- Flavourful Touch: Fresh EVOO can enhance sauces, marinades, and even desserts.
- Pairing & Tasting: Like wine, premium EVOO is best appreciated for aroma, fruitiness, and peppery finish.
Fun Facts & Heritage
- Ancient Treasure: EVOO has been enjoyed for thousands of years, prized by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
- Liquid Gold: Its vibrant Flavour, nutritional value, and history have earned EVOO this timeless nickname.
- Olive Trees Live Long: Some olive trees in the Mediterranean are over 2,000 years old!
- Historical Uses: Beyond cooking, olive oil has been used for skin care, hair care, and even lighting lamps.
- Global Cultures: EVOO tastings are celebrated like wine tastings, with experts evaluating aroma, bitterness, and pepperiness.
Did You Know?
- One tablespoon a day can deliver key antioxidants and support heart and metabolic health.
- The first recorded olive oil trade dates back over 5,000 years.
- Early-harvest oils not only taste vibrant—they pack the most health benefits.
- The olive is a fruit, not a vegetable.
- Olive oil was used in Ancient Rome as a moisturizer and as a sort of sunscreen to protect against sun damage.
- Women in Ancient Greece were known to combine olive oil and charcoal to create eye shadow and eye liner.
- The olive tree has inspired artists, poets, and songwriters for thousands of years. Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, Olive Grove, and the poem, The Olive Tree, by Karl Shapiro, are perfect examples of the draw of artists to olive trees.
- Olives come in a number of sizes ranging from sub-petit to super colossal.
- Though olives are technically edible straight from the tree, you really do not want to. Fresh picked olives are very bitter and must go through a fermentation process in order to be truly edible.
- Though olive trees are not native to the area we know today as California, it is believed that around the mid-18th century, olive trees were brought to the California shores.
- The time of olive harvesting can vary depending on olive tree variety, climate, intended use of the olives, etc.; however, olives are usually harvested between mid-autumn and early-winter.
- Despite not appreciating subfreezing temperatures, many instances are recorded where the uppermost portions of the tree froze, but the roots did not die, allowing the tree to regrow. Impressively, olive trees can often regenerate this same way when faced with disease or fire.
- Olive trees have incredible lifespans, lasting anywhere from hundreds of years to even 2,000 or 3,000 years.
- The oldest known olive tree located in Crete, Greece, is dated between 2,000 and 3,000+ years, and is so famous that it has around 20,000 visitors per year! That said, there is an olive tree in Bethlehem, Israel that other sources claim is even older.
- Greece has more olive trees than people.
- When oil is mentioned in the Word of God, typically it is speaking of olive oil or a product that includes olive oil; even anointing oils, oil for light and other uses, began with olive oil to arrive at their finished product.
- Olive trees bloom late in the spring, creating small flowers that are whitish in colour.
- The Chemlali variety of olive trees can produce nearly 2,000 pounds of fruit per year once mature.
- While the variety of olive tree and the growing conditions determine its mature size, many olive trees are known to reach 25-30 feet in height, with a select few trees growing many feet beyond that.
- Olive trees—unlike some fruiting trees—are self-pollinating. In other words, you only have to have a single olive tree to produce fruit.
- Olive trees—though having requirements for optimal growth—are known to withstand periods of drought.
- Despite being largely wind pollenated, the flowers produced by olive trees do provide bees with a wonderful source of nectar.
- The wood of olive trees is not only known for its durability, but also for its beauty due to the rich color and exquisite grain patterns.
- There are eight cities in the United States of America named Olive Branch.
- The olive branch has, and continues to stand, as a symbol of peace throughout many cultures.
- Spain, Greece, Morocco, and Italy are among the countries that consume the most olives.
- Spain, Italy, the United States of America, Greece, and Syria are among the countries that consume the most olive oil.
- Olive leaves can be used to make tea that is calming and contains more antioxidants and vitamin C than green tea.
- Olives are generally considered to be one of the healthiest foods available due to their high nutritional content and low-fat qualities; this is why olive oil is viewed as one of the best oils to cook with and consume.
- Though the olive tree variety determines the age when it first fruits, most olive trees do not bear any fruit before they are three years old, with many varieties bearing fruit much later.
- Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and is believed to have cancer-fighting properties.
- Olive oil itself is naturally cholesterol, sodium, and carbohydrate-free.
- All olives start out green and change colour throughout maturation; for an olive to become black it needs a long maturing period.
