Fustini's Oils and Vinegarshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/2024-03-29T07:21:02+00:00Fresh Olive Oil: Going to the Source2023-11-15T00:29:19+00:002024-03-28T11:09:24+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/fresh-olive-oil-going-to-the-source/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here at Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars, we emphasize flavor and freshness with our oils and vinegars. And when it comes to getting the very best extra virgin olive oil, our friends at Aguilar estate in Spain know the difference. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During a recent trip to Spain, the Fustini’s team got to witness and experience the difference that quality olives used for olive oil can make. This difference can be seen in taste, flavor, and the health benefits that it carries. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Importance of Freshness</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Freshness is key for any fruit juice,” shared Tim Balshi, part of the Aguilar estate. “Olives are fruit, crushed into a fresh green elixir that is a </span><b>juice</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the only stone fruit in the world to yield oil is the olive. Health benefits come not only from freshness but also from crushing under-ripe fruit, even though extraction yield rates are lower.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fustini’s connects with the Aguilar estate for their rich, flavorful, and high-quality SELECT olive oil, including our <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/picual-select-extra-virgin-olive-oil-spain_2144/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Picual oil.</a> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So how does high-quality oil begin? Balshi shares, “Typically, when the weather is cool in October and November and the land is dry, olives are picked early in the morning, around 8 a.m. until noon. The olives are then quickly delivered to the mill for crushing into extra virgin olive oil. The milling can often continue until midnight, depending on when these small farmers bring olives to our mill. Harvesting olives at peak ripeness varies from plot to plot on each farm, and fruit selection is key to quality. Time is the enemy of green olives, and when a producer wants to keep harvesting, sometimes running late into the night, the mill has to go until the job is done.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This process, along with their impressive resources in the milling process, helps to make Aguilar family farm stand out. They’ve raised the bar of what quality means in the olive oil industry. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love experiencing the first oils of the season in October and monitoring their aromas as they blossom and open up a few weeks after green oil is extracted from the first fruits,” Balshi said. “It's a magical experience of a living fruit juice, unique to just about everything else in the culinary world.” </span></p>
<h3><b>Experience the Fresh Flavor</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discover the fresh flavor from Aguilar family farm yourself by picking up a bottle of our SELECT olive oil when it arrives in February 2024! </span></p>Elevate Your Dessert with Oils & Vinegars2023-09-29T21:14:05+00:002024-03-29T00:05:00+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/elevate-your-dessert-with-oils-vinegars/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you think of using oil and vinegar in cooking, perhaps recipes of marinades, salad dressings, and sautés come to mind. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But did you know you can also enjoy your oils and vinegars in your desserts?! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With their versatile components and pop of flavor, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegars can add a new–and somewhat healthier–take on favorite desserts. Olive oil in particular has become a major player in the ingredient line-up for desserts, and for good reason! </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive Oil in Desserts </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Incorporating oil or butter into cakes, breads, and cookies isn’t a new concept. Oil is that key that keeps baked goods and desserts moist with great texture and delicious flavor. Without it, desserts end up flat, dry, and lacking flavor. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When swapping out that canola oil or vegetable oil that lacks flavor and nutrition, extra virgin olive oil carries with it exciting flavor and added health benefits. Desserts are just one of the many olive oil uses. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive Oil Cake</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In fact, olive oil cake is an easy and delicious dessert that highlights the dynamic flavor of the extra virgin olive oil. This simple base can be upgraded with different fruits or other sweet ingredients to make an easy dessert. Check out </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipe-search/?p=olive+oil+cake"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fustini’s recipe page</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to find inspiration for an olive oil cake–such as sweet</span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/lemon--rosemary-olive-oil-cake"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Almond Pear olive oil cake</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or savory </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/almond-pear-olive-oil-cake"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lemon & Rosemary olive oil cake</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Short on time for whipping up a cake? Fustini’s </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/olive-oil-cake-mix_2584/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive Oil Cake Mix</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> makes baking from scratch super quick and easy. Just add olive oil (such as Blood Orange or Meyer Lemon), milk, and eggs to the mix and you’re on your way to creating a sweet or savory dessert. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out more tips for baking with olive oil in this blog article: </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/your-guide-to-baking-with-evoo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your Guide to Baking with EVOO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive Oil Ice Cream</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to baked olive oil cakes and olive oil cookies, your olive oil dessert can also take a cooler direction. Olive oil ice cream can be an easy and flavorful alternative to store bought pints. While still dairy-based, olive oil ice cream gets its flavor from the flavor-infused olive oil included. For example, this </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/lemon-olive-oil-ice-cream"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lemon Olive Oil Ice Cream</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> recipe utilizes both lemon zest and </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/meyer-lemon_37/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meyer Lemon extra virgin olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. With some creativity–and high-quality olive oil–your dessert possibilities are endless. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Balsamic Vinegar in Desserts </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And speaking of ice cream, balsamic vinegar can also be easily incorporated into your favorite desserts. Check out these easy examples for sweetening up your dessert with healthy balsamic vinegar. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/macerated-berries-over-ice-cream"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Macerated Berries over Ice Cream</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - One of the easiest ways to incorporate balsamic vinegar in your sweet treats is by using macerated berries. Using any balsamic vinegar of your choice, you create a sauce by letting berries sit with the balsamic and sugar for about 30 minutes. Then, you’ll have a sweet sauce perfect for ice cream, cakes, breads, and more!</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/balsamic-berries-with-honeyed-greet-yogurt"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Balsamic Berries with Honeyed Greek Yogurt </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">- This simple and easy recipe includes just a few ingredients but can be the perfect healthy sweet treat any time of day! </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/caramelized-baked-apples-with-walnut-filling"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caramelized Baked Apples with Walnut Filling</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - Elevate the sweetness of the walnut filling with </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/cinnamon-pear-dark_132/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cinnamon Pear balsamic vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in these simple fall treats. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using Balsamic Vinegar AND Olive Oil In Desserts </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s better than having balsamic vinegar in your dessert? Having BOTH vinegar and olive oil in the same dessert. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This powerful combination isn’t just for salad dressings and marinades. You can also elevate your desserts with both vinegar and oil, too! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This duo comes in handy in particular with pies, crumbles, and more. For example, this </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/apple-crumble-with-maple-ice-cream"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apple Crumble with Maple Ice Cream</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> features </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/maple-dark_205/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maple</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and</span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/michigan-apple-white_455/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Michigan Apple balsamics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in both the ice cream and filling, incorporating </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/meyer-lemon_37/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meyer Lemon olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in the crust. With all these flavor-infused ingredients, the end result is a pop of flavor in each sweet bite. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/apple-pound-cake-with-caramel-pecan-topping"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apple Pound Cake</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> includes the versatile and flavor-packed </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/butter_209/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butter olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in the cake mix with an added pop of sweetness in the caramel topping, thanks to the </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/michigan-apple-white_455/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michigan Apple balsamic vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or, cool it down a bit with this tropical </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/coconut-lime-sorbet"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coconut Lime Sorbet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, using both </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/oils/infused-extra-virgin-olive-oils/persian-lime/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Persian Lime olive oil </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/vinegars/balsamic-vinegars/coconut/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Coconut balsamic vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/category/desserts/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fustini’s recipe page</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for more inspiration and ideas to whip up! </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elevate Your Desserts with Oil & Vinegar </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The versatility of olive oil and vinegar makes them perfect ingredients for your desserts. Whether sweet or savory, these flavor-infused options can help you add flavor in new–and perhaps healthier–ways. Shop online or stop in one of our four store locations to discover sweet and savory flavors for yourself! </span></p>The Making of Olive Oil2023-09-28T23:13:32+00:002024-03-27T19:41:17+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/the-making-of-olive-oil/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lining the supermarket shelves in the baking aisle, you’ll find things like canola oil, peanut oil, and vegetable oil. With so many options, you may wonder, “what’s the difference?” Yet what’s often missing from grocery store shelves is a level of the highest quality olive oil, extra virgin olive oil. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here at Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars, we’re pretty passionate about the difference extra virgin olive oil can make for both your health and tastebuds! But why is this olive oil so unique and special? It’s all about where it comes from and how it’s made. Here, we’ll share about the origins of this oil like no other, different types, and why the title of ‘extra virgin’ olive oil is so important. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Roots of Olive Oil </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil has long been associated closely with Mediterranean cuisine. In fact, historians focus on the Middle East area as the origin of olive oil. This shouldn’t be a surprise as we think of what foods and ingredients are most often associated with olive oil. Olive oil became an interest in surrounding areas over the centuries and different processes arose to get the quality oil out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In ancient times,</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996914003494"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> it was called “liquid gold”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as it was used for much more than cooking. It was also used in perfumes, preparing deceased bodies, soaps, and much more–including for both health and cosmetics. With its numerous health benefits, we’re not surprised! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today, many countries around the world produce extra virgin olive oil. Fustini’s partners with producers either in the northern or southern hemisphere, depending on the time of year. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Is Olive Oil Made? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil is made through a process called extraction. This thorough process includes harvesting and crushing the olives into a paste. It is then put into a centrifuge to separate the oil from the rest of the oil residue. The oil is then again filtered and is ready to share! Throughout the process of creating extra virgin olive oil, no chemicals or heat are used. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Does “Extra Virgin” Olive Oil Mean? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The description of “extra virgin” with olive oil is a key distinguisher when it comes to the quality and integrity of the olives used in the pressing of oil. “Extra virgin” can also be known as “cold press” or “first press.” Simply put, extra virgin olive oil is oil that is extracted during the very first pressing of olives from the harvest. This ensures that there are no defects, meaning there’s no over-exposure to the sun, sitting in the ground too long, bugs, and that they are properly handled during the harvest/milling/decanting process. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes Fustini’s extra virgin olive oil different from the kind you find in clear bottles on store shelves? Fustini’s works closely with suppliers to create relationships that ensure we offer the highest quality and freshest olive oil. In fact, the bottles of “extra virgin olive oil” you find on grocery store shelves usually are 100% EVOO as they lack flavor and health benefits. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Types of Olive Oil </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While extra virgin olive oil has the highest quality, there are other types of olive oil in the process as well. </span></p>
