Olives and Extra virgin olive oil

Olive oil is the main cooking oil in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, however it is Italy that consumes more than 12 kg per person per year – as a condiment for salad, bruschettas, soups and pastas . . . . just to name a few of the wonderful Tuscan foods that are made perfect with a touch of this liquid gold . . . extra virgin olive oil.

Extra-virgin olive oil is mostly used for salad dressings and foods to be eaten cold. Used cold, its strong flavor is able to stick out while not being compromised by heat. The heat is not a friend of extra virgin olive oil. When extra-virgin olive oil is heated above 350°F (180°C), the unrefined particles within the oil get burned. This leads to deteriorated taste and even toxicity. Also, the pronounced taste of extra-virgin olive oil is not a taste most people like to associate with their deep fried foods.

Discover Tuscany has an extensive collection of exclusive and private rental vacation villas located in areas with views of olive groves. It is possible to rent a vacation home or self catering holiday apartment near an olive grove and enjoy the silver green leaves and there relaxing panorama. Many of our Tuscan vacation villa rentals are placed in prime positions to enjoy the flavour that olive groves add to the landscape in Tuscany.

Choosing a cold-pressed olive oil can be similar to selecting a wine. The flavor of these oils vary considerably and a particular oil may be more suited for a particular dish. Also, people who like lots of tannins in their red wines might prefer more bitter olive oils. An important issue which is often not realized in countries that do not produce olive oil is that the freshness makes a big difference. A very fresh oil, as available in an oil producing region, tastes noticeably different from the older oils available elsewhere. In time, oils deteriorate and become stale.

The most traditional way of making olive oil is by grinding olives. Green olives produce bitter oil, and overripe olives produce rancid oil, so care is taken to make sure the olives are perfectly ripened. First the olives are ground into paste using large millstones. The olive paste generally stays under the stones for 30–40 minutes. The oil collected during this part of the process is called virgin oil. After grinding, the olive paste is spread on fiber disks, which are stacked on top of each other, then placed into the press. Pressure is then applied onto the disk to further separate the oil from the paste. This second step produces a lower grade of oil.

Discover Tuscany offers one day bike tours in Chianti, Siena, Mugello and Florence, Italy in the region of Tuscany. Single day Tuscan bicycle tours can include winery visit and Chianti or Brunello wine tasting, visit a Tuscan hill town and have lunch in an authentic Tuscan style restaurant and taste the local olive oil. Vacation villa and apartment rental is available in Tuscnay. Active vacations are full of fun activities, including olive picking in season.

• Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) comes from cold pressing of the olives, contains no more than 0.8% acidity, and is judged to have a superior taste. Extra-virgin and virgin olive oil may not contain refined oil.
• Virgin olive oil has an acidity less than 2%, and is judged to have a good taste.
• Pure olive oil. Oils labeled as Pure olive oil or Olive oil are usually a blend of refined and virgin or extra-virgin oil.
• Olive oil is a blend of virgin oil and refined oil, of no more than 1.5% acidity. It commonly lacks a strong flavor.
• Olive-pomace oil is a blend of refined pomace olive oil and possibly some virgin oil. It is fit for consumption, but may not be described simply as olive oil. Olive-pomace oil is rarely sold at retail; it is often used for certain kinds of cooking in restaurants.

Hiking in Tuscany tours presented by Discover Tuscany include walking tours in Florence, Siena, the Chianti Pienza countryside and the spectacular Maremma Coast all of which boast a distinct olive oil flavor and color. Hikers will enjoy a hike in Tuscany through fabulous vineyards, through the peaceful olive groves, past historic Renaissance palaces and castles with stops to savour the terrific Tuscan cuisine and the local olive oil flavor. Hiking in Tuscany is the perfect way to experience the charm and beauty of Tuscany, Italy...