Increasing numbers of people are becoming aware of the benefits of extra virgin olive oil. However, selecting a genuine product can be challenging for consumers.
How should good olive oil taste?
Image Source: Olive Oil Times
Good olive oil should have a fresh, fruity, and slightly bitter taste. It is important to remember that extra virgin olive oil is essentially fresh-pressed olive juice.
A very good extra virgin olive oil will exhibit characteristics of being fruity, bitter, and pungent.
An exceptional extra virgin olive oil will showcase a balance of flavors, harmony between fruity and bitter notes, and a persistent taste that lingers on the palate.
Here are some key steps to follow:
- Smell it: Trust your nose. A pleasant aroma is important and should not repel you. Weak fragrance or soapy/musty smells may indicate counterfeit or rancid oil.
- Taste it: The oil should have flavor, such as buttery, nutty, or grassy notes. Bitterness is also a positive characteristic.
- Feel it: Pure EVOO has a unique mouthfeel. It should leave your mouth feeling clean, not grassy (a sign of oxidation or rancidity), and may produce a slight burn or tingle in the back of the throat, indicating higher polyphenol content and greater purity.
- Know your source: The best way to ensure quality is to know and trust your producer. Trace the information on the bottle back to the source, and consider direct sourcing from a family grove as a sign of integrity.
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