Beyond the Ranch
Where Does Pasolivo Olive Oil Come From?
The new year has just begun and with this fresh start often comes new resolutions. Maybe you plan on consistently going to the gym, starting your own passion project or...
Where Does Pasolivo Olive Oil Come From?
The new year has just begun and with this fresh start often comes new resolutions. Maybe you plan on consistently going to the gym, starting your own passion project or side hustle, or maybe you simply want to make healthier choices when fueling your body. While the health benefits of consuming extra virgin olive oil (evoo) are unmatched, not all olive oil is created equal. This raises the question, “Where does olive oil come from, and more specifically, where does Pasolivo’s Olive Oil come from?” At Pasolivo we are committed to creating high quality extra virgin olive oil from olives that are sustainably farmed in Paso Robles, California. Studies have shown that up to 70 percent of “extra virgin olive oil” sold on shelves today does not comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. We do not compromise on quality or taste which is why our olives are cold pressed only hours after being picked. This results in true evoo that has only been extracted once and contains the health benefits many consumers are looking for. So, the next time you cook a meal, try incorporating a tablespoon of Pasolivo Classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a peppery finish to your favorite home cooked meal or even drizzle some of our award-winning California olive oil on top of a fresh garden salad. Not only will you reap the health benefits from our oils’ free radicals and anti-inflammatory properties, you will also feel confident knowing exactly what you are consuming and how our oil was created. What does “bottled by” mean? When you walk into grocery stores looking to purchase the best olive oil there are countless options to choose from. While some find comfort perusing the aisles and taking their time looking at new products and brands, others simply do...
How is Flavored Olive Oil Made?
Olive oil is an essential ingredient for cooks, but flavored olive oils are a newer option that can add a whole other dimension of depth and flavor to food. There...
How is Flavored Olive Oil Made?
Olive oil is an essential ingredient for cooks, but flavored olive oils are a newer option that can add a whole other dimension of depth and flavor to food. There are three ways to make flavored olive oil: co-milled, infused, or via oil-to-oil blending. At Pasolivo, we use nothing but the freshest, natural ingredients to create our award-winning oils. A number of our flavors are made by co-milling - meaning the olives and the herbs (like our Basil Olive Oil) go through the olive press together. For other flavors, we opt for naturally extracted oils (such as oil from the zest Meyer lemons and Persian limes) and combine that with our extra virgin olive oil olive to create its unique flavors. In this week’s blog, we’ll explain the three ways flavored olive oils are made and how to cook with them. Co-Milled Olive Oil First-of-all, there are several factors that influence the quality of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), including when the olives are harvested, how they’re picked and how fast the olives get to the mill. At Pasolivo, we hand-pick our olives to prevent imperfections or damage from machinery. We also have a mill on-site, which means everything gets processed within hours of picking to ensure the highest quality. When it comes to flavored oils, each blend starts with our freshly picked olives. From there, we combine in natural ingredients - with no artificial flavorings or preservations. During last year’s harvest, we added 1,200 pounds of fresh red jalapeños into the mill along with the olives to give this oil its fiery kick. Once the oil separates from the paste, all those flavors commingle into one delicious flavored olive oil. We use the same process for our garlic and basil olive oils. Infused Olive Oil Infused olive oil is...
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,...
