New York International Olive Oil Competition

Last week, the results of the first annual New York International Olive Oil Competition were announced. Producers from around the world were invited to submit their 2012 harvest EVOO and more than 700 answered the call. The judging panel was also made up of international experts with the chief judge being the most renowned, passionate and principled olive oil taster (and also the guru of The Olive Oil Merchant), Gino Celletti. [Note: For those that are interested in really understanding olive oil, I encourage you to preview his recently published book here.]

The World’s Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils

Like everything else, Extra Virgin Olive Oil has its own version of the Academy Awards.
(OMG, what will I wear?)

The Real “Olio Novello” of Italy

It is harvest time in the northern hemisphere. What that means is in Italy from north to south, the picking and pressing has started. For us in Canada and the US, for the most part, it means waiting another few months for the product to make its way to our shores.

Not being a very patient crew, this year the anticipation was too much so we called our friends at Frantoio Franci in Tuscany and begged, pleaded and groveled. The result was better than we could have dreamed.

Why we don’t sell flavoured oils.

Not a week goes by without someone asking me about flavoured olive oils. Do we sell them? When will we sell them? Why don’t we sell them? The short answers to those questions are: No. Never. We care about your health. And now for the long answer….

Response to Vancouver Sun Article – Olive Oil 101

This week in the Vancouver Sun, food writer Mia Stainsby wrote an article featuring The Olive Oil Merchant and Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A reader and owner of a Greek Grocery Store in Vancouver took issue with the piece and wrote a letter which she published on her blog here. Here is my response:

2011 New Harvest Oils Are In

New Year. New Harvest.
It is January and for many, this time of year means short-kept resolutions, gym membership renewals and endless snow shoveling. For the Olive Oil Merchant it means the highly anticipated arrival of our New Harvest Oil.

The Ultimate Foodie Gift

Today, we are launching what we think is the coolest gift ever, if we do say so ourselves. It was thought of for that foodie on your shopping list that is so hard to buy for, has absolutely everything or is just plain picky!

Kids and Olive Oil

The health benefits of olive oil are well documented. Artisan Extra Virgin is chock full of anti-oxidants which are key to strengthening the immune system and protecting the body from the damaging effects of free-radical
molecules. EVOO is low in saturated fats and has no cholesterol. And among other things, it plays a part in reducing rates or risk of some types of cancer. These benefits are not exclusively for the adult population but of course also for children.

The Olive Oil Merchant Launches MyRewards

There has never been a better time to do your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own cozy armchair. Back in May of this year, we sneakily implemented the Olive Oil Merchant MyRewards program. What that means is, since then, with every purchase you have been earning points without even knowing it.

The Millers Series: Domenico Bianchini from Bianchini

We love Olive Oil.

And really, we should. We know the land where it comes from. We have felt the breeze through the hills. We have sat in the shade of its trees. We have smelled the scent of the blossoms and then were there to pick the fruit when it was just right. And when the oil came out of the press, we were there to taste it. But beyond the terroir, what really makes the difference, or rather who – is the miller. The man or woman, who with love, passion, science and gut creates for us – liquid gold. So, actually it’s them we love.

This is the sixth in our series of mini-interviews with our partners, the artisan farmers who bring us some of the most amazing EVOO available on the planet. We think that once  you know them like we do, you too will feel the love.  Today we meet Domenico Bianchini, the namesake of our Bianchini Cartoceto DOP. He was born among the olive trees and thankfully is still there today making outstanding oils and wines.