Beyond the Ranch
Was Olive Oil the First Gift Ever Given?
Sadly…no, but olive oil gifts are not a new idea. According to legend, the city of Athens earned its name because of an olive tree. When the gods could not...
Was Olive Oil the First Gift Ever Given?
Sadly…no, but olive oil gifts are not a new idea. According to legend, the city of Athens earned its name because of an olive tree. When the gods could not decide who the city belonged to, the king of the city held a contest seeing which god could bestow the best gift. After creating the olive tree and gifting it to the city, the goddess Athena was chosen as the victor. The Athenians prided themselves on their wisdom, and in their wisdom, saw many benefits of olive oil and the olive tree. The tree provided olives to eat, shade to sit under, and leaves to preserve food, while the oil was useful for improved health and enhanced cooking. This gift became the first instance of award winning olive oil, but it would not be the last. Even after several millennia, olive oils are still being given as gifts and winning awards. Pasolivo’s very own extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) have a long award winning history. In fact, all five of our current extra virgin olive oils— Cucina, Classic, California, Tuscan and Il Singolo— won Gold Medals at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition 2021! This makes our oil not only one of the Best Olive Oils from California, but also one of the Best Olive Oils in the World! Ok, we’ve established that these are award winning olive oils, but does that make them a good gift? Think back to the best gift you have ever received. Got it in your mind? Now I would bet that it had all three of these qualities: it had value; it improved your life in some way; and it showed that the person giving it to you really knew and understood you. So, since high grade olive oil has all of these qualities,...
What is California Olive Oil?
As a consumer, you might be asking yourself “What is California olive oil?” Is olive oil different based on where it comes from? We thought we would check in with...
What is California Olive Oil?
As a consumer, you might be asking yourself “What is California olive oil?” Is olive oil different based on where it comes from? We thought we would check in with our General Manager and Level Two Olive Oil Sommelier, Marisa Bloch Gaytan, to share some information on this topic. Most people know Italy for its olive oil, but Spain is actually the largest producer of olive oil in the world. In general, when people think of extra virgin olive oil their minds tend to go to Europe because they have been producing olive oil for centuries. Olive oil is a fairly new industry in the United States, at least when it comes to producing it, so why choose California olive oil? If you live in the United States, think about it this way. Extra virgin olive oil is best consumed when it is first produced. After that, you want to use it within approximately two years from that date, however some oils can last longer than that. If your EVOO has to come all the way from Europe, you are wasting precious consumption time on travel. Just like getting your produce at a local farmers market, why not get your olive oil close to home as well? Pasolivo welcomes people to come and view our property where you can see the trees, view the mill, and taste the olive oils before purchasing them. When you buy local, California olive oil, you are more easily able to monitor the freshness and quality of oil you are purchasing. So what is California olive oil? By definition, it is extra virgin olive oil that is produced in California using California grown olives. If an EVOO says California on the label, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a true California olive oil. Some...
Is olive oil a healthy fat?
Olive oil is becoming increasingly popular worldwide as more people learn about the importance of eating healthy fats. One of the best sources of nutritional fats and cooking oils you...
Is olive oil a healthy fat?
Olive oil is becoming increasingly popular worldwide as more people learn about the importance of eating healthy fats. One of the best sources of nutritional fats and cooking oils you can buy is high quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). In this week’s blog we’ll explain why olive oil is a superfood and how its nutritional benefits exceed other cooking oils. What is a superfood? Superfoods are densely nutritious foods that are exceptionally good for your health and well-being. Some of the most powerful superfoods are garlic, blueberries, broccoli, spinach and olive oil. Experts suggest incorporating these nutritious foods into a balanced diet. Thankfully, really good olive oil compliments and enriches most foods. What are the health benefits of olive oil? Nutrient-rich superfoods contain a variety of vitamins and minerals to help ward off disease and extra weight. They also improve energy levels, support cell growth and protect organs. Healthy extra virgin olive oil is known to be one of the best superfoods because of its powerful antioxidants and monounsaturated fats. Even though oil is all fat, studies have shown evoo can lower cholesterol and body inflammation. However, it’s important to buy top rated olive oil. Regular olive oil, virgin olive oil or extra light olive oil has been chemically refined and overly processed which significantly reduces its nutrients and flavors. What’s the best oil to cook with? It depends. Not all cooking oils perform the same, but quality olive oil tends to be the most versatile and most flavorful. While evoo has several health benefits, it’s smoke point is relatively lower than other oils. Therefore, we recommend it for low and medium heat cooking, as well as dipping and drizzling. Vegetable oil has a higher smoke point which works well for deep frying, but it's generally less nutritious. It’s...
How do you store olive oil?
Olive oil is a household pantry staple. Many people store it near the stove for convenience or style. However, that can be harmful for three reasons: heat, light and air....
