We go through a lot of olive oil at our house. We use it to dip our bread, on salads and in many recipes. I was not very familiar with Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil, when given the opportunity to do a taste test. I was eager to try it and knew we would put it to good use. Fortunately, I already had a loaf of french bread from the bakery when the Carapelli Olive Oil arrived. At dinner time, I added a little sea salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to the olive oil. It was delicious, and so much so that we ended up eating mostly bread for our meal. It had a very pleasant taste that was not overpowering, unlike some other brands of olive oil I have tried.
As part of my review I was encouraged to do a proper taste test, much like you would do a wine tasting. I use to live near Napa Valley and have attended numerous wine tastings, but this was totally new to me. Here are The Four S’s of Olive Oil Tasting:
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.
From the taste test, I was surprised by the intensity of different flavors I could pick up on, the fruitiness and hint of pepper.
If you’d like to try for yourself, go grab a $1.00 OFF coupon at www.CarapelliUSA.com. Don’t forget that Carapelli Olive Oil is 100% Italian and obtained only from organically grown olives. Making it certified USDA organic!