<p><b>Virgin Olive Oil </b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This unrefined process is similar to that of extra virgin olive oil as it is the first press, but the process uses heat or chemicals to extract the oil. It therefore does not retain as much of the quality as extra virgin olive oil. </span></p>
<p><b>Refined Olive Oil </b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Virgin or light olive oil is created when the leftover olive paste from the first press is heated and kneaded again with additional chemicals to be able to extract more oil. These chemicals are needed to improve the flavor. This type of oil does not have the same level of quality or flavor as extra virgin olive oil. It’s used as a way for the “old harvest” olive oils to still be able to be sold to customers who are not familiar with what high-quality olive oil should be. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Know the Difference in Oils </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Extra virgin olive oil has its quality reputation for a reason. With maximum health benefits and flavor, this oil is above the rest. At Fustini’s, you can explore both SELECT single varietal non-flavored oils and flavor-infused oils for all your cooking and meal prep. </span></p>Health Benefits of Cooking with Oils & Vinegars2023-09-28T16:23:56+00:002024-03-27T10:52:44+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/health-benefits-of-cooking-with-oils-vinegars/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are a lot of things you can do to support your health. Staying active. Managing stress. Not smoking. And of course, eating well. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And when you incorporate olive oil and balsamic vinegars into lifestyle, eating well becomes easier–and delicious! Cooking with olive oil and vinegar brings important health benefits that can help you enjoy healthy and flavorful foods. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why is Olive Oil Healthy? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, is praised as a great source of healthy fats. It’s a core component in Mediterranean diets but can be incorporated into any cuisine. </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-makes-evoo-evoo-what-you-should-know-about-an-oil-unlike-any-other/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Extra virgin olive oil is graded at the top</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, free from processed chemicals. It is not processed or refined so all the color, taste, vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants it provides remain intact from the olive to your dinner plate. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil has numerous health benefits for your head to your toes. These exciting benefits include: </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/got-arthritis-try-evoo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alleviating symptoms of arthritis </span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supporting your heart with monounsaturated fats and antioxidants</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Improving skin</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">And many more! Check them out in </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">this blog article</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond just these health benefits, extra virgin olive oil also has a remarkably better flavor than the vegetable oil found in aisle two. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What are the Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similar to extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars also pack in a punch of health benefits, too. Balsamic vinegar is unique in that it sits towards the top of highest quality vinegars. Balsamic vinegar and Fustini’s contains no added sweeteners, thickeners, or colorings. Instead, it’s powered by all-natural flavorings and fruit purees. Check out this blog article to learn more about how balsamic vinegar is made: </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-sets-balsamic-vinegar-apart-here-s-what-you-should-know/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Sets Balsamic Vinegar Apart? Here’s What You Should Know</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to pure ingredients and a delightful flavor, balsamic vinegar also shares numerous health benefits that are worth celebrating. These health benefits include: </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Assist in digestion</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enhance your skin</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Manage a healthy weight</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Improve circulation </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stabilize blood sugar </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">And more! Check out our blog article: </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/7-ways-to-boost-your-health-with-balsamic-vinegar/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">7 Ways to Boost Your Health With Balsamic Vinegar</span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even non-balsamic vinegars such as </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-s-the-deal-with-apple-cider-vinegar-six-reasons-you-should-try-it/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apple Cider Vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have health benefits you won’t want to miss out on. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From both flavor and health benefits, balsamic vinegar is a sure-fire win! But what happens when you combine health-boosting balsamic vinegar with heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil? </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How does Cooking with Oil & Vinegar Benefit Overall Health? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you combine two delicious and healthy ingredients, the results can be wonderful–and tasty! By incorporating healthy ingredients, such as oil and vinegar into your diet, you can help promote your overall health. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are following a specific diet plan, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar generally fall in line with those requirements. For example, many </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/how-to-add-evoo-and-vinegar-to-your-keto-diet/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">keto-friendly recipes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> embrace the health fats of olive oil and are able to factor in the sweet pop of vinegar. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For those who are </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/gluten-free-enjoy-your-evoo-and-balsamic/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">gluten-free</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, oils and vinegars from </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/is-balsamic-gluten-free-and-some-other-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fustini’s contain no gluten</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">! You can embrace these flavor-packed ingredients without worrying about excess chemicals. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vegetarian or vegan? Fustini’s olive oil and balsamic vinegar fit right into your plan. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to particular diets, using olive oil and vinegar can also encourage and empower you to choose healthier options for your meal times. Making a vinaigrette from olive oil and vinegar can be a quick and easy way to dress up your salad and bring a lot of flavor to each bite. They can also be used to swap out less-healthy ingredients. For example, in baking, you can substitute olive oil for melted butter in a recipe. </span></p>Unexpected Culinary Uses for Gourmet Olive Oil & Vinegars2023-09-08T12:52:29+00:002024-03-23T06:43:27+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/unexpected-culinary-uses-for-gourmet-olive-oil-vinegars/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you hear “olive oil & vinegar”, what comes to mind? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are certainly some dishes that are often closely associated with these gourmet ingredients. Perhaps the Mediterranean cuisine pops in. A vinaigrette. A bread dipping combination to accompany a meal. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But while our typical go-to uses for olive oil and vinegar can be quite exciting, those dishes are often just the start of the many wonderful things that you can make with these two powerhouse ingredients. Here we explore both those savored favorite uses of olive oil and vinegar, as well as unexpected uses that you can try today. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Common Uses for Gourmet Olive Oil & Vinegar </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since olive oil and balsamic vinegar are both very versatile and healthy ingredients, there are so many ways you can savor the flavors in your dishes. There are some dishes that are perhaps more well-known uses for these gourmet ingredients. And for good reason! Chances are, you’ve probably used olive oil and vinegar in dishes like: </span></p>
<h3><b>Homemade Healthy Salad Dressings</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Making a vinaigrette with these two flavor-packed ingredients can be one of the easiest–and most entertaining–ways to use olive oil and vinegar. This is a great way to control the amount of added sugar and salt in your dressing; you don’t need to add them at all! You can easily make your own olive oil and vinegar dressing using just two ingredients. To make a simple salad dressing, all you need to do is combine a complementary pairing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a ratio of three parts oil to one part balsamic. You can adjust that ratio based on your taste preferences. Shake and pour over your salad just before serving. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out the </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/category/salads/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">salad section of our recipe page</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to find a dressing perfect for your salad. And, to make salad dressings even easier, check out our </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/a-dressing-jar-gift-set_2360/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salad Dressing Jar Kit</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/recipes/caribbean_chicken_salad.png" width="300"/></span></p>
<h3><b>Bread Dipping</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may find it at Italian restaurants as an appetizer before the main course arrives. Warm bread slices and a plate of oil, balsamic, and spices makes for a flavor-packed starter–or snack for any time of day! While there are so many balsamic vinegars and olive oils that work so well for bread dipping, some of our favorites include </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/tuscan-herb_128/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tuscan Herb olive oil </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/18-year-traditional-balsamic-dark_5/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">18 Year balsamic vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or any </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/picual-select-extra-virgin-olive-oil-spain_2144/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SELECT olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/herbs-of-naples-dark_291/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Herbs of Naples balsamic vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<h3><b>Marinades</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How do you make your grilled steak or sautéed chicken taste so juicy and flavorful? A marinade! Using olive oil and balsamic vinegar, you can create a marinade that makes your meat more tender and flavorful. These marinades are full of flavor so you can massage it into your protein instead of drowning it like you need to with other store-bought products. Typically, you can start with a ratio of three parts oil to one part balsamic for a marinade. Check out the </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/category/meat-and-poultry/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">meat and poultry section of our recipe page </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">to discover a marinade perfect for your meat of choice. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to these, you can also use olive oil and vinegar in many other dishes, including: </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Toss olive oil with vegetables before roasting. </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brush olive oil on bread slices for bruschetta. </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sauté vegetables in olive oil and then drizzle with a balsamic at the end. </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are just the beginning of the many many ways to enjoy extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. While these may be the most common ways to use these flavor-packed ingredients, they certainly aren’t the only ways. Next, we’ll share some unexpected ways to enjoy gourmet olive oil and vinegar. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unexpected Culinary Uses for Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With such versatility, olive oil and balsamic vinegar can be used in so many delicious dishes. Marinades, salad dressings, and bread dipping is just the start. Here are some perhaps surprising ways you can incorporate these healthy ingredients into your cooking. </span></p>
<h3><b>Drinks & Cocktails</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cheers! We love the opportunity to infuse that rich balsamic flavor in beverages! With a fruity balsamic like </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/west-michigan-blueberry-white_405/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">West Michigan Blueberry</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/cranberry-white_183/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cranberry Pear</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can add that fresh flavor without all the added sugars. Try recipes like this </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/balsamic-lemonade"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Balsamic Lemonade</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which uses Sicilian Lemon balsamic vinegar. Try it in both cocktails and mocktails for your get-togethers! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img alt="" height="415" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/recipes/balsamic_lemonade.png" width="299"/></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plus, have you ever tried a “shrub”? No, not the outdoor greenery but the vinegar-inspired beverage. Check out </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/get-your-shrub-on/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">this blog article</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to learn all about it. </span></p>
