Decent flippin Olive Oil

Do not know where you live but have a look and see if there is a branch of Oil & Vinegar near you

http://www.oilvinegar.com

they specialise in Oil - as well as vinegar - a fascinating shop to browse around.

Diccus,

There used to be an Oil & Vinegar by the back entrance to John Lewis and M&S, but I've not been in for ages, and it does not appear on the web listing that Derek posted so it may have gone west. Nice little Italian deli in Newlands Road High West Jesmond that has a good range. Not far from me call in. Alternative book a nice holiday in Tuscany

Nic

Try Harvey Nix - They sell some good stuff, pay around 25 sheets and you wont be disappointed.


Peter

Your gonna pay £ 25 for Olive oil? I have some snake oil if you want some!

Thanks chaps, I was hoping for £5 a bottle to chuck on my leaves. Harvey Nicks is a bit far and thanks for the tips in Newcastle Nic. I will continue my hunt for the wholly grail.

dear diccus,
im not an expert on olive oil but the wife swears by: ILIADA extra virgin olive oil and we think its very good. not sure where you could buy it in the uk as we get it from a greek friend who brings us a litre bottle every time hes over on business. im sure you could look it up and find it. hope this helps.
regards, scotty.

The local farmers' markets near here (Dublin) have had excellent bottled olive oil from Italy, as well as 5 litre tins from Kalamata, Greece. The nice thing is that they usually have some bread and samples of each oil to try it before buying. Perhaps, there are some similar markets near your area.

Nick

Olive Oil and olives through the internet Get Oily.

Produce from different countries, in different sized containers, with some tasting notes.

My idea of a great present: Tasting Packs

James

Those Get Oily prices are about a 50% markup on the cost of buying in Greece.

Nick

quote:

Originally posted by Nick_S:
Those Get Oily prices are about a 50% markup on the cost of buying in Greece.

Nick

Nick, I don't disagree with you!

But unless one does have the ability to buy wholesale and import direct tiny quantities, it does save one the return air fare to Kalamata, which rather bumps up the price...!

Equally, for some of us the cost of travelling to one of those "similar markets near your area" also exceeds the 50% markup.

As it happens, I actually get mine from the nearest Waitrose, which offers about 20 olive oils and is a mere 40-mile round trip.

James

and I get mine from Waitrose, and they deliver it to my door.
London isn't all bad.

Diccus,

Newcastle branch of oil and vinegar is definitely closed, made a point of going past when in town today. On the other hand you do have Waitrose in Durham, wish there was one in Newcastle.

Regards

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
and I get mine from Waitrose, and they deliver it to my door.
London isn't all bad.

They don't to mine! The Sticks isn't all good ... (but mostly is )

James

Yeah we have a Waitrose which i'm not massively impressed with, but I will check their Olive oils. Any recommendations chaps.

Thanks all again

quote:

ILIADA extra virgin olive oil

seems reasonable

Lidl do a very good extra virgin for about £2 - just as good as Waitrose's £5+ offerings. They also do great chopped tomatoes for about 18p - better than Waitrose's 48p ones. No good for snobs though.

Hilary's sister lives in Trevi, Umbria, and the first of the season's pressings - around Haloween - is the best oil I've tasted; fantastic on bruschetta.

Nigel

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
Olive Oil and olives through the internet Get Oily.

Produce from different countries, in different sized containers, with some tasting notes.

My idea of a great present: Tasting Packs

James

James

Absolutely fascinating

Thanks

Diccus

Ordered this......................



from getoily

quote:

Originally posted by Diccus62:
Ordered this......................

Kali orexi!

You won't be able to get it in the UK but I'm a big fan of Wardija cold pressed extra virgin olive oil from Malta - lovely olive flavour to it.

For ordinary duties, including occasional sprinkling on salad, Carapelli makes a very fine extra virgin olive oil.

Try Esperya

www.esperya.it

Top quality and good prices. Their Mozarella is something else.

5l tins of the Philippe Berio Extra Virgin from Bookers for not a lot of money - just find someone with a cash & carry card.

I heard an expert on olive oil on the radio a few months back who dispelled some of the myths surrounding it. He reckoned some of the Greek stuff was the best & also suggested using nothing but extra virgin.

Hemp oil & rape oil are also lovely, especially with a knob of butter thrown in for a nice brown caramelised coat to fish skin, chicken etc

quote:

Originally posted by aswillman:
I heard an expert on olive oil on the radio a few months back who dispelled some of the myths surrounding it. He reckoned some of the Greek stuff was the best & also suggested using nothing but extra virgin.

Hemp oil & rape oil are also lovely, especially with a knob of butter thrown in for a nice brown caramelised coat to fish skin, chicken etc

Re the "nothing but extra virgin" suggestion, I've read that it's not good to use it for frying, because a) you lose the flavour and b) extra virgin oil can give off toxins when fried.

Not tried rape oil myself, but it seems to be the next big thing, and can save on food miles if you live in the UK.

Mark S

Co-op own brand "Greek extra virgin" a "Which" magazine favourite.

Depends what you want:-

For a drizzle one of the best is Manni but it's not cheap. Find somewhere that lets you taste it, find something you like, it's only a drizzle and may be expensive but worth it, but will only keep for a few months so don't buy in bulk.

For a general salad dressing (extra virgin) or preserving find what works for you. I've found the 5l cans from my local 'turkish/indian' shop (I live in Streatham, London) are brilliant value and taste great.

For cooking (extra virgin) I'll use the above or a bottle from a supermarket.

For frying - do not use extra virgin at high temps, or even standard olive at v high temps as you lose any flavor and benefit - then standard yellow olive oil any supermarket/bulk brand should be fine. If you need high temp fry and want to be healthy use goose fat or duck as second best.