Beyond the Ranch

Valentine Date Night Guide

Valentine Date Night Guide

There's no better to way to show affection than by cooking a meal for that special someone. Food is love, after all. Show your Valentine how much you care by...

Valentine Date Night Guide

There's no better to way to show affection than by cooking a meal for that special someone. Food is love, after all. Show your Valentine how much you care by putting together a beautifully romantic, thoughtful meal they'll never forget with a little bit of help from Pasolivo. Follow along to learn the ins and outs of hosting a formal, romantic dinner for your S.O. You'll be a pro by the end of this article!

The How To’s of Olive Oil

The How To’s of Olive Oil

As Pasolivo’s level two olive oil sommelier and master blender, I’m sharing some tips and tricks the experts use for the how to’s of all things extra virgin olive oil....

The How To’s of Olive Oil

As Pasolivo’s level two olive oil sommelier and master blender, I’m sharing some tips and tricks the experts use for the how to’s of all things extra virgin olive oil. The California olive oil industry is fast growing, and there are many things consumers do not know when it comes to quality extra virgin olive oil. How To Taste Olive Oil: If you are a professional olive oil taster, or just want to experience how the experts properly taste, there is a process to follow. By following the steps below, you will be well on your way to properly tasting this liquid gold! • Experts always taste extra virgin olive oil in a dark blue tapered glass. It could almost be compared to a votive candle holder. The reason for this is to help trap the aromas in the glass and to not be able to see the color of the olive oil. Many people think that color of the olive oil is an indicator of the quality, but that is not true. • Once your oil is poured into your dark blue glass (or other vessel), you are going to want to cup the bottom of the glass in the palm of your hand and cover the top of it with the other to embark on what we call the 4 Ss of tasting EVOO. - First you are going to Swirl the extra virgin olive oil. This combined with how you are holding the glass (mentioned above) is going to help “warm” the olive oil and release any aromas it has. - Then you want to Smell the extra virgin olive oil. This is where you are going to pick up what us tasters like to call the fruitiness of the olive oil. You will pick up aromas...

What Are The Best Corporate Gifts?

What Are The Best Corporate Gifts?

The term “positive workplace environment” is one most employees and working adults are likely aware of, and for good reason. The average person wants a job they are not only...

What Are The Best Corporate Gifts?

The term “positive workplace environment” is one most employees and working adults are likely aware of, and for good reason. The average person wants a job they are not only passionate about and enjoy, but also want to work in an environment where they feel valued, feel their work is valued, and where they can clock in to work each day knowing they are supported by their peers. As much as work is important, the people one works with are equally important and can arguably make or break job satisfaction.

Gourmet and Healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gifts for Clients, Coworkers, Friends or Family 

Gourmet and Healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gift...

As 2022 begins, how many of us are making plans to be healthier? I know I am, but how? There are many ways we can increase our health this year....

Gourmet and Healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gifts for Clients, Coworkers, Friends or Family 

As 2022 begins, how many of us are making plans to be healthier? I know I am, but how? There are many ways we can increase our health this year. Some of them seem way harder than others, like running a marathon or maybe goat yoga. While these are both great ideas, I suggest that we all start with something a little bit easier. Add more quality olive oil to our diet. For the fifth year in a row, the Mediterranean diet ranks as the best overall diet according to U.S. News & World Report. If you don’t already know, the main component of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil. Now I don’t know about you, but I would love to add a good olive oil to my diet and finish the year healthier than I started. (Maybe I can add in the marathon and the goat yoga next year. 😊 ) Be careful though when purchasing the extra virgin olive oil for your new health plan. There is a difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. If you want the health benefits, there is certain criteria you need to look for. A true extra virgin olive oil will be polyphenol rich and have a high polyphenol count (over 400). These polyphenols in the oil are micronutrients that are found in plant foods. These micronutrients are believed to improve cardiovascular health as well as cognitive function. The main polyphenol found in EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) is oleocanthal. Another way to ensure that your olive oil is healthy is to buy oil that is certified by the California Olive Oil Council (COOC). In order for an oil to be certified, it must first pass a few rigorous tests. The oil must be below .5 percent acidity...

Olive Oil Tasting in Paso Robles: What to Expect

Olive Oil Tasting in Paso Robles: What to Expect

Many people are very familiar with wine tasting, but did you know that you can do olive oil tasting too? Paso Robles is known for its amazing wines, but it...

Olive Oil Tasting in Paso Robles: What to Expect

Many people are very familiar with wine tasting, but did you know that you can do olive oil tasting too? Paso Robles is known for its amazing wines, but it is home to award-winning, California olive oil producers too. When you are looking for things to do in Paso Robles, Pasolivo goes above and beyond when it comes to tasting olive oils.

5 Most Frequently Asked Olive Oil Questions

5 Most Frequently Asked Olive Oil Questions

As Pasolivo’s Olive Oil Sommelier, I am asked many questions when it comes to all thing’s olive oil related. I thought it would be helpful to share the top 5...

5 Most Frequently Asked Olive Oil Questions

As Pasolivo’s Olive Oil Sommelier, I am asked many questions when it comes to all thing’s olive oil related. I thought it would be helpful to share the top 5 questions that have been asked lately and provide my expert answers! How to choose real extra virgin olive oil? With so much fraud in the olive oil industry it can be extremely difficult for consumers to decide which extra virgin olive oils are real. Many olive oils on the shelves are labeled as extra virgin but are not. The FDA unfortunately does not have heavy regulation on what is being imported and sold in the grocery stores in the United States. Some key things to look for to make sure you are getting a real high quality EVOO are: Is the olive oil you are purchasing certified extra virgin? Most producers who make high quality extra virgin olive oil, take the additional steps to get it certified. The California Olive Oil Council certifies most California extra virgin olive oils, but there are also the International Olive Oil Council for International oils, and a few other approved organizations for certification. Some extra virgin olive oils will have their certification on the packaging, but some producers choose not to include this because the seals design change frequently. You can usually look on the websites of the places that certify extra virgin olive oils to find whether the oil you are looking to purchase is certified. Does the oil have a Harvest or Best by Date? Many oils will list the bottling date, but this tells the consumer nothing about when the oil was produced. You typically want to consume high quality EVOO within two years of the harvest date to ensure ultimate quality. Some award- winning extra virgin olive oils can go...