<h3><b>Top Off Yogurt</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add an extra pop of flavor by drizzling a fruity balsamic in your yogurt. “No sugar added” yogurt never tasted so good! Take it a step further and drizzle that bowl of ice cream with the sweet pop of balsamic vinegar. </span></p>
<h3><b>Get Baking!</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil can be a great and healthy alternative to include in cakes and other baked goods. This </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/apple-pound-cake-with-caramel-pecan-topping"><span style="font-weight: 400;">apple pound cake</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> replaces butter with </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/butter_209/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butter olive oil,</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> making it just a bit healthier, too! Check out</span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/your-guide-to-baking-with-evoo/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> this blog article</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to learn more about baking with olive oil. </span></p>
<h3><b>Zest Up Cream Soups</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your creamy soup is feeling a bit one-dimensional, add in a drizzle of flavor-infused olive oil to give it a bit of pep. This </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/broccoli-cheddar-soup"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Broccoli Cheddar soup</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> recipe includes </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/herbs-de-provence_166/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Herbs de Provence </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil to start the soup on a flavorful note. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img alt="" height="390" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/recipes/broccoli_cheddar_soup.png" width="293"/></span></p>
<h3><b>Pizza</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are some exciting ways to use both olive oil and balsamic vinegar in your pizza night creations. With the help of <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/quick-rise-pizza-dough-mix_2468/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Fustini’s Pizza mix</a>, you can whip up a dough really quick using a flavorful olive oil. Then, after you add your toppings and bake (or grill!) the pizza, drizzle a dark balsamic like </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/18-year-traditional-balsamic-dark_5/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">18 Year balsamic vinegar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for an additional flavor pop. This works great especially with Italian-inspired pizzas with ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. You can even use our own </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/marinara-sauce_2662/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marinara sauce</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that has Fustini’s Arbequina SELECT olive oil! </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discover Exciting Uses for Olive Oil & Vinegar </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are such versatile and recipe-friendly ingredients that will have you wanting to use them in everything you make! While marinades and salad dressings are always good, there is so much more these powerful ingredients have to offer. So pick up your favorite bottles and get cooking! Check out our recipe page for access to so many great recipes. We can’t wait to see what you make! </span></p>The Best Olive Oil & Food Pairings2023-09-06T10:32:06+00:002024-03-29T02:12:24+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/the-best-olive-oil-food-pairings/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fresh, flavorful </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">extra virgin olive oil </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">is delicious. Food of all kinds–apps, main dishes, desserts–is delicious. So what happens when you combine these two delicious things together? The flavor can be amazing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That healthy and flavorful food is what we’re all about here at Fustini’s. While we get so excited when you try and love a </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">flavor-infused oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, it’s our mission to equip you to use that </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in your meal preparation and entertaining. Food and olive oil, olive oil and food–they just go together. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what olive oils and ingredients go well together? While there’s an</span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for just about any kind of food or recipe, there are some flavors that make a better match than others. Here, we explore what makes a delicious food pairing and some inspiration to get you started. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What Makes a Good Oil and Food Pairing? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s a reason why peanut butter and jelly have been a classic combination. Why we eat salsa with chips instead of a slice of bread. Why tomato sauce combines tomato and basil flavors. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to combining foods or flavors, it actually comes down to our nose, rather than our taste buds. In fact, </span><a href="https://www.foodpairing.com/the-science-behind-great-ingredient-pairings/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">80% of what we perceive as flavor</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> actually is determined by our sense of smell rather than our sense of taste. There’s a whole science behind why some ingredients are better together than others, but it all comes down to aromatic components.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, congruent food pairings are those that share similar flavors or aromas. This can be a great tactic to create a harmonious and flavorful meal. This is like when you pair a spicy dish with a fruity flavor. On the other hand, complementary food pairings are those where the combination includes flavors or aromas that are contrasting or opposite. This tactic is used to create a more dynamic yet balanced dish. Think spicy & sweet, creamy & acidic, salty & sweet. This can be an exciting way to add layers to a pairing and create a flavor profile perhaps unexpected.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While these tactics for pairings most often relate to different ingredients or a type of wine and a dish, it can also be helpful when considering what </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oils</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> pair well with what dishes. With these pairings, the same principles apply. Create a harmonious dish with a fruity oil with a sweet dessert. Or a savory flavor-infused oil with a savory pasta dish. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Top Picks for Olive Oil and Food Pairings </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With so many ingredients to enjoy and flavor-infused olive oils to try, the pairing possibilities are endless. That variety can be such an exciting thing as you explore new flavors, try out different dishes, and find your favorites. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To help inspire you in the kitchen, here we share some of our favorite olive oil and food pairings. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">SELECT Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pairings</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While we love our flavor-infused oils, did you know that olive oil on its own brings a vibrant and versatile flavor that pairs well with certain types of dishes, too. Here we break down some favorite pairings based on the level of extra virgin olive oil. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/delicate_8/"><b>Delicate</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/delicate_8/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">These oils</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are floral and fresh that have a light flavor, making it super versatile. </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/delicate_8/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">These oils</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are often best paired with foods and dishes that don’t require significant flavor enhancements. Things like fish, mild salads, mild cheese, eggs, and seafood work really well with delicate olive oils. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/medium_28/"><b>Medium</b></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With a little extra boost of flavor, </span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/medium_28/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">medium oils</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are more herbal and have a black pepper finish. These oils pair well with dishes that could use a subtle yet bolder flavor in dishes. Things like fish, eggs, pasta, vegetables, salads, and much more work great with medium oils. Medium oils can also be ideal for bread dipping with balsamic vinegar and herbs. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/robust_10/"><b>Robust</b></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With a much bolder flavor,</span><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils/extra-virgin-olive-oils/robust_10/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> robust oils</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are ideal for dishes that can really benefit from a boost in flavor. They’re also a great fit for foods that don’t get lost in adding the more intense characteristics of a robust olive oil. These oils are well-balanced with flavor components that are herbal, spicy-green, and dominated by mint and cinnamon. Dishes that are especially delicious with these oils include beef, lamb, in marinades, stew, pasta sauces and bold cheeses.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Flavor-Infused </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to SELECT oils, you can also pair flavor-infused olive oils to amplify the flavor of your dishes. While the possibilities are endless, here are a few highlights to get started: </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/basil-crush-olive-oil_2465/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Basil Crush olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - savory and herbal dishes, pastas, pizzas–particularly Italian. Check out dishes like - </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/basil-vegetable-strata"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Basil Vegetable Strata</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/blt-pasta-salad"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BLT Pasta Salad</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/bruschetta-chicken-pasta"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bruschetta Chicken Pasta </span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/oils/infused-extra-virgin-olive-oils/chipotle/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chipotle olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - delicious way to amp up the heat in a dish or to balance out sweetness. Check out recipes like - </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/adobo-pork-tenderloin-sliders"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adobe Pork Sliders</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/chicken-taquitos-with-avocado-cream-sauce"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chicken Taquitos</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/cinnamon-chipotle-roasted-almonds"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cinnamon Chipotle Roasted Almonds</span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/tag/meyer-lemon-olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meyer Lemon olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - this versatile oil pairs super well with everything from pastas to baked goods. Use it to add a pop of bright flavor to dishes like: </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/apple-crumble-with-maple-ice-cream"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apple Crumble</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/bruschetta-di-pomodori"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bruschetta di Pomodori</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/honey-mustard-sheet-pan-chicken"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken </span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/garlic_86/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garlic olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - use this versatile oil to add a pop of fresh garlic flavor to any savory dish. Check out recipes like: </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/caprese-stuffed-chicken-1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caprese Stuffed Chicken</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/cheesy-garlic-pull-apart-bread"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/garlic-alfredo-tortellini"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garlic Alfredo Tortellini </span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/persian-lime_90/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Persian Lime olive oil </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">- bright and tropical, this oil pairs well with marinades, vinaigrettes, and more. </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/basillime-salad-dressing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Basil Lime salad dressing</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/cilantro-lime-chicken-wings"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings</span></a></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/hawaiian-chicken-skewers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hawaiian Chicken Skewers</span></a></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elevate the Flavor with Balsamic Vinegar</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil and food pairings equip you to try out fun flavors and explore ingredients. But did you know you can also elevate flavors by incorporating balsamic vinegars as well?! Explore our balsamic vinegars to kick your pairings up a notch, too. </span></p>Go Virtual With Your Tasting: Five Things to Know About This New Fustini’s Experience2020-09-08T21:44:03+00:002024-03-27T15:04:09+00:00Ellie Wilsonhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/Elliewalburg/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/go-virtual-with-your-tasting-six-things-to-know-about-this-new-fustinis-experience/<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like any new flavor of pairing, the best way to know if you like something is to taste it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Introduce a virtual olive oil tasting experience. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Going Virtual with Your Own Tasting Kit: 5 Things to Know </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These “Virtual Tasting Kits” invite you to try out our recently launched First Harvest SELECT olive oils. Ready to give it a try? Here we share five things you can expect from your very own virtual tasting experience with Fustini’s. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">1. Learn the Significance of Single Varietal Oils </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to olive oils, not all are pressed equally. In this virtual tasting session, you’ll learn a little bit about what makes these three single varietal oils so special and unique. Not only is this oil rare coming from the southern hemisphere, but it also has a level of freshness that elevates its nutritional value and flavor. We even worked with an EVOO expert, Paul Vossen, to ensure the products selected are of the utmost quality for the best possible experience for our customers. