Olive oil has been using in different dishes for many years because of its taste and flavor. Olive oil has been used by South-Europeans for many years because they have discovered its health benefits a long time ago. Nowadays, many countries are using olive oil for cooking, baking, and making desserts etc. But many people don't know how to taste the olive oil to enjoy its flavor.
You can enjoy the flavors of olive oil completely if you know how to taste it. This article will guide you about the art of tasting olive oil, whether you are a beginner or a foodie.
Why tasting the olive oil is important?
Olive oil is a multipurpose natural ingredient that can be used in different ways. Cooking is not the only way of using olive oil. You can appreciate the olive oil by tasting it properly. Because when you taste the olive oil accurately, you get to know its quality, origin, and taste.
A good quality olive oil is made up by a natural method and has a very nice, tangy, and complex flavor. In this way, you can easily get to know different kinds of olive oil, and it can help you to buy a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
How to taste olive oil like a pro?
Tasting olive oil consists of multiple steps like observing, smelling, and tasting because its tasting is similar to the tasting of other products like wine. You have to go through the following steps when you are going to taste olive oil:
1. Preparing for tasting:
When you are starting to taste olive oil, prepare for it. Make sure that no strong smell like perfumes or body sprays are not used on your clothes. You have to arrange tasting cups or glasses for olive oil tasting. Make sure that there is no smell in the area where you are going to test your olive oil.
2. Observing the oil:
Before going for tasting, look at the color of your oil. The colors do not tell you about the quality or flavor of your oil. Some olive oils have lighter color, but they are strong in taste while others are dark-colored and lighter in taste. The color of olive oil ranges from pale yellow to dark green.
3. Warming the oil:
You can also observe your olive oil by warming it at room temperature. You can pour your oil in the cup and warm it by your hands until it comes to the room temperature. Avoid heating or warming the oil too much because it will change the taste and flavor of your oil. Warming the olive oil at room temperature can enhance the natural flavor of olive oil.
4. Smelling the oil:
Now, it is the time to smell your oil before tasting it. Pour olive oil in the tasting cup and smell it. Fresh olive oil has a grassy, fruity, and herbal smell that gives a freshness to your oil. Smelling the olive oil gives an idea about the freshness of olive oil.
5. Tasting the olive oil:
Now it is the time to taste the olive oil. Take a sip of olive oil and fell its flavor in your mouth. Olive oils are available in different taste and varieties depending upon its production method. Feel the initial taste, middle taste, and after-taste of your olive oil.
6. Evaluating and comparing the olive oil:
Now evaluate your olive oil and know about its taste. If an olive oil is well-balanced, it will have a fruity., peppery, and tangy taste. None of the flavors will be strong enough to faint other tastes.
If you have multiple olive oils to taste, you can start tasting by the lightest one and moving towards the strongest one. In this way, you can easily differentiate between different types of olive oils.
Understanding olive oil flavors and smell:
You have to understand all the flavors and smells of olive oils if you want to understand the olive oil. A freshly and naturally produced Olive oil has a fresh, fruity taste. It ranges from green apple to grown olives, and you can use any flavor according to your need. The healthy fats present in the olive oil give it a bitter taste.
If an olive oil has bitter taste and is of high quality, it means that the olive oil is fresh. Similarly, peppery flavor and feel after having olive oil is also a sign of fresh olive oil. Some live oils are sweet and of low acidity. It indicates the freshness and high quality of olive oil.
How to use olive oil with food?
Different types of olive oils are available in the market and can be used for making different foods. Like you can use lighter olive oils for making seafood like fish and prawns etc. Similarly, strong olive oil can be used for making pasta and other fast food items. You can also use different olive oils for cooking to know which one is the best for you.
How to host an olive oil tasting?
Olive oil tasting is such a fun and amusing activity that anyone can do with his family or friends. It is not only nutritious but also beneficial for your body. You can choose different varieties of olive oil from different regions and production dates. Now decide a place where you can do your olive oil tasting and make sure that this attesting area is free of any smell like perfumes etc.
When you are tasting different olive oils, you need to neutralize your taste. For this purpose, you can serve them bread or crackers. After you have tasted all of your oils, you can discuss its taste, smell, and texture with others. Enjoy this activity with your friends or family because it is an informative activity for everyone.
Common myths about olive oil tasting:
There are many myths and misconceptions about olive oil tasting. Some of them are discussed here.
People say that you can easily tell a bout the quality olive oil by only looking at its color. But it is not true because color only tells you about the age of olive oil. Deep yellow and dark green olive oils have unique tastes.
Similarly, many people think that if the color of your olive oil is dark, its flavor is strong. Color of the olive oil is produced by its production method and type of olives used for making olive oil. Many people think that all olive oil look and taste the same. It is also false because neither of the olive oil resembles other olive oil.
There us another misconception that if you cook with olive oil, you will change its natural taste. Olive oil has a high burning point that helps the oil to maintain its natural flavor without burning the food. Some people think that aged live oil has a nice taste than fresh olive oil. Olive oil should be used within 2 months after you have opened its bottle. Because it changes its natural taste and loses its smell when you keep it longer.
People think that if olive oil has a bitter taste, it means that it has gone bad. But natural olive oil has a fresh and bitter taste that enhances the flavor of olive oil.
Do you want everyone to appreciate your olive oil when you use it for cooking? Start cooking experiments by using our different types of extra virgin olive oil in your daily life. You can only enhance the flavor of your dishes when you know all about the taste and tasting technique of olive oil. Don't waste time, visit our Shop, contact us today, and start experimenting with different olive oils today.