How do you store olive oil?
Olive oil is a household pantry staple. Many people store it near the stove for convenience or style. However, that can be harmful for three reasons: heat, light and air. In this week’s blog, we’ll explain how to properly store extra virgin olive oil and keep it fresh for as long as possible. Should olive oil be stored in the fridge? Not everything is fresher in the refrigerator. Pasolivo’s Olive Oil Sommelier Marisa Bloch Gaytan says avoid storing evoo in the fridge because it can affect its taste and health benefits. Olive oil will solidify and then thin out at room temperature, but repeating that action will break down its chemical components and lower its quality. Gaytan suggests keeping your healthy olive oil out of the fridge, away from the stove and away from windows. You should also avoid placing olive oil on top of the fridge where it can get hot. Where should I store olive oil? The best place to store olive oil is in a cool, dry and dark cupboard. If you’re unsure whether or not your oil has gone rancid, we suggest a smell test. Fresh quality olive oil smells bright, earthy and clean, but old olive oil may smell like crayons or glue. Remember to protect your olive oil from the three major enemies: heat, light and air. We also recommend using it quickly and buying good quality olive oil for its extended shelf life, health benefits and sophisticated flavors. How does light harm olive oil? Light is another major enemy to olive oil. Too much direct sunlight will degrade its quality and remove healthful antioxidants through a series of chemical reactions. Why the Pasolivo black bottle? Pasolivo’s dark, iconic and sophisticated black bottle is designed to block out the harmful effects of light. Clear,...
What are the Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Ol...
What are the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil? Regular intake of extra virgin olive oil has been associated with a variety of benefits that increase life expectancy and...
What are the Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
What are the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil? Regular intake of extra virgin olive oil has been associated with a variety of benefits that increase life expectancy and mitigate the signs of aging. Over the past decade, researchers from around the world have uncovered increasingly more evidence about the wide range of health benefits and why high-quality olive oil can extend human lifespan. In this blog, we will highlight five major health benefits of extra virgin olive oil as well as the best olive oil you can buy for your health. Lowers “Bad” Cholesterol Top quality olive oil is loaded with antioxidants that naturally lower the body’s “bad” cholesterol. Bodies need a healthy amount of cholesterol, but much of the fat-like substance is dangerous. High-quality extra virgin olive oil contains high density lipoproteins (HDL), a “good” cholesterol that helps remove too much of the body's low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, from oxidizing in the body. Lowers Blood Pressure Several studies have shown olive oil lowers blood pressure because of its heart-healthy antioxidants called polyphenols. However, not all olive oils are the same. Real extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil, which makes it more expensive, but it also contains the most nutrients to lower blood pressure and the highest levels of polyphenols. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to several health complications, such as a life-threatening aneurysm. Experts suggest consuming two to three tablespoons of the best quality olive oil daily to prevent high blood pressure. Helps Prevent Cancer Researchers discovered a chemical compound in olive oil called oleocanthal that kills human cancer cells without damaging non-cancerous cells. However, scientists will underscore quality matters more than quantity. Olive oil has various levels of oleocanthal concentration because of its origin, harvest time and...
How to Bake with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Curious about how to bake with extra virgin olive oil? You aren't the only one! Olive oil cakes are nothing new, but they’re becoming more and more popular for several...
How to Bake with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Curious about how to bake with extra virgin olive oil? You aren't the only one! Olive oil cakes are nothing new, but they’re becoming more and more popular for several reasons. Extra virgin olive oil is a wonderful alternative to butter and other cooking oils because of its nutritional benefits and unique flavor. It’s also a great way to keep your baked goods moist. In this blog, we explain when to use it, how to bake with it, and why you are going to love it. What’s the Best Kind of Olive Oil for Baking? Quality and flavor are critical when selecting an olive oil for baking. Extra virgin olive oil or EVOO is always going to be the best option because it comes from the first pressing, which means more health benefits and more flavor. For baking, we suggest using a mild extra virgin olive oil that’s buttery, fruity and not so bitter - like our Pasolivo Cucina Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you are looking to add a dash of flavor to your baked items, you can also try a flavored oil. We love our Tangerine Olive Oil in brownies and our Lemon Olive Oil in chocolate cake. The important thing to remember is that you don’t want the flavor of the oil to overpower the rest of the dessert. More robust and peppery olive oils like our Tuscan Olive Oil or Classic Olive Oil are better for salads, steaks and potatoes, but not necessarily baked goods. Is Light Olive Oil Healthier? Using anything labeled "extra light olive oil" won’t reduce the number of calories, it just means less flavor and less nutritional value. That’s because extra light olive oil is a mix of highly processed olive oil and other cooking oils like vegetable, peanut, and canola. How...