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">2. Choose to Sample on Your Own Time </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve got your schedule. Find a virtual tasting time that works best for you. In your tasting kit, you’ll receive a list of dates and times you can register to schedule your virtual tasting with your new SELECT olive oils. Setting this time up ahead of time ensures you’ll be able to connect with a trained Fustini’s staff member to share about these oils and to taste with you. These virtual tastings are conducted via Zoom so you can connect through both audio and video capabilities. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. Taste the “Official” Way </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These varieties bring their own unique and complex flavor profiles. To get the most out of understanding and appreciating the flavor of the SELECT oil, we recommend a particular way to taste the oil. Never tried it before? Our Fustini’s staff member is more than willing to walk you through the recommended tasting technique, which involves letting the oil sit on your tongue for a second to be able to get the full flavor experience. After this virtual tasting, you’ll be sampling oils like a professional. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/blog/Blog%20-%20Virtual%20Tasting/blog-olivetree.png"/></span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. Partner with Our Supportive Team of Staff </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Through this virtual tasting experience, you’ll get to partner with a Fustini’s staff member who is eager to connect and answer your questions about these unique and versatile SELECT EVOOs. Within our virtual conferencing capabilities, you’ll be able to ask questions, share comments and connect with this Fustini’s family that’s passionate about equipping you to stay safe and eat well. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">5. Share Your Feedback </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Surveys and emails can only do so much. With this virtual tasting, we’re so excited to be able to hear your thoughts and feedback about these new SELECT oil varieties. We want to hear from you - which one was your favorite, how do you see yourself using it in your everyday life and what flavor notes are you able to pick up. Regardless of which product you’re sampling, we believe these conversations and comments make a big difference in our future selections in providing our customers the flavors and varieties that matter to them. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Go Virtual With Your Tasting </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our tasting rooms may have limits, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t enjoy the experience of tasting these new SELECT EVOO that we’re so excited to share with you. Through innovative technology and virtual connection, these virtual tasting experiences invite you to join with us in growing in your understanding of the value of high quality extra virgin olive oils and how they empower you to eat well. </span></p>What is SELECT Fresh Crush? Six Things You Should Know2020-04-13T16:27:50+00:002024-03-29T07:21:02+00:00Raddhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/sthompson/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-is-fresh-crush-six-things-you-should-know/<p> Whether it’s a slice of baguette, a stalk of celery or a box of opened cereal, freshness is a key quality to enjoying food.</p>
<p>The same is true when savoring Extra Virgin Olive Oil.</p>
<p>You may have heard of oil characteristics like single varietal or mono cultivar. This means that the olive oil is pressed from just one oil variety. It upholds the utmost flavor integrity and has a unique profile based on the olive used.</p>
<p>Flavor and overall quality also come from how recent the olive oil was pressed, or crushed. Like different fruits and vegetables come in during different seasons, olives from different parts of the world are also brought in throughout the year. At Fustini’s, that distinction comes in oil from olives from the Northern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere.</p>
<p>Once those olives are crushed to make that pure and wholesome oil, the shelflife clock of freshness begins.</p>
<p>This is why choosing harvests from specific regions at specific times of the year is so essential to providing customers a quality product they know is of the utmost freshness.</p>
<p>With the recent launch of Fustini's SELECT olive oils, here we share some things to know about olive harvests.</p>
<h5>1. Fresh crush doesn’t sit in a warehouse</h5>
<p>To maximize that oil freshness, Fustini’s is intentional about moving that extra virgin olive oil right from its source in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere into stores and kitchens. With freshness that good, there’s no time to be waiting around.</p>
<h5>2. Different olives produce different flavored oils</h5>
<p>Like varieties of apples have their own unique taste, so do olives when pressed. The flavor is different, even subtly, depending on which olive variety you select. While there is a whole range of flavor profiles you can detect in olive oil, the three most prominent characteristics include fruitiness, grassy-ness and creamy-ness. A specific variety will have it’s unique combination of these three characteristics. You can learn more about terms to describe your olive oil in <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/fustinis-blog-1/speaking-evoo-18-oil-words-to-know">this blog article</a>.</p>
<h5>3. Our Early Harvest Fresh Crush was "SELECT"ed in Spain</h5>
<p>During the trip to Spain in October 2019, the team saw the harvest of olives that would soon turn into olive oil sold in their stores. This early harvest comprised olives that were bright green and just on the brink of turning ripe. The bright color is also seen in the resulting oil. While this ‘early harvest’ has the lowest yield of oil in the milling, the final product is the highest quality oil you can find.</p>
<h5>4. Flavor profiles come from a top EVOO leader in the world</h5>
<p>When it comes to developing a flavor profile for our SELECT olive oils, we turn to the experts. <a href="http://www.paulvossen.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Paul Vossen</a> is a leading influencer in distinguishing quality olive oils and other agricultural products. With over 30 years of experience, he’s established himself as a professional in evaluating oil quality and communicating that importance.</p>
<h5>5. No crush is the same</h5>
<p>Beyond the variance in flavor profiles of different olives, each crush of a particular harvest may also have subtle differences as well. Since each crush comes from a different harvest, despite being the same variety, it may still have an exact flavor that’s all its own. It’s just like how a vintage glass of wine from one year will have a subtle yet noticeable difference from the same wine but of a year previous.</p>
<h5>6. Fustini’s is from the top 1%</h5>
<p>With a focus on quality, Fustini’s SELECT fresh crush only accepts the very best. Guidelines for olive oil varieties are set at a high standard, putting it in the top 1% of quality olive oil. Fustini’s oils are often at just 0.1% - 0.3% acidity, giving it a rich and smooth flavor profile at maximum quality.</p>
<p>Like any natural and wholesome ingredient, olive oil tastes better when it’s freshest. With Fustini’s commitment to freshness in their new SELECT varieties, chefs, foodies and EVOO lovers can cook and bake with confidence knowing the oil they drizzle on or pour in brings the flavor, quality and richness they want.</p>Gluten-Free? Enjoy Your EVOO and Balsamic2020-02-23T16:46:36+00:002024-03-28T02:52:23+00:00Raddhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/sthompson/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/gluten-free-enjoy-your-evoo-and-balsamic/<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/gluten_free_1.jpg"/></p>
<p>Walk along the aisles of a grocery store and you’ll see product labels with phrases like “sugar-free,” “fat-free” and “low-sodium,” the world of food communication has developed its own lingo.</p>
<p>Among these popular diet trends and eating styles, the practice of gluten-free eating has taken hold of many grocery lists. Whether by necessity or by preference, gluten-free products and labeling have soared in demand from grocery stores to specialty food shops.</p>
<p>For those who may not have adapted to the lifestyle, or are interested in exploring the benefits of these habits, gluten-free can mean different things to different people. Some are strict in their exposure to all kinds of grains, especially those with celiac disease. Some may have more flexibility in what they allow themselves to eat.</p>
<p>To help you explore how you can utilize your EVOO and balsamic vinegar into your gluten-free cooking, here we share what gluten-free means and great ways to amp up your cooking.</p>
<h5>What Does Gluten-Free Mean?</h5>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/gluten_free_2.jpg"/></p>
<p>Gluten-free. It’s a term we hear often. Gluten is the protein ingredient that gives breads and other grain products its elasticity. It is responsible for the food’s texture, shape and overall presentation. Things like wheat, barley and rye are some of the most often heard ingredients that contain gluten. Remember that some not all grains contain gluten, including oats, quinoa and brown rice.</p>
<p>So a food label with “gluten-free” means that it doesn’t really contain gluten. According to the FDA rules, for a food to be labeled as “gluten-free,” it must contain no more than 20 parts per million of this gluten protein. Some foods may be gluten-free without actually be having the FDA label.</p>
<p>There are some foods that require no research into whether or not it’s gluten-free. Foods like fruits and fresh vegetables naturally don’t contain gluten. Others, like gluten-free breads or pastas, are produced to remove gluten in the manufacturing process. These two different approaches to freedom from gluten have different health benefits - especially as fruits and vegetables tend to be higher in nutritional value.</p>
<p>And with Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars, you can get a delightful flavor, free from gluten and high in nutritional value.</p>
<h5>Gluten-Free and Fustini’s</h5>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/gluten_free_3.jpg"/></p>
<p>If you’re on a gluten-free diet by necessity or by choice, you can still incorporate wholesome, flavorful and nutritious olive oil and balsamics into all your cooking and baking.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/#glutenfree">Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars</a> incorporate flavorful fruits and robust herbs naturally. That means they don’t start or end with any grain products in them. Non-infused products like three aged balsamic vinegars or 11 single varietal EVOOs also don’t contain any gluten naturally or from production.</p>
<p>If you’ve ever struggled to find the right ingredients that you’re allowed to incorporate into your diet - whether out of necessity or choice - this freedom is great news. When you’re surrounded by limitations, EVOO and balsamic offer you freedom and opportunity.</p>
<p>Looking for ways and great recipes to try out as you explore the world of gluten-free cooking? Here are some fun and healthy ideas to get you started:</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/gluten_free_4.jpg"/></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/braised-apple-cabbage">Braised Apple Cabbage</a> - mix up your classic cabbage salad by incorporating the fresh and fun flavors by using <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/category/extra-virgin-olive-oil/feeds/atom/www.fustinis.com/vinegars/balsamic-vinegars/cinnamon-pear/">Cinnamon Pear</a> and <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/category/extra-virgin-olive-oil/feeds/atom/www.fustinis.com/vinegars/balsamic-vinegars/red-apple/">Red Apple</a> balsamics.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/marinated-squash">Marinated Squash</a> - amp up boring zucchini and yellow squash with this flavor-packed recipe to grill or cook up your fresh veggies, completely gluten-free.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/grilled-salmon-1">Grilled Salmon</a> - flavor your protein just how you like it with easy flavors like <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/cilantro-onion_152/">Cilantro & Onion</a> and <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/chipotle_98/">Chipotle</a>.</p>
<h5>Keep the Flavor, Lose the Gluten</h5>
<p>As someone navigating eating gluten-free, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice satisfying and delicious flavor for your health. With easy ways to incorporate flavor-infused EVOO and balsamic vinegars, you can have the best of both worlds. Living without gluten can actually be a tasty and delightful way to eat.</p>Your Guide to Baking with Olive Oil2020-02-16T14:57:21+00:002024-03-28T19:24:20+00:00Raddhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/sthompson/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/your-guide-to-baking-with-evoo/<p>Coconut flour. Chia seeds. Prune puree. Today’s art of baking has begun to incorporate much more than the simple ingredients of flour, butter and eggs.</p>
<p>With popular health crazes of Whole 30, gluten-free or vegan, rookie and seasoned bakers have discovered new and innovative ingredients to substitute for healthier alternatives. Whether you venture into these new trends out of curiosity or necessity, your creative solutions are endless.</p>
<p><em><strong>Including flavorful and fruity extra virgin olive oil.</strong></em></p>
<p>That bottle of extra virgin olive oil sitting on your pantry shelf can revolutionize your favorite baked treat. While often thought of for salad dressings, marinades and sautéing, your EVOO can also be used as a valuable alternative to butter or other fat in your baked recipes.</p>
<p>Sound too good to be true? Here we share some key insights and tips you can use as you explore the fun of baking with extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<h5>How Does Baking with EVOO Work?</h5>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/baking_2.jpg"/></p>
<p>In the art of baking, ingredients with different properties are needed in order to turn a bowl of dough into a delicious, light and flavorful bread, cake, cookie or anything else you throw in the oven.</p>
<p>Fat, often through butter or oil, works to tenderize, moisten and allow heat to move through the batter or dough to ensure proper baking. EVOO can easily be substituted for butter in several recipes - in everything from breads to cookies to brownies to pies.</p>
<p><strong>But using extra virgin olive oil in a recipe that calls for butter isn’t quite an equal comparison. When a recipe calls for butter, you’ll want to use ¾ of that amount.</strong> For example, if the recipe needs six ounces of butter, use just four ounces of extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<p>Why isn’t it an even swap? Olive oil is 100% while butter is only 80% fat. If you’re swapping regular canola or vegetable oil for extra virgin olive oil, it will be an even substitute.</p>
<h5>Quick Tips For Substituting</h5>
<p>While this ¾ substitute works for most recipes, there may be times where a little trial and error are required. Usually, if the butter in the recipe is to be melted, the ¾ substitute is just fine. This is also the case if the butter (oil) is creamed with sugar but additional liquid is added in later.</p>
<p>However, when making cookies especially, you may need to use even less oil than that ¾ substitute due to the texture of the dough.</p>
