How to store Olive Oil

4.7.2019

ALL THE TIPS TO CONSERVE OLIVE OIL

From the supermarket to the table, but also to the restaurant, here’s what to pay attention to.

1 – Darkness is the best friend of the oil

Excess lighting affects the quality of extra virgin olive oil. Prevent the oil bottle from being exposed directly to the sun or any type of artificial light.

Safety

2 – Keep it cool

Temperature is essential to maintain the properties and taste of the oil. The ideal is to preserve the precious “green gold” at a temperature neither too hot nor too cold.

3 – Watch out for air currents

It is always a good idea to close, carefully, the cap after use, in order to avoid the danger of oxidation.

Genuine

4 – Watch the deadline

On each bottle the date on which it is preferable to consume oil (12-18 months) is always indicated. Usually consumption date cannot exceed 24 months.

5 – Far from impregnating odors

Like all fats, the oil works a bit like a sponge. It is therefore good to keep it away from cans of paint, very fragrant detergents, local with mold or saturated with smoke.

6 – If put outside the home, pay attention to the container

Old olive oil cruets are prohibited by law, in favor of bottles with anti-refill caps. A bottle pack of dark glass is the preferred one.

7 – Pay attention to an abnormal color 

The oil can be of various shades ranging from golden yellow to bright green, but it cannot be red-orange.

Cold pressed Olive Oil

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS

For a proper conservation, you need to follow some precautions, which should be taken to avoid damaging EVO, especially if organic.

In order not to alter its nutraceutical potential, it should be remembered that both EVOO (organic EVO) and EVO is very demanding and prefer:

• To       be stored at a temperature between 14 and 18 degrees; while, it does not tolerate high temperatures or near or below zero;

• To be kept in small (maximum 500 milliliters) well-closed containers, always clean, of glass (opaque or dark), porcelain or stainless steel, in cool places and away from aromatic contamination.

Good

Although tin is a good compromise for short periods, food grade plastic should never be used.

Please, do not put EVO in contact with oxygen and for this reason do not let it remain for a long time in empty containers, even if hermetically sealed.

The Wild Origan of Calabria

27.6.2019

THE MORE WANTED BETWEEN 50 EXISTING TYPES

Origan, an aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is very common in the Mediterranean basin. It seems that there are more than 50 species, but the most sought after and used in the culinary field is the wild oregano that grows spontaneously under the Calabria sun, nearby the plateau of Mount Poro, a splendid place near to the major touristic attractions of Calabria: Capo Vatican and Tropea.

Sight of Mount Poro

The word origan comes from the Greek “oros”, which means mountain and “ganos” which means splendor. Its meaning is, therefore, “mountain splendor”, and these two adjectives and qualities has been attributed to the plant for its grace and abundance of its flowers.

Fields near Tropea are full of Origan

Origan is widely used in typical Calabrian recipes and is omnipresent in the cuisine like the Tropea onion inside tomato salads,  which in summer are both one of the most common side dishes on Calabrian tables.

Sight of Tropea

Origan is an aromatic plant very common in the Mediterranean basin. It seems that harvest for culinary aims began spontaneously since times of so called Magna Graecia under the Calabria sun, nearby the plateau of Mount Poro. Now, it is easy buying Origan in bunches in little shops in the major touristic attractions of Calabria: Capo Vatican and Tropea.

Leafs of Origan

The origan comes from the mountains as the Greek “oros” tells. The plant is a sort of decoration for the mountain, this explains the term “ganos” (inside the name) which means splendor. Its meaning, “mountain splendor” recalls the grace and abundance of its flower heads.

A Bunch of Origan

Origan is omnipresent in typical Calabrian recipes, side dishes and sauces of Calabrian cuisine.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

In Calabria, origan is harvested mainly in June, when the plant flourishes. The typical Calabrian use requires drying immediately after harvest: after having formed some nice bunches, the herb should be dried upside down in a dry place away from the sun and stored in paper bags.

Splendid Leafs

Unlike all other aromatic plants, origan is the only one to reach its maximum fragrance after drying.

Abundantly used in aromatherapy, its infusions are an excellent remedy for coughs and digestive disorders.

Sight of Capo Vaticano