Gourmet olive oil: What differentiates it from the rest?
Have you tried gourmet olive oil? If so, we don’t need to tell you that it is a sublime product, you will have already checked it for yourself!
The differences between olive oils of this type and those that do not have the ‘gourmet’ label are, to say the least, remarkable. But do you know why? What exactly is a gourmet extra virgin olive oil and how do you get it?
Patience! As producers of the best gourmet olive oil in the world -Beloleum, yes-, we are experts on the subject. So let’s take advantage of this article to solve all your doubts about it.
What is gourmet olive oil?
We will start with its definition. Olive oil, as you know, is a fundamental ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. But, to enjoy the many Olive oil nutrients, it is advisable to consume it in its best version, that is, The purest and highest quality: Extra Virgin Olive Oil or EVOO.
This is obtained directly from olives through mechanical procedures, which allows keeping all the Benefits of EVOO and makes it an essential pillar of healthy nutrition.
And now comes the crux of the matter: Gourmet olive oil is always an extra virgin olive oil, but Not all extra virgin olive oils are gourmet.
It sounds like tongue twisters, right? But it’s simpler than it seems.
Basically, gourmet olive oil is an EVOO that is characterized by its Superior quality, its refined flavor and, above all, its careful production process.
The Royal Spanish Academy considers the words “Gourmet and Exquisite” related to the term gourmet, among others, and that’s where the shots go!
Differences between gourmet olive oil and other oils
So what are the differences between gourmet olive oils and those that are not?
Well, there are a few. In general, we could say that gourmet olive oil is usually made in small quantities from specific varieties of olives.
The fruit is collected at its optimum point of maturation and is processed with different methods, traditional or innovative, which they achieve in all cases. Maximize the flavor and organoleptic properties of our beloved liquid gold.
For you to understand better, we will stop, one by one, in all the differences between gourmet olive oil and the rest of the oils:
Elaboration of gourmet olive oil
How does an oil from being normal to become a gourmet olive oil with the purity and singularity that this classification implies?
through a very careful elaboration process, as we have already told you before. It is the key to everything!
If anything requires this process, it is dedication. Attention must be paid to many factors affecting the final product, from olive cultivation and Olive pruning until the extraction of the oil and its correct packaging.
To get a gourmet olive oil, it is advisable to extract the liquid just a few hours after harvesting the olive, always by hand. Oh, and we must also pay attention to the temperature! You have to do the Cold extraction If we want to fully preserve the characteristics of the fruit.
Gourmet olive oil features
If we take care of the elaboration process properly, we will obtain a gourmet olive oil with all the letters.
What characteristics define a gourmet oil? Very simple!
- Its aroma has fruity notes They often remind us of some aromatic plants. Green apple, tomato, eucalyptus, almonds, walnuts… It’s nice to smell it!
- Its taste is intense, slightly fruity and also somewhat bitter.
- Its color, in some cases golden and in others green, varies according to the olive used, but it is also always synonymous with intensity.
Olive Collection
To achieve the previous characteristics and create a good gourmet olive oil, you have to pay special attention to one of the first steps we follow in its elaboration: the olive harvest.
We also know this process as harvesting and, in it, many elements influence, such as the type of olive or the age of the olive trees. At Beloleum, for example, we work with the Arbequina, Empeltre and Selection varieties (coupage of the previous two).
Thus, for olive oil to be gourmet, it is necessary to make a Extensive selection of the fruit. Not all olives are valid: it is necessary to choose the highest quality ones to get a perfect product.
In addition, the fruit must always be collected in its optimal maturation period, neither before nor after. Normally, we do it in autumn, but it is essential to pay attention to the state of the fruit and study well what the propitious date is, because the level of maturation of the olive directly influences its taste and acidity.
By the way, the olive is manually collected directly from the tree, never from the ground!
Grinding, filtration and packaging
Last but not least, there are the crushing of the olive or grinding, its filtration and the packaging of the EVOO. They are the last steps in its elaboration, in which we should not lower our guard.
These are carried out in oil press, a place as important as the olive grove. Ours is in Belchite and its origins go back, neither more nor less, than to 1879!
By the way, watch out for the last step! Packaging is very important for proper conservation of gourmet olive oil. If it is not packaged properly, it will cease to be.
What is the Best container for olive oil? Without a doubt, an opaque one that does not let the light pass. And packaging is also something to keep in mind!
And it is that he thinks that, although you already know the differences between gourmet olive oils and those that are not, if you have not tried to distinguish them, it is almost impossible. Luckily, many times, just look at the packaging and the packaging, as careful as its manufacturing process.
On Beloleum We make it easy for you, because Our gourmet product is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, which is to say! If you haven’t tried it yet, we recommend that you do it as soon as possible, because ours is an extra virgin gourmet olive oil that really surprises.
Its flavor, its quality, its properties… We achieve everything with a lot of effort and dedication. In addition to a most nutritious liquid, our EVOO is a real pleasure in every way. A unique product with a rich history behind. Don’t let it escape anymore!
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