<p>There are select times in which an EVOO may not be the best substitute to use. For recipes that require the butter to stay as a solid to accomplish the right texture, such as in making a frosting, using a liquid oil may prove challenging.</p>
<h5>Why Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil?</h5>
<p>The value of incorporating extra virgin olive oil as a substitute in your baking is mainly twofold. First, you can enhance the overall flavor profile of your recipe, depending on the variety of olive oil you use. Using <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/blood-orange_78/">Blood Orange olive oil </a>amps up the citrus profile of a quick bread recipe. Adding in <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/butter_209/">Butter olive oil</a> as a substitute maintains that rich, buttery flavor in your pie crusts. Even a non-flavored single varietal olive oil carries a unique flavor profile that deepens the complexity of your dish. Because the flavor can be so accentuated in baked goods, it’s important to use high-quality extra virgin olive oil, such as those found at Fustini’s.</p>
<p>A second reason for using extra virgin olive oil in your baked treats is the <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best/">health benefits</a> that come along. Olive oil has no shortage of benefits for your health and wellness. This monounsaturated fat helps keep your cholesterol in check as well as offering a host of antioxidants that are essential for healthy living. Incorporating a more monounsaturated or polyunsaturated source of fat - rather than just saturated fats. Compared to vegetable oils, EVOO is free from chemicals and other impurities that compromise both the nutrients and flavor of the ingredient.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/baking_3.jpg"/></p>
<h5>Great Olive Oils to Get Started With</h5>
<p>With so much you can do with extra virgin olive oil, you may be wondering where to get started. To help, here are a few olive oils that do really well in baking.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/blood-orange_78/">Blood Orange</a> - This bright and light citrus flavor pairs very well in baked goods, especially when combined with chocolate.</p>
<ul>
<li>Substitute in brownie mix instead of vegetable oil</li>
<li>Elevate the citrus flavor in fruity muffins</li>
<li>Amp up your pie crusts with a new ingredient</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/butter_209/">Butter</a> - Get the flavor you love but in a healthier alternative full of antioxidants.</p>
<ul>
<li>Perfect for bread recipes that call for melted butter</li>
<li>Use in pie crusts to substitute that rich, smooth flavor</li>
</ul>
<p>Single Varietal - Elevate the flavors of your baked treat with a versatile oil.</p>
<ul>
<li>Add in <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/arbequina-select-extra-virgin-olive-oil-spain_2120/">Arbequina</a> into <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/recipes-nav/recipes/focaccia">this</a> savory focaccia bread</li>
<li>Use your favorite non-flavored oil in your next loaf of wheat bread</li>
</ul>
<h5>Get To Baking With Extra Virgin Olive Oil</h5>
<p>The options for substitutions in baking recipes are seemingly endless. Swap in a delightful ingredient that both amplifies your flavors and is great for your health. So preheat the oven, take out your baking sheet and try a new or favorite recipe today.</p>Get Organized: How to Store Your Speciality Ingredients2020-01-09T15:26:14+00:002024-03-28T21:43:33+00:00Raddhttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/sthompson/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/get-organized-how-to-best-store-your-favorite-speciality-ingredients/<p>How organized is your kitchen? </p>
<p>From shoving things in drawers to color-coding to proper placement with labels, there are many approaches you can take in organizing your pantry. Whether it’s a few shelves or a walk-in storage room, your pantry and other kitchen cabinets can get you easy and quick access to the ingredients you need most.</p>
<p>For some of these specialty food items you may keep in your pantry or cabinets, certain storage conditions help to make the ingredients last longer and prevent unfortunate food spoils.</p>
<p>To help you make the most of your pantry spaces and keep your favorite ingredients fresh and easily accessible, check out these best practices in storing your extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, dipping blends, honey, mustards and jams.</p>
<h5><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/">Extra Virgin Olive Oils</a></h5>
<p>An important element in the quality and taste of an extra virgin olive oil is in its freshness. There’s a big difference between the flavorful freshness of Fustini’s extra virgin olive oil and other extra virgin olive oil that’s been sitting out for a while. <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/#howlong">Time is not a friend to extra virgin olive oil</a>, so like many other food products, it does have a shelf life. After about 12 months, that fresh, bright flavor begins to decrease, as will the Vitamin E content. While that specialty oil is indeed special, don’t wait for the perfect time to use your favorite oil. Otherwise, you might miss out on the full amazing flavor your oil has to offer.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/#storing">How you store your extra virgin olive oil</a> can directly affect that element of time and how long it stays fresh. To keep it at its freshest and best flavor, store your favorite flavors of extra virgin olive oil and other specialty oils in a cool, dark place. A pantry or cabinet is a great option. Exposure to heat and light affect that timeframe of freshness, so keeping it out of the sun and in a cooler area can help keep it at its best. But remember, cooler doesn’t mean the refrigerator.</p>
<p>Ever wonder why Fustini’s extra virgin olive oil comes in dark glass bottles? It’s to shield out the harmful UV rays and light from the quality oil. The darker glass helps preserve and maintain the freshness of your favorite extra virgin olive oils.</p>
<h5><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/vinegars_11/">Balsamic Vinegars</a></h5>
<p>Like a great vinaigrette, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic go together. And that includes in the method in which you <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/#storage">store them</a>. Like extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar doesn’t like light and heat. Those dark glass bottles for balsamic are intentional, too. Balsamics are best kept in cool, dark spaces. Remember to put the top on the bottle, as air can also affect the flavor.</p>
<p>One important thing that distinguishes storing balsamic from oil is that balsamic vinegar doesn’t really have a shelf life. After all, Fustini’s 18-Year balsamic has already been cultivating flavor and health benefits for about 18 years.</p>
<p>Especially when it comes to fruitier balsamics like West Michigan Blueberry or Peach, you may notice some sediment forming at the bottom of the bottle over time. This sediment is normal and is no cause for concern. It’s a result of using real fruit concentrate in the balsamic to provide that full, fruity fresh flavor.</p>
<p>You may also notice that light balsamics can slowly start to become <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/#color">darker over time</a>. This natural process is normal and is a result of oxidation. While the color may turn to more of a golden amber, the flavor and high quality of the light balsamic doesn’t change.</p>
<p><img alt="" height="303" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/organize_2.jpg" width="202"/></p>
<h5><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/pantry-items/spices_18/">Spice Blends</a></h5>
<p>As you continue to organize your pantry and kitchen space, remember to leave a space for your favorite spices and dipping blends. Organization of your spice cabinet can help you find the ingredients you need quickly and easily, without needing to dig through containers as you’re in the middle of preparing food.</p>
<p>Spices, blends and salts do well out of direct sunlight and heat sources. Keeping them in airtight containers with secure lids can also help them to retain their freshness and flavor for a long time. Whether you keep them in your pantry, a side cabinet or out on the kitchen counter, you get to choose how to best access them. Get creative and see what methods work best for your spaces.</p>
<h5><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/pantry-items/honey_15/">Honey</a></h5>
<p>Whether you use it in your tea, on top of bread, in your marinades or the hundreds of other ways, honey can be easily stored in your pantry. Simply keep it out of direct sunlight and at room temperature (such as between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit). You can keep it in the same container in which you receive it, since the decorative and specialty bottles are part of the fun.</p>
<p>As honey can get sticky around the lid, you may want to wipe off the top of your honey container every once in a while with a rag to prevent build up of crusted on honey. If your honey has seemed to crystalize over time, you can put it in a glass container and put it in a saucepan of hot water until your honey becomes crystal clear again.</p>
<p><img alt="" height="237" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/organize_3.jpg" width="356"/></p>
<h5><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/pantry-items/spreads_22/">Spreads</a> and <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/pantry-items/jams_20/">Jams</a></h5>
<p>For other pantry items, it’s best to store unopened jars in the - yes, you guessed it - the pantry. A cooler, dark area is your perfect spot for keeping your favorite spreads, tapenades, jams and mustards until ready for use.</p>
<p>But once you turn that lid and break the seal, your storing approach requires the refrigerator. Usually, the shelf life of these versatile pantry items are several months, as noted by a “best by” date on the jar. But once you break that seal, that timeline moves up slightly. Keep your ingredients fresh and flavorful by storing them in the fridge.</p>
<h5>Get Your Pantry Organized</h5>
<p>If you’ve got it on your to-do list to get your pantry and kitchen in order, use these helpful tips in keeping your favorite speciality food ingredients fresh and flavorful. The key for most ingredients is a cool, dark place - making a pantry shelf or drawer a great spot.</p>
<p>See what spaces you have to use in your kitchen and make your organization your own.</p>Got Arthritis? Try EVOO2019-09-21T04:00:00+00:002024-03-27T05:36:30+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/got-arthritis-try-evoo/<p>Pain. Stiffness. Inflammation. If you have arthritis, you know these symptoms quite well.</p>
<p>Arthritis, or the inflammation of your joints, is a chronic condition that affects about 3 million people in the United States every year. It can range from mild to severe and interrupt your daily activities.</p>
<p>While there currently isn’t an exact cure for arthritis, you may know that there are certain things you can do to manage your pain. From warm water baths, staying physically active, yoga, ice packs and heating pads, there are steps you can take to ease your pain. Pain management can also come through what you eat.</p>
<p>And the anti-inflammatory properties in your favorite extra virgin olive oil can be part of a healthy approach to managing your arthritis.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for strategies and methods to reduce your painful inflammation caused by chronic arthritis, finding some relief may be as easy as picking up another bottle of your favorite extra virgin olive oil. Here, we share why extra virgin olive oil can be so transformational and give some great ideas of how you can continue to incorporate it into your healthy diet in accordance with pain-free living.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/blog/picture88.jpg" width="100%"/></p>
<h5>How it Works</h5>
<p>You may have heard that extra virgin olive oil comes with a <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best">wide range of health benefits</a> that can help you live well from your head to your toes. From lowering bad cholesterol to preventing harmful bacteria and type two diabetes, this superfood can help you in a variety of ways.</p>
<p>One particularly important property of extra virgin olive oil is its <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best">antioxidants</a>. The antioxidant oleocanthal serves a valuable role in having profound effects in managing your pain and inflammation. The Omega-3 fatty acid in EVOO also works as an anti-inflammatory that can be an important addition to your diet.</p>
<h5>Go Mediterranean</h5>
<p>When it comes to being intentional about your diet in relieving arthritis pain, the Mediterranean diet has often caught the attention of researchers. According to a <a href="https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-health-news/arthritis-foundation-recommends-olive-oil/63385" rel="noopener" target="_blank">study from the Cochrane Collaboration in 2009</a>, the Mediterranean diet, with the emphasis of EVOO, can help to reduce pain.</p>
<h5>Compliment (Or Replace) Medications</h5>
<p>In your pain management for your arthritis, you may incorporate medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin that block inflammatory pathways. As it turns out, EVOO works the same way. <a href="https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-health-news/arthritis-foundation-recommends-olive-oil/63385" rel="noopener" target="_blank">It contains the same enzymes</a> that are found in pain relief medications. Using EVOO instead of, or complimenting your intake of pain medicine, can help to reduce those unpleasant side effects you may experience with NSAIDs.</p>
<h5>Combine With Fish Oil</h5>
<p>There are a lot of different kinds of oil out there, each with its own level of health benefits and properties. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-olive-oil#section10" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Healthline</a> notes a study that when participants included both EVOO and fish oil in their diets, they experienced better hand strength and more relief from joint pain and stiffness caused by arthritis.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/blog/picture89.jpg" width="100%"/></p>
<h5>Lose Weight</h5>
<p>For some, weight loss may be another important part of addressing pain management and relief from arthritis. Incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your diet, particularly with a Mediterranean-based diet <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-olive-oil#section6" rel="noopener" target="_blank">has shown potential for weight loss properties</a>. The healthy fats that carry a range of beneficial properties, such as <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best">monounsaturated fats</a>, can help you feel your best without those other saturated fats that can be harmful to your health.</p>
<h5>Improve your Overall Health</h5>
<p>With its <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best">plethora of health benefits</a>, using EVOO to address your arthritis pain is just the start of what it can do. Improve your skin with the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol found in EVOO that can help to heal abrasions and reduce skin cancer risk. Incorporating EVOO into your diet can help you boost your health overall.</p>
<h5>How to Use It</h5>
<p>Using a pure extra virgin olive oil, whether infused or a single varietal, is an ingredient you can incorporate in just about all types of cuisines. Since EVOO has a low smoke point, meaning it breaks down and begins to lose its health benefits at a lower temperature than canola oil or avocado oil, for example. Even with a lower smoke point, there are so many ways you can bring into your cooking and meal prepping.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/shop/">Some of our favorite ways</a> to use EVOO include marinating a healthy protein such as chicken or fish prior to cooking. Emulsifying a vinaigrette for prime consistency for your salad. Sauté veggies in a skillet - keeping in mind EVOO can withstand heat up to about 325 degrees. Use as a healthy alternative to butter or other oils.</p>
