Extra virgin olive oil is a staple of Italian cooking. From finishing a fresh salad to drizzling over bruschetta or adding flavour to pasta, vegetables and grilled meats, a good olive oil can make even the simplest dish taste special.
But with so many bottles labelled "extra virgin", how do you know which one to choose?
Here are a few things worth looking for when selecting a quality extra virgin olive oil.
1. Look at Where the Olives Come From
The origin of the olives can tell you a lot about an olive oil. Different regions and olive varieties produce distinctive flavours, aromas and characteristics.
Sicily has a long history of olive cultivation and is home to the Nocellara del Belice, one of the island's best-known olive varieties.
Grown in western Sicily, Nocellara del Belice olives can produce beautifully balanced extra virgin olive oils with fresh, fruity and herbaceous characteristics.
2. Check the Olive Variety
Not every bottle tells you which olives have been used. When the variety is listed, however, it gives you a better idea of what you're buying and the flavours you can expect.
A single-variety, or monovarietal, olive oil is produced using one specific type of olive rather than a blend.
At Ferrara Italian, our Tenute Caracci Extra Virgin Olive Oils are made from 100% Nocellara del Belice olives, allowing the natural characteristics of this Sicilian variety to shine through.
3. Pay Attention to How It's Produced
How olives are processed after harvesting has an important influence on the finished oil.
Look for extra virgin olive oils produced through mechanical extraction and at controlled temperatures. This helps retain the natural flavour and aroma of the olives without relying on chemical extraction.
Our Tenute Caracci olive oil is produced using mechanical extraction methods. The 500ml oil is made from manually harvested olives that are processed the same day using a continuous cold cycle below 26°C.
4. Don't Be Afraid of a Peppery Finish
Good extra virgin olive oil doesn't necessarily taste neutral.
Depending on the olive variety, you may notice fruity, grassy, herbal, slightly bitter or peppery characteristics. These flavours are part of what makes different olive oils interesting to cook with.
Tenute Caracci Nocellara del Belice Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a fresh and fruity aroma, notes of green olives and herbs, a balanced flavour and a pleasant peppery finish.
Try tasting a small amount on its own or with a piece of fresh bread. It's one of the easiest ways to appreciate the flavour before adding it to a dish.
5. Consider the Bottle and Storage
Light and heat aren't friends of olive oil.
Choosing oil packaged to help protect it from light, then storing it correctly at home, can help preserve its quality. Keep your extra virgin olive oil in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, the oven or other heat sources.
The Tenute Caracci 750ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes in a dark glass bottle designed to help protect the oil from light and maintain its freshness.
How Can You Use a Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
One of the best things about a quality EVOO is its versatility. You don't need to save it for special occasions.
Try it:
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Drizzled over tomatoes, salads and fresh vegetables
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With crusty bread or bruschetta
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Over pasta just before serving
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With grilled seafood or meat
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Over soups and roasted vegetables
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As the base of a simple homemade dressing
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As a finishing touch to your favourite Mediterranean dishes
Sometimes all you need is good bread, good olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Discover Our Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oils
At Ferrara Italian, we offer Tenute Caracci Nocellara del Belice Extra Virgin Olive Oil in two sizes: 500ml and 750ml.
Both are made using 100% Nocellara del Belice olives from Sicily, bringing authentic Italian flavour straight to your pantry.
Tenute Caracci Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml
Produced in Partanna, Trapani, Sicily, this extra virgin olive oil is made exclusively from Nocellara del Belice olives. The olives are manually harvested and processed on the same day using a continuous cold extraction cycle below 26°C to help preserve their natural characteristics.
Its versatility makes it an excellent everyday choice for Mediterranean cooking, from salads and soups to croutons and roasts.
Tenute Caracci Nocellara del Belice Extra Virgin Olive Oil 750ml
For those who use olive oil regularly, the 750ml bottle gives you more of the same distinctive Sicilian olive variety.
Made from Nocellara del Belice olives, it is cold extracted, unfiltered and produced using mechanical extraction methods. Expect fresh herbal notes, delicate fruitiness and a pleasant peppery finish.
Use it for drizzling over salads, vegetables, bruschetta, grilled meats and seafood, or simply enjoy it with fresh bread.
Bring a Taste of Sicily to Your Kitchen
Choosing a good extra virgin olive oil doesn't have to be complicated. Look at where it comes from, the olive variety, how it's produced and how it's packaged.
Most importantly, choose an oil you enjoy using.
Whether you're preparing a family pasta dish, dressing a salad or simply dipping fresh bread, quality extra virgin olive oil is one of those pantry staples that can bring a little taste of Italy to everyday cooking.
Explore our range of authentic Italian food and pantry staples at Ferrara Italian.
