This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carapelli for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Yes, Really...
This blog is not about food. I love food but I'm not much of a cook.
I do make spaghetti quite a bit. Like at least once a week.
Mostly I take a can of Hunt's tomatoes with roasted garlic and add a little olive oil and spices.
Sometimes I just put olive oil and Italian spices on my spaghetti noodles.
So the other day when the good people of Carapelli contacted me and asked if I'd do an olive oil tasting, I thought - why not?
Apparently, olive oil tasting is very similar to wine tasting.
Carapelli sent me the instructions on how to do the tasting. First I was to poor the oil into a wine glass and warm it with my hands. You then taste using the four S's.
The four S's are:
Swirl, Sniff, Slurp and Swallow
1. Swirl - by swirling the olive oil in your glass you release the oil's esters, which are the molecules that contain the aroma.
2. Sniff - Now inhale deeply. The aroma is the key to the fruitiness of the oil. Is it intense or is it more subtle?
3. Slurp - Sip the oil while "sipping" in a bit of air. This slurping action emulsifies the oil and helps spread it throughout your mouth. Take note of the various tastes and sensations. Is it fruity, peppery , smooth?
4. Swallow - Once you swallow the oil, it should leave your mouth with no aftertaste. Again, take note of any peppery or stinging sensation in your throat.
Armed with these instructions I set about to give it a try.
I taste tested two of their oils.
Their premium extra virgin olive oil and their extra light olive oil.
The extra light is intended for cooking use. It is very light in taste...just a hint of olive.
I can imagine it would work very nicely in many recipes.
But what I was most interested in trying was their EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
I must admit I'm not very informed on olive oils..I buy according to who has the most authentic looking label and nicest bottle. Carapelli is very impressive on both counts.
That is how I shop. If you have a pretty label...I'll buy your product.
But through the taste testing I did learn to appreciate the quality and taste of Carapelli's product.
First it has a lovely heady olive aroma and fine smooth texture.
The aroma is heavily olive in fragrance. The taste is very nice, very olive filled.
I'd say it is hearty, bold and strong in olive flavor. I like my olive oil to taste strongly of olives and this one did.
It was much better than the brand of olive oil I had in my cupboard and I will most likely buy Carapelli from now on.
And they are not paying me to say that.
Carapelli is Italy's No. 1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I can see why.
Carapelli's Master Tasters craft the exclusive blends of the best oils from the finest Mediterranean olive groves.
It's premium 100% Italian - made solely from the first cold pressing of the finest 100% Italian olives with an intense, robust flavor and aroma.
Actually, the tasting got me in the mood for a little snack that's served at many Italian restaurants.
I made a little dipping sauce for bread I had on hand. I poured a little in a bowl then added balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper.
It was a delicious little snack after my official olive oil tasting.
How about a coupon for $1.00 off your next purchase of Carapelli olive oil? Here you go.
Now...does anyone want me to do a soy sauce taste test?
I'd gladly do that too. Or actually wine taste testing for the blog would be fun...wouldn't it?
Well, fun for me.
16 comments:
I have heard that tasting olive oils is a little like tasting fine wines too. You did a great job sampling them and giving us your review. Thanks for the informative post! Amy
I usually buy Carapelli. You have made me soooo hungry now and I am trying to avoid bread! Agh!
Thanks for the coupon!
well i do consider myself a cook and i do love their olive oil. and how you served it with balsamic and lots of cracked pepper is my absolute favorite vegan happy hour snack. i used to cry a little at the thought of no more cheese and crackers but this little snack is way tastier to me. and yes i wish someone would pay you wine taste and then write about it while intoxicated. that would be quite funny i'm sure. xo janet
I love to cook and olive oil is pretty much part of my daily routine in some shape or form. I used to make sauce the way you did with Hunts and my oldest son still loves it that way the most:) I will have to give this brand a shot. Thanks for the review.
Yummy! I'll have to try it and then compare it in a tasting to the brand I usually buy. I'll gladly do a wine tasting!!!
I have never heard of olive oil tasting Nita!
This was fun to read!
Hugs & Have a pretty day!
Kristin
Nita, this is the first I ever heard of olive oil tasting, but thanks for educating me on the 4 S's.
What a lovely review and I think I will try those very soon. I love using all kinds of olive oils!
Hugs~
Nita, I have gone past several posts to catch up and I have to say. You are a trooper, a fighter, and I wish you lived next door. Hang in there, kiddo. It's going to come around. The new year is just around the corner. And one more thing, you alone have the talent of thousand designers!!!!!!
So cool that Carapelli contacted you! I love olive oil, and would you believe that my son and I were just comparing two different olive oils that I had in my cupboard tonight? Carapelli is a good brand. Nothing better than a good bread dipped in some good olive (and a glass of wine) ... the ultimate fast food for me.
I cook with olive oil almost everyday. I will give this brand a try!
How fun Nita! I love dipping great Italian bread in the olive oil mixture as you described! Yum!
Please Come and enter the 1st of Twelve Days of Holiday giveaways from Dovecote Decor! It is stunning!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Sign me up for a chocolate tasting! But I do love to use olive oil with good bread, and lots of ground pepper. Laura
Nita I always learn something new from you!
Not only is olive oil a staple in my pantry, but it's in the bath as well. It makes a teriffic body lotion for winter parched skin!
Check out Amazon for its December recommended reading. There you'll see the title 'Extra Virginity: the Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil' (Tom Mueller). Who knew olive oil led such an exciting life!
Wishing you well.
Nita, I never knew that you were to test olive oil like wine. That is one of my favorite relaxing things we do on vacation . Sip wine and dip bread into olive oil. I will definitely use this coupon
i think i want to eat salad for my dinner.
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