<h5>Ease Your Pain With EVOO</h5>
<p>Living with arthritis can be challenging. With the chronic aches and pains from morning stiffness and joint inflammation, engaging in daily activities may just not be the same. But by incorporating healthy ingredients like EVOO into your diet, you can get on your way to improving your overall health and reducing inflammation. Emphasizing a healthy diet can help. And often, it’s as easy as picking up a bottle of your favorite infused or single varietal EVOO.</p>How to Add EVOO and Vinegar to Your Keto Diet2019-08-21T04:00:00+00:002024-03-28T18:38:50+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/how-to-add-evoo-and-vinegar-to-your-keto-diet/<p>From pescatarian to vegan to raw foods to so much more, there always seems to be something new in diet trends. Each trend or fad claims impressive health transformations that state how incorporating certain restrictions will help train your body to be healthier and feel better.</p>
<p>One such diet trend that has grown in popularity in recent years has been the Keto diet. The keto, or <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101#what-it-is" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Ketogenic</a>, diet focuses on fat over carbs. It’s low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats, designed to keep blood sugar at healthy levels and enhance metabolism. It gets its name from turning fat into ketones in improving your body’s metabolism, a metabolic process called ketosis.</p>
<p>Before starting on a keto diet plan, be sure you talk with your doctor to see if it’s the right diet for you and your health goals. These types of extreme plans aren’t intended for everyone and certainly has important risks to consider.</p>
<h5>About the Keto Diet</h5>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/blog/picture62(1).jpg" width="100%"/></p>
<p>While there are <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101#types" rel="noopener" target="_blank">several types of the keto diet</a>, including cyclical and targeted, the standard diet breaks down your food intake into about 75% fat, 20% protein and just 5% of your diet for carbohydrates. Variations flex those numbers slightly but still are founded on high fat and protein with low carbohydrates. While a keto diet isn’t right for everyone, it does come with great health benefits like weight loss and helping diabetes. It has also been linked to reducing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, improving acne, improve risk factors for heart disease and even reduce the effects of epilepsy.</p>
<p>When pursuing a keto diet lifestyle, for either short long term, there are key foods that you avoid in order to follow the 75% fat, 20% protein and 5% carbs. Most obviously, sugary foods like sodas, cakes, ice cream, candy and others are to be cut out or limited. With a low level of carbohydrates, grains and starches like pasta, rice, cereals and more are limited.</p>
<p>An interesting feature of the keto diet includes the limitation of most fruits and root vegetables, as these are high in healthy carbohydrates. While these food groups are obviously important to keep in your diet in order to get the necessary vitamins and nutrients, a keto diet puts a limit on such carbohydrates. Be sure you are careful to still get all those important vitamins and nutrients you need to live well.</p>
<p>This type of diet also highlights healthy fats, such as monounsaturated. Therefore, it’s important to limit your intake of unhealthy fats. Additionally, products that are low-fat and sugar-free are highly processed and should be limited or excluded when following a ketogenic diet.</p>
<p>Although the percentages of food intake may seem tricky, there are some great and easy ways you can make it happen, especially in using oils and vinegars in your dishes. In fact, we’ve even hosted a <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/events/">cooking class</a> highlighting this latest health craze. </p>
<h5>EVOO and Keto</h5>
<p>We already know that extra virgin olive oil comes with its own impressive list of <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best">health benefits</a>. In addition to providing essential antioxidants, serving as an anti-bacterial, preventing gallstones and serving your skin, EVOO also is high in monounsaturated fats. These fats are an important part of your diet and rightly fits well within the keto diet.</p>
<p>Incorporating more EVOO into your keto diet can add both flavor and elevated health benefits.</p>
<h5>Vinegar and Keto</h5>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-s-the-deal-with-apple-cider-vinegar-six-reasons-you-should-try-it">Apple cider vinegar</a> has grown in its own craze of popularity for its dramatic <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-s-the-deal-with-apple-cider-vinegar-six-reasons-you-should-try-it">health benefits</a>. Not only <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/apple-cider-vinegar-with-mother_431/">apple cider varieties</a>, but all balsamic vinegars come with important health benefits that can help you feel at your best, whether you’re on the keto diet or not.</p>
<p>Vinegar helps to improve your sugar balance and can help curb your cravings for carbs when you want them most. That regulation of sugars is important in the ketogenic diet, so incorporating vinegar into your regular diet can have elevated benefits.</p>
<h5>Use Them in Your Keto Cooking</h5>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/blog/picture63.jpg" width="100%"/></p>
<p>Perhaps one of the easiest ways to incorporate EVOO and vinegar into your keto diet is through a <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-is-a-vinaigrette-five-things-you-should-know">vinaigrette</a>. This combination of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar comes with endless possibilities and be catered to exactly what you like. It’s as easy as two great flavors that pair well together, such as <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/cinnamon-pear-dark_132/">Cinnamon Pear</a> balsamic and <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/blood-orange_78/">Blood Orange</a> olive oil, <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/black-truffle-dark_397/">Black Truffle</a> balsamic with <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/garlic_86/">Garlic</a> olive oil or <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/sicilian-lemon-white_102/">Sicilian Lemon</a> balsamic and <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/oils/infused-extra-virgin-olive-oils/basil/">Basil</a> olive oil.</p>
<p>In addition to using them in a vinaigrette for your low-carb salads, you can incorporate them into so many more of your favorite keto dishes. Roast asparagus, zucchini or broccoli in an infused olive oil. Add a sweet balsamic to your bowl of strawberries for dessert for an extra metabolic boost. Sauté your chicken in EVOO and a deglaze the pan with a balsamic like <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/sicilian-lemon-white_102/">Sicilian Lemon</a> for an added pop of flavor. Drizzle a fruity balsamic to your bowl of greek yogurt to start your day off with flavor and protein. With the health benefits of both EVOO, incorporating them into your regular Keto dishes is quick and easy, and can amp up those sometimes dull dishes.</p>
<p>Thinking about the keto diet? Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting the plan. But once you do, discover how you can add increased health benefits by incorporating EVOO and balsamic into your regular routine.</p>What are SELECT Extra Virgin Olive Oils? Three Things You Should Know2019-02-17T00:00:00+00:002024-03-28T23:12:47+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-are-single-varietal-oils-three-things-you-should-know/<p>Robust. Buttery. Fusty.</p>
<p>When it comes to describing olive oil, there are a lot of words we can use. From the type of olive to the flavor it brings to your food, the characteristics that <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-makes-evoo-evoo-what-you-should-know-about-an-oil-unlike-any-other">make EVOO. </a>Extra virgin olive oil is important when it comes to determining the quality of the product.</p>
<p>While we love infusing fresh flavors into our olive oils, such as Blood Orange or Tuscan Herb, we also pride ourselves on the SELECT extra virgin olive oils that incorporate their own flavor profile. This oil is produced from specific olives from specific locations, either northern or southern hemisphere countries based on the time of year. To be considered SELECT, these oils also rely on the flavor of the olive. Other factors such as the location, growing conditions and time of harvesting all factor into the flavor as well. You can also use the term “Single Varietal" or"Mono Cultivar” to describe these SELECT olive oils.</p>
<p>These varietal oils can be a staple in all your cooking, baking or food preparation. But what really sets them apart from the store-bought, bottom-shelf olive oil you’ll find in grocery stores? Here, we share three important things about SELECT extra virgin olive oils that make it an oil worth trying.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/Picture1(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;"/></p>
<h5>1) There are Several Types of Olive Varieties</h5>
<p>Not all olives are created the same. The oils we feature each have their own unique flavor profile. Just like not all Jonagold apples taste like Honeycrisp apples, not all olives carry the same tastes.</p>
<p>The differences between these flavors come in the level of bitterness and ripeness. They also may have different levels of pungency, giving them a more smooth or bitey taste. The different varieties don’t relate to the quality of the oil but rather the flavor profile of the oil.</p>
<p>Here are the typical characteristics of some of our olive oil varieties, for each of which you can find an olive oil with that flavor. </p>
<ul>
<li>Arbequina - ripe fruit, low bitterness</li>
<li>Coratina - herbaceous, bitter, pungent, stable</li>
<li>Frantoio - fruity, herbaceous, medium bitterness, pungent</li>
<li>Hojiblanca - fruity, aromatic, low bitterness, pungency</li>
<li>Koroneiki - fruity, herbaceous, very stable</li>
<li>Peranzana - grassy, robust intensity</li>
<li>Picual - fruity, medium bitterness, high stability</li>
</ul>
<p>Whether you’re looking for a very delicate flavor to use in all your dishes or a more bitter, pungent oil that pops some flavor, you can find it in SELECT olive oil.</p>
<h5> 2) Olives are Harvested at Specific Times</h5>
<p>The flavor of an olive, and therefore the oil made from such olive, also depends on the stage at which it is harvested. With a SELECT extra virgin olive oil, the flavor distinctions that come with different stages of harvest - or maturity stages - greatly influence the profile of the oil.</p>
<p>So what are these stages that have so great of an impact on the characteristic of olive oil? These three stages include;</p>
<p><strong>Green Fruit: </strong>The green or immature olive is one that is firm in texture. The oil that comes from these is bitter, grassy and pungent.</p>
<p><strong>Veraison: </strong>The veraison fruit is at the peak for oil production as it turns to a more yellow-green color. The flavor of these oils still has some bitterness and pungency but is not as strong as green fruit.</p>
<p><strong>Black Fruit:</strong> As the olives continue to ripen, their color turns darker and tastes much less bitter and pungent. These olives produce a lot of oil and are often sweeter.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/Picture2(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;"/></p>
<h5>3) You Can Use SELECT in Many Ways</h5>
<p>Just like flavor-infused extra virgin olive oils, you can use these single varietal olive oils in many ways as you cook and prepare your favorite dishes.</p>
<p><strong>Cooking</strong><br/>Cooking up a recipe that needs oil? Using extra virgin olive oil will bring out its natural flavors. Remember that while it varies from oil to oil, the average smoke point of EVOO is 350 degrees, with olive oils with higher polyphenol counts having a higher smoke point. It’s also best to cook with robust green oils, which have the highest smoke point.</p>
<p><strong>Need some ideas?</strong><br/>Sauté your onions and peppers for a fajita in Picual (green fruit)<br/>Incorporate Hojiblanca (ripe fruit) in your next pan of brownies<br/>Roast your meal’s meat in Coratina (green fruit)</p>
<p><strong>Adding In</strong><br/>When you’re not preheating the oven or turning on the stove or grill and instead just adding in some flavor, you can also incorporate these healthy, flavorful SELECT olive oils. As you pair your food with olive oil, remember that robust oils go well with strong-flavored foods. Delicate oils go well with more mild foods. However, there are always exceptions to this trend depending on what you’re preparing and which flavors you want to bring out in the dish. When it comes to deciding which oil - robust - medium - or delicate - it often just comes down to a matter of preference and personal taste.</p>
<p><strong>Need some ideas?</strong><br/>Drizzle Peranzana (ripe fruit) over popcorn for a great butter substitute<br/>Dress your arugula and strawberry salad with Koroneiki (green fruit)<br/>Drizzle Arbequina (ripe fruit) over your bowl of ice cream for a healthier alternative</p>
<p><strong>Add variety with a SELECT extra virgin olive oil</strong><br/>Elevate the flavors of your favorite dishes with the unique and high-quality flavor profiles of SELECT olive oils. With such variety to choose from, there’s sure to be one (or several) you use in all your recipes.</p>Speaking EVOO: 18 Oil Words to Know2019-02-04T00:00:00+00:002024-03-29T06:43:35+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/speaking-evoo-18-oil-words-to-know/<p>In the world of olive oil, there are some great words you can use to describe your experience. While you can probably guess what words like “bitterness” and “flavor” mean, there are others that aren’t as well known, but very helpful in describing Extra Virgin Olive Oil, EVOO.</p>
<p>Understanding the vocab of extra virgin olive oil can is helpful for a variety of reasons. Knowing the flavor profile terms of an oil can help you describe what kinds of oil you enjoy tasting and using in all your dishes. Learning the qualifications of what makes an EVOO an EVOO helps you determine which oils are actually extra virgin and which are fake oils. And, who knows, you might even impress some of your friends with your EVOO lingo.</p>
<p>To get you started on your vocab list, we’ve shared 18 words related to the tasting, benefits and overall experience of extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<h5>1. Acidity</h5>
<p>Yes, olive oil can be acidic. The acidity level in an oil refers to the amount of free fatty acids. This is measured by the free oleic acid content. Extra virgin olive oil must have an acidic level less than 1%.</p>
<h5>2. Aroma</h5>
<p>As you sample an EVOO, you’ll want to be sure to smell the oil first. By smelling, you take in the aroma of the oil and you’re more easily able to identify the various flavors you sense in the oil.</p>
<h5>3. Balance</h5>
<p>In tasting EVOO, balance refers to the harmony of the various flavor profiles in an oil. When the fruitiness, bitterness and pungency are all balanced, that can make the perfect oil.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/Picture1.png" style="width: 100%;"/></p>
<h5>4. Bitterness</h5>
<p>One of the flavor characteristics you may experience as you taste an oil, bitterness refers to the harsh and dull sting you feel on your tongue.</p>
<h5>5. Centrifuge</h5>
<p>In the production of olive oil, the centrifuge separates the oil of the olive from the water and other olive residue.</p>
