Fat

Grassy, peppery, fruity, or buttery depending on the olive variety and region.

Olive oil

The juice of pressed olives. Almost no processing when it's called 'extra virgin'.

What's in it

  • · Monounsaturated fat
  • · Polyphenols (in extra virgin)
  • · Vitamin E

How it's cooked

  • · Raw — drizzling, dressing
  • · Low-to-medium heat sautéing
  • · Poaching (yes, in olive oil)

Around the world

The circulatory system of Mediterranean cooking. On bread with salt. Over salad with lemon. Under a piece of fish. Poured across ripe tomatoes.

Commonly paired with

TomatoBreadGarlicLemonLeafy greensAlmost every vegetable

Texture

Coating, silky, sometimes peppery on the throat when very fresh.

Questions to investigate

  • · Raw olive oil vs cooked olive oil — different foods almost.
  • · Drizzle on tomato salad — the fat unlocks lycopene the tomato was otherwise hoarding.

Your meals with olive oil

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