British Expatriate Network

I want to buy an olive oil that is decent. I was in Albertsons today & wrote down the names of the brands they sell.

Bertolli
Bella
Pompeian
Carapelli
Pilip Berio
Alessi Olia
Olivari
De cecco
Albertson's own brand
Grey Poupon
Mezella
Calavati - this one was produce of Italy & had first cold pressed unfiltered written on it.

I've use the Bertolli brand for cooking, but I really want one that is going to taste good when drizzled on top of Hummus or bread, that sort of thing.
Any recommendations anyone? Also what is the difference between just regular & extra virgin oil?

The brands I've mentioned are about as good as I'm going to get around here.

Janet

Hi Jan...

Extra Virgin is the first press of the olives, and so what you're looking for is a good dark green colour to the oil..

For the brands that you can lay your hands on (re your list below) I think you'll find that all of them are made in Italy or in Spain (the worlds largest producer of live oil). There are also brands from Napa Valley/California (nearly all domestic olive oils come from here) but they tend to be expensive.

De Cecco is quite a good brand if it's Extra Virgin, as is the Calaveti (did you mean Cavalli though?), and that is a good brand also.

Bear in mind that the only person who can tell what is good is your taste buds - so you may want to buy little bottles until you find one you like.

Emily and I are rather fond of Greek kalamata extra virgin olive oil, as it tends to have a good aroma and pairs nicely with blsamic vinegar for dipping bread into smile

A link too

http//www.oliveoilsource.com/

Andrew smile

I have to admit since Maczippy's mention of peanut oil, I have been using that recently to fry stuff in. Love it!

Funny as I hate peanuts but top tip there smile

I use peanut oil too. Incidentally, why is it not supposed to get too hot? Is it that it impairs the flavour?

Do you mean peanut oil?

Peanut oil can be heated to 375/380 degrees without causing problems and it will not burn at that point. Canola can go higher.

:smile:

Thanks Andrew, I may just have to buy little bottles to taste then. I'll also have to try the peanut oil, I haven't tasted that before.
Janet

Good peanut oil is wonderful to cook with and in salad dressings.

Try getting your hands on a brand called Spectrum Oils, they ain't cheap, but you can smell what they're made from as soon as you open the bottle (their corn oil is heavenly).

Also, with any nut oils keep them refrigerated or ina cool dark place away from light, as they do (and will) go rancid if you do not use them that often and have a good turnaround due to usage...

Andrew