<h5>6. Complexity</h5>
<p>One of the fun things about EVOO is that there is rarely just one flavor going on while you taste. The flavor of EVOO has complexity, meaning it contains a combination of flavors that are either in harmony or unbalanced.</p>
<h5>7. Floral</h5>
<p>Word to describe an oil that has the aroma of flowers or perfume.</p>
<h5>8. Free Fatty Acids (FFA)</h5>
<p>On a chemical level, olive oil is made out of triglycerides, which are one glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acid chains. When the fatty acid chains break off the glycerol molecule due to bruised fruit or long storage times, they become free fatty acids (FFA). In an oil, the higher the FFA level, the more acidity, which is a lower quality oil.</p>
<h5>9. Fusty</h5>
<p>No, not “fustinify”. This term refers to a by-product of fermentation. This is used in making table olives, which are fermented, not fresh like oil olives.</p>
<h5>10. Hydroxytyrosal antioxidant</h5>
<p>Aside from a mouthful to say, this is a property in EVOO that takes care of your skin that helps to prevent aging and heals abrasions.</p>
<h5>11. Oleocanthal</h5>
<p>This refers to the anti-inflammatory properties found in EVOO that can improve your health.</p>
<h5>12. Peroxides</h5>
<p>When olive oil oxidizes, it creates peroxides. More oxygen means more peroxides, which causes the oil to go rancid.</p>
<h5>13. Phenolic compounds</h5>
<p>EVOO has at least 30 phenolic compounds. Such compounds are great for your health and can help improve metabolism.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/Picture2.png" style="width: 100%;"/></p>
<h5>14. Polyphenols</h5>
<p>When thinking about the health benefits of EVOO, polyphenols are of the most important. These are antioxidants that help to lower blood pressure by clearing arteries. The taste of these polyphenols are bitter.</p>
<h5>15. Pungency</h5>
<p>When you think of pungent, you may think of a very strong flavor. Pungency in an oil refers to the mild irritation or burn in your throat. In addition to sweet, salty, sour and bitter, pungent is another flavor you can experience when tasting an oil.</p>
<h5>16. Rancid</h5>
<p>Rancid is a description for when oil goes bad. When the oil breaks down, it gives off stale flavors that ruin the quality of the oil.</p>
<h5>17. Ripeness</h5>
<p>Refers to the status of the fruit when it is harvest. The ripeness of an olive can range from bright green and hard to soft, fleshy black. The ripeness of the fruit has strong correlations to the quality of the oil that’s made from it.</p>
<h5>18. Robust</h5>
<p>A word to describe the flavor of the oil. It refers to a full-bodied or strong flavor that pairs well with other strong flavors.</p>
<h5>Put Your Vocab Knowledge to the Test</h5>
<p>Now that you know how to speak “EVOO”, why not come in and try out your vocabulary. At Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars, we’d be happy to walk you through tasting and finding an EVOO that matches the flavor you’re looking for. Stop in today to find your next <em>robust</em> oil.</p>Want Better Skin? Use EVOO2019-01-19T00:00:00+00:002024-03-28T12:01:30+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/want-better-skin-use-evoo/<p>You may know that extra virgin olive oil may come with numerous health benefits that you don't want to miss out on. From lowering your cholesterol and improving your heart health, olive oil is part of a healthy diet. Olive oil can help you live a healthier life. </p>
<p>But what about being healthy on the outside, too?</p>
<p>Extra virgin olive oil has properties and antioxidants that can also improve the health of your skin to help you be glowing and confident as you eat right.</p>
<p>From your head to your toes, extra virgin olive oil can be used in a variety of skin care routines that provides an all-natural alternative to soaps and creams that contain harsh chemicals. While you can always be on the lookout for products that have extra virgin olive oil listed as an ingredient, in some cases you can use straight up olive oil for healthier skin.</p>
<p>Here, we share five quick and easy ways you can take care of your skin with one simple ingredient.</p>
<h5>1) Prevents Signs of Aging</h5>
<p>One of the top health benefits of extra virgin olive oil is its antioxidants that can improve your health inside and out. The antioxidant hydroxytyrosal helps to improve your skin including preventing aging, according to olive oil expert <a href="http://www.paulvossen.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Paul Vossen</a>. With its Vitamin E properties, olive oil protects the skin from harmful damage and can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines.</p>
<h5>2) Soften Cuticles</h5>
<p><img alt="" height="365" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/want%20better%20skin-2.jpg" style="width: 548px;"/></p>
<p>Protect your nail cuticles from drying and ripping in the cold winter months and soften them up with some extra virgin olive oil. By <a href="https://www.allure.com/story/diy-beauty-uses-for-olive-oil" rel="noopener" target="_blank">caring for your cuticles</a>, you can also strengthen your nails and improve the softness of your hands, all at the same time with one natural ingredient.</p>
<h5>3) Prevent Cancer</h5>
<p>We love the sun, but sometimes, our skin doesn’t. If you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun and have a resulting painful sunburn, the antioxidant properties in extra virgin olive oil can help alleviate that painful sting. These antioxidant properties also could reduce potential UVB-ray skin tumors. Just be sure to put the oil on after your time in the sun, not before. With the protection from free radicals, extra virgin olive oil provides a great after-sun care routine. An <a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/122517-benefits-using-extra-virgin-olive/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article from Livestrong</a> also notes how oil application can also fight off cancer-causing cells. The powerful properties in extra virgin olive oil make it a great choice for protecting your health both inside and out.</p>
<h5>4) Remove Makeup</h5>
<p>Looking for a way to take of your day’s makeup without strong chemicals? A <a href="https://www.allure.com/story/diy-beauty-uses-for-olive-oil" rel="noopener" target="_blank">few dabs of oil</a> cling to the oil on your skin to free pores and remove that stubborn makeup. Follow it up with a facial cleanser for a great skin care routine.</p>
<h5>5) Moisturize</h5>
<p><img alt="" height="349" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/want%20better%20skin-1.jpg" style="width: 524px;"/></p>
<p>Extra virgin olive oil’s smoothing properties make it a great option for an all-natural moisturizer. For especially dry skin, you can massage some oil on your slightly damp skin. Doing so not only adds much needed smoothness to your hands, it also protects your skin from further damage. Be sure to not use too much oil on your face, which may lead to clogged pores. For a great hand scrub, mix sugar and oil together to make a natural exfoliant that keeps your hands super smooth. </p>
<p>For itchy, dry skin, the compound found in extra virgin olive oil called oleocanthal calms and soothes irritated skin. When regular body lotion isn’t enough, slathering on some extra virgin olive oil can be a great way to get back that silky smooth skin. </p>
<p><strong>But it’s Not For Everyone</strong></p>
<p>While the properties in olive oil can help improve your skin in a variety of ways, the use of extra virgin olive oil may not be for everyone. An article from <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/olive-oil-benefits-face#risks-and-warnings" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Healthline</a> notes that those with sensitive skin may not see results from using olive oil in their skin care routine. The article also mentions how olive oil may not be helpful for use on infants. Before utilizing olive oil to get better skin, be sure to take your own skin conditions into account.</p>
<h3><strong>Get on Your Way to Better Skin</strong></h3>
<p>To achieve better, glowing skin, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on specialized skin care products. The properties found in olive oil can help boost your health from the inside out.</p>Myths of EVOO: Busted2019-01-07T00:00:00+00:002024-03-29T02:59:40+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/myths-of-evoo-busted/<p>With a simple web search, you’ll find that there’s a lot of information about the qualities and standards of extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<p>But how much of what’s out there about extra virgin olive oil is actually true?</p>
<p>With years of experience and training in the field of extra virgin olive oil quality and standards, we’re here to tell you the truth.</p>
<h2>Six Myths of EVOO: Busted</h2>
<p>Here we bust six myths about what extra virgin olive oil is and share the truth about what it can do for you.</p>
<h5>1.</h5>
<p><strong>Myth:</strong> You can’t cook in high heat with extra virgin olive oil<br/><strong>Truth:</strong> Use extra virgin olive oil often in cooking</p>
<p>Using extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO, in all your recipes is a great way to <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/cookbooks_24/">cook healthier</a> and add nutritional value to your meals. It is important to keep any eye on any oil in a sauté pan or stovetop, as olive oil at a high heat may be more susceptible to burning.</p>
<p>You can using EVOO in all your cooking methods like sautés, marinades, sauces, roasting and many more.</p>
<h5>2.</h5>
<p><strong>Myth:</strong> All oil labeled as “extra virgin” is extra virgin<br/><strong>Truth:</strong> A lot of extra virgin olive oil in grocery stores doesn’t meet quality standards</p>
<p>Just because a label reads that an oil is extra virgin doesn’t mean that the quality and health benefits of the oil is consistent with all extra virgin olive oils.</p>
<p>In fact, research has shown that a high percentage of extra virgin olive oil you find on grocery store shelves doesn’t actually meets the quality standards of what olive oil experts would deem as extra virgin.</p>
<p>When you opt to buy cheap olive oil from your convenience store without observing its process, source or ingredients, you may be missing out on high quality with important health benefits found in a true extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<p><img alt="" height="269" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/EVOO-1(1).jpeg" style="width: 406px;"/></p>
<h5>3.</h5>
<p><strong>Myth:</strong> Storing extra virgin olive oil in the fridge will tell you if it’s the real deal<br/><strong>Truth:</strong> Refrigeration doesn’t help extra virgin olive oil</p>
<p>Don’t store your high-quality extra virgin olive oil next to your mustard or mayonnaise in the refrigerator. In fact, sticking your oil in the fridge will actually make the olive oil solidify and form crystals as it is stored in the fridge. Once you take it out and bring it back to room temperature, the oil will return to its original state. However, since the water crystals add moisture and degrades the oil. To determine extra virgin olive oil authenticity, pay attention to other valid measures such as taste.</p>
<p>Instead of the fridge, <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/">store your EVOO</a> in a cool, dark place such as your pantry. Keep it away from light and heat in storage. </p>
<h5>4.</h5>
<p><strong>Myth:</strong> Olive oil improves flavor and quality as it ages<br/><strong>Truth:</strong> Olive oil starts to lose flavor after 12 months</p>
<p>A key factor in the quality of an EVOO is the <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs/">freshness of the oil</a>. Olive oil is not like wine in that it improves as it ages. In fact, extra virgin olive oil loses its quality as more time passes.</p>
<p>Not only does the fresh taste leave after a period of time, the nutritional qualities of Vitamin E content also decreases after one year. Unlike balsamic vinegar, EVOO does have a shelf life.</p>
<p>At Fustini’s we’re intentional about preserving that fresh taste. We bottle in-store to maximize that freshness. We also get the freshest selection of oil every six months.</p>
<h5>5.</h5>
<p><strong>Myth:</strong> Olive oil should taste just like table olives<br/><strong>Truth:</strong> Olive oil olives are different than table olives</p>
<p>The raw, right-off-the-tree olive has a bitter taste that isn’t intended to be consumed as is. Instead, olives are made into either olive oil or table olives. According to an <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/07/olives--the-bitter-truth/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article</a> from National Geographic, the outer flesh of the olive is 30% oil.</p>
<p>Table olives, on the other hand, are cured and prepared in a method different than the pressing that olive oil takes. About 90% of the olives produced in the world is used to make olive oil, according to <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/07/olives--the-bitter-truth/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">National Geographic</a>. The rest of the crop is kept for table olives, typically of the green or black varieties that can be used in a multitude of ways. Table olives are also fermented, which makes table olives and olives in olive oil taste different.</p>
<h5>6.</h5>
<p><strong>Myth: </strong>The color of the olive oil is related to the quality of the oil<br/><strong>Truth:</strong> The color of the olive oil is not a judge of its quality</p>
<p>The color of the olive oil has more to do with the type of olive rather than the freshness and quality of the oil. According to an <a href="https://solivera.us/content/9-colour-and-clarity-of-olive-oil" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article</a> from Can Solivera, the color of an olive oil can range from dark green to yellow to brown, all based on the variety of olive and the time of harvesting. As olives are green when they are young, the harvest time plays a role in its color.</p>
<p><img alt="" height="321" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/bottle-bowl-cork-53502.jpg" style="width: 321px;"/></p>
<h3><strong>Don’t Be Fooled with Old Oil News</strong></h3>
<p>With the rise in popularity of extra virgin olive oil in its health benefits and flavor adds, it’s easy to get confused in what actually constitutes fresh and high-quality olive oil. With these truths in mind, you can continue to use and celebrate EVOO that’s a of a high quality you can trust.</p>12 Healthy and Delicious Ways To Use Your EVOO2018-12-28T00:00:00+00:002024-03-28T06:14:51+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/12-healthy-and-delicious-ways-to-use-your-evoo/<p>You just received a new bottle of flavor infused extra virgin olive oil as a hostess gift. As soon as your excitement subsided, you begin to dream up all the wonderful recipes and dishes you can create with such ingredients.</p>
<p>While you may just think of extra virgin olive oil in sautéing on the stove, there are so many uses and techniques you can use with your new flavored or single varietal EVOO.</p>
<p>At Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars, we encourage you to use your creativity as you try new recipes and enhance the flavor of your dishes.</p>
<p>To get you started, here we share 12 things you can do with your extra virgin olive oil. And cooking is just the beginning.</p>
<h4>COOKING</h4>
<p><img alt="" height="1067" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/378EE4E7-E504-45AF-9092-18B0BE975F32-449-0000002A58DECA4E.jpeg" style="width: 801px;"/></p>
<h5>1.Sauté</h5>
<p>Probably one of the most well known uses for extra virgin olive oil, sautéing is a common cooking technique to cook your veggies, meats and other dishes.</p>
<h5>2. Roasting</h5>
<p>When you want to use your oven rather than your stovetop, you can opt for using your EVOO in roasting your meats, veggies, pastas and much more.</p>
<h5>3. Vinaigrettes</h5>
<p>Like we shared in this post, a vinaigrette is made by combining two main ingredients - oil and vinegar. The kind of oil you choose to include in your salad dressing can greatly influence the flavor profile of your dish.</p>
<h5>4. Finishing Dishes</h5>
<p>Need to add just a touch of flavor or spice to your pasta dish or salsa? Before serving, drizzle on a little flavored EVOO to revamp the flavor and keep your ingredients fresh.</p>
<h5>5. Sauces</h5>
<p>Don’t settle for processed, store-bought sauces with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Make your own mayonnaise, ketchup or pasta salad dressing easily with flavored extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<h5>6. Bread Dipping</h5>
<p>Ever visit a restaurant and receive a basket of bread with a plate of oil, vinegar and cheese? Recreate that elegant dining experience for yourself at home with your extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<h5>7. Baking</h5>
<p>If you love to bake, try substituting your EVOO for regular vegetable oil, butter or egg in your next recipe. Not only will you cut down on calories and add a healthy source of monounsaturated fat, you can also add a boost of flavor in using flavors like blood orange or butter extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<h4>Health and Beauty</h4>
<p><img alt="" height="637" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/1663FEDE-74B7-4ADE-8125-5AC8E3ED8CDB-449-0000002CE14145A6.jpeg" style="width: 425px;"/></p>
<p>Cooking techniques is just the start of what you can do with your EVOO. You can also use in to improve your health from the inside out.</p>
<h5>9. Exfoliate Your Skin</h5>
<p>Combine a fruity flavored EVOO with sugar to create a sweet-smelling hand or body scrub to smooth your skin.</p>
<h5>10. Tame Frizzy Ends</h5>
<p>Smooth a few drops of EVOO in your hair to calm your frizz and tame your out of control ends. That oil will also bring out a bright shine to your hair, making it look and feel gorgeous.</p>
<h5>11. Moisturize Your Lips</h5>
<p>If you often reach for your trusty lip balm to keep your lips hydrated, try using a few dabs of extra virgin olive oil for soft and smooth lips.</p>
<h5>12. Calm Your Sunburn</h5>
<p>With the abundant number of beneficial properties in extra virgin olive oil, especially the phenolic compound oleocanthal, using it on sunburn can help alleviate pain and reduce the risk of cancer.</p>
<h4>Use your Creativity</h4>
<p>From spicing up your veggie stir fry to softening your hands during the cold winter months, extra virgin olive oil comes in handy in a variety of ways. And with the abundant health benefits of EVOO, keeping it stocked in your pantry can keep you healthy from the inside out.</p>10 Health Benefits of EVOO To Help You Look and Feel Your Best2018-10-29T00:00:00+00:002024-03-29T05:06:15+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best/<p>From staying active to eating right to getting enough sleep, there’s a lot we can do to live healthy. And that includes using extra virgin olive oil in your best recipes.</p>
<p>We know olive oil tastes great. But did you know that EVOO is not only tasty for flavor, it’s also beneficial for your health, too?</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/12-healthy-and-delicious-ways-to-use-your-evoo/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Whether you use it</a> in your vinaigrette salad dressing, in your baking or in marinating your dinner, EVOO can do wonders for your health. It’s an ingredient that not only takes the flavor to a new level, it also amps up your health.</p>
<p>EVOO has several characteristics that make it a source for good health. And the fact that it’s free of processed chemicals is just the start of its wonders.</p>
<h3>10 Health Benefits of EVOO</h3>
<p>Here, we share 10 benefits of EVOO that can improve your health and make you feel great.</p>
<h4>1) High in healthy monounsaturated fats</h4>
<p>When you think of fats, you may immediately think of unhealthy, processed ingredients. However, fats are an essential part of your diet that need to be included daily. The kind of fat you use makes a big difference on your overall health.</p>
<p>EVOO has monounsaturated fats. This fat - oleic acid - comes with a variety of health benefits such as reducing inflammation and reducing your risk of heart disease.</p>
<h4>2) Antioxidants for Your Heart</h4>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/EVOO%20health%20benefits-1(1).jpg" style="width: 600px;"/></p>
<p>Much of EVOO’s credit to being a health food comes from its antioxidants. Polyphenols is one of the natural antioxidants found in olive oil. Like any other antioxidant, polyphenols have properties that can improve your heart health and do things such as lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. They work by clearing out arteries and improving your overall cardiovascular health.</p>
<p>According to researcher <a href="https://medfooddiet.com/about/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Dr. Mary Flynn</a>, EVOO high in polyphenols has shown to increase good cholesterol, HDL, while lowering bad cholesterol, LDL.</p>
<p>To hear more from Dr. Mary Flynn, check out this video on the role of extra virgin olive oil in a healthy diet:</p>
<p><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/maesmv5UffQ" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h4>3) Antioxidants for Inflammation</h4>
<p>Another antioxidant you can find in EVOO is oleocanthal. This antioxidant also can have profound effects in improving your health. Oil expert <a href="http://www.paulvossen.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Paul Vossen</a> suggests that the antioxidant oleocanthal is an anti-inflammatory that reduces pain. It mimics the properties of an ibuprofen or other pain reliever in alleviating discomfort.</p>
<h4>4) Anti-Bacterial</h4>
<p>The antioxidants also have properties to act as an anti-bacterial. The antioxidant polyphenols in olive oil <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs#benefits">have shown to be effective</a> in preventing and delaying the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Cholera, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Influenza.</p>
<h4>5) Prevents Gallstones</h4>
<p>Afraid of getting gallstones? Use olive oil as part of your prevention methods. Oil expert Paul <a href="http://www.paulvossen.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Vossen</a> notes that since olive oil encourages bile and other pancreatic hormones that are important for health. With these properties, olive oil helps to reduce the risk of getting gallstones.</p>
<h4>6) Improve Your Skin</h4>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/EVOO%20health%20benefits-2.jpg" style="width: 600px;"/></p>
<p>Another beneficial antioxidant found in olive oil is hydroxytyrosal. This super ingredient has the power to improve your skin, notes olive oil expert <a href="http://www.paulvossen.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Paul Vossen</a>. This antioxidant can prevent aging and helps your skin glow. Olive oil can also help heal abrasions faster as well as delay and reduce skin cancers caused by UV rays.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fustinis.com/faqs#benefits">Polyphenols</a> also come with benefits like better skin. These compounds act as remover of radicals due to overexposure of sun rays and environmental stresses. Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics have even found that polyphenols have the highest number of radical scavengers among other traditional antioxidants.</p>
<h4>7) Prevent Cancer</h4>
<p>The benefits of EVOO keep getting better, as the antioxidants found in olive oil have also shown to reduce the risk of cancer. An <a href="https://legionathletics.com/health-benefits-of-extra-virgin-olive-oil/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article from Legion Athletics</a> notes that the oleocanthal found in olive oil can increase the destruction rate of cancer cells. From breast cancer to colon cancer to stomach cancer to much more, the power of the antioxidants can do wonders in prevention and healthy living.</p>
<h4>8) Avoid Type 2 Diabetes</h4>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/EVOO%20health%20benefits%20-3.jpg" style="width: 600px;"/></p>
<p>Another important benefit of olive oil is regulating your blood sugar and insulin levels, according to an <a href="https://legionathletics.com/health-benefits-of-extra-virgin-olive-oil/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article from Legion Athletics</a>. Studies have shown that diets that incorporate olive oil, such as a Mediterranean diet, have a decreased risk of developing diabetes than others.</p>
<h4>9) Prevent Strokes</h4>
<p>Strokes are caused by a disruption in the blood flow to your brain from a clot or some other bleeding. According to an <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-olive-oil#section5" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article from Healthline</a>, studies have shown that olive oil was the single source of monounsaturated fat that is associated with a decreased risk for stroke.</p>
<h4>10) Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis</h4>
<p>Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can be a painful and frustrating condition to live with. With olive oil’s properties of anti-inflammatory and reducing oxidative stress, it can act as an aid to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis, notes an article from <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-olive-oil#section10" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Healthline</a>. The article also notes that when olive oil is combined with fish oil, the anti-inflammatory properties are even more effective.</p>
<h5>Improve Your Health With EVOO</h5>
<p>With so many health benefits of using olive oil, you’ll want to use it in everything! From your heart to your brain to your skin to your stomach, EVOO is an all around superfood to help you be healthy and feel great. <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/oils/">Check out</a> a single varietal or flavored EVOO from our wide selection of products to start feeling those health benefits for yourself.</p>What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil? 4 Things You Should Know About an Oil Unlike Any Other2018-10-18T00:00:00+00:002024-03-29T07:14:13+00:00Tim Barronshttps://www.fustinis.com/blog/author/admin/https://www.fustinis.com/blog/what-makes-evoo-evoo-what-you-should-know-about-an-oil-unlike-any-other/<p>If you’ve ever taken a trip down the grocery store cooking and baking aisle, you know there are almost too many options for "oil". Amid the canola oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil, coconut oil and many more, there’s one type of oil that stands out above the rest. And, it's an oil that can be used for everything from cooking to baking to moisturizing.</p>
<p>Let’s talk about<strong> extra virgin olive oil</strong>.</p>
<h2>Extra Virgin Olive Oil</h2>
<p>You’ve probably heard of the phrase “extra virgin olive oil” or “EVOO”. </p>
<p>Yet despite its popularity, EVOO has had its share of misconceptions as to what actually is described as “extra virgin olive oil.”</p>
<p>At Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars, we’re passionate about making sure you are well informed about the importance of quality in enjoying <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/order/category/oils_4/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">extra virgin olive oil</a>.</p>
<p>Here, we share what makes extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin—and the value of selecting a quality oil unlike any other. </p>
<h5>What makes EVOO, EVOO?</h5>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/What%20Makes%20EVOO-1.jpg" style="width: 600px;"/></p>
<p>When it comes to the difference of extra virgin olive oil, it’s all about <strong>high quality</strong>. Olive oil comes from, you guessed it, olives. But the “extra virgin” description comes from the quality of the olives and the process in which it was produced.</p>
<p>Oil is classified as “extra virgin” when the oil is extracted during the first pressing of olives. Regular olive oil is made from a blend of processed oils. That means that one of the key distinctions between EVOO and regular olive oil is the absence of processed chemicals. In grading olive oils, EVOO represents the highest grade of olive oil, making it truly top notch.</p>
<h5>How is EVOO made?</h5>
<p>So how is an olive oil classified as "extra virgin" or not? <strong>It's all about how the oil was processed. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Extra virgin olive oil must be free from any alterations in color, taste, nutrients or vitamins.</strong> EVOO is made when olives are crushed into a pulp using only force, rather than heat or chemicals as in the production of other olive oils. Once the pulp creates a paste, it is kneaded to release the liquid from the pulp, made up of oil, water and olive residue.</p>
<p>That liquid is then put in a centrifuge which separates the oil from the rest of the olive material. The pure, flavorful oil is then filtered and bottled as extra virgin olive oil. This oil must not exceed 0.8% of oleic acid content in order to be considered EVOO.</p>
<p>But when that leftover olive paste from the process is heated and kneaded with additional chemicals to release more oil, what results is simply olive oil. This oil, with the addition of expeller chemicals, is not as pure or as high of quality as extra virgin olive oil.</p>
<p>To get the best flavor and nutritional quality, the oil must be the first, cold extraction of the olives.</p>
<h5>The Fake Oils</h5>
<p>As you observe the shelves of the grocery store, you may notice there are probably several brands claiming the olive oil as “extra virgin.”</p>
<p>Don’t be fooled so easily.</p>
<p>Many brands have discovered methods to generate greater profits by skimping on quality standards for EVOO. Chances are, that grocery store brand lacks the quality, nutritional benefits, flavor and other requirements to be considered “extra virgin.”</p>
<p>According to olive oil expert Paul Vossen, much of the “extra virgin olive oil” sold in stores is defective, fermented and rancid. In fact, in a quality study from UC Davis, researchers found that 69% of imported oils that were labeled as extra virgin did not meet the <a href="http://www.internationaloliveoil.org/">International Olive Council</a> quality standards for actual classification of “extra virgin.”</p>
<h5>Why is EVOO so amazing? </h5>
<p><img alt="" height="372" src="https://www.fustinis.com/media/uploads/image/What%20Makes%20EVOO-2.jpg" style="width: 558px;"/></p>
<p>You don't want to settle for an oil that’s spiked with chemicals and impurities. EVOO allows you to maintain the <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/10-health-benefits-of-evoo-to-help-you-look-and-feel-your-best/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">health benefits</a> and purity that olive oil is intended to have.</p>
<p>So what are some of these benefits? EVOO has remarkably better taste than store bought vegetable oils or other olive oils. As you cook, dip bread in it or toss it on a salad. The unparalleled taste of EVOO will transform your boring dishes into a flavorful adventure.</p>
<p>In addition to taste, EVOO also beats out other oils in vitamins and nutrients it holds. Other oils like vegetable oils are extracted using petroleum-based chemical solvents and are highly refined. In this mechanical process, much of the taste, color and nutrients are dramatically removed from the oil. Since EVOO is not processed or refined, all the color, taste, vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants remain.</p>
<h5>Stick With Quality</h5>
<p>With the dramatic benefits in flavor, taste and nutritional quality, EVOO is your best way to go when cooking, baking or using in countless other ways.</p>
<p>Check out our other pages and <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/blog/extra-virgin-olive-oil-and-you">blog articles</a> on the value of using EVOO.</p>