Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Tasting

Yes - a tasting!

Doesn't sound like something you want to stand around and sip?

It was a ton of fun!

A local resident recently opened up a new shop where she sells pure olive oils from Australia, California, Spain, and Argentina, Balsamics from Italy, freshly ground spices, and sea salts. 

At our Litwits book club discussion last month we were all talking about it, but none of us had stopped by yet.  I took the assignment to check it out, and then I set up a special tasting for last night. 

The website includes a blog about quality oils and vinegars. 

Apparently there are good and "bogus" ones.  I know very little about this topic, but am fascinated by the new world that has opened up.  There are even olive oil awards and competitions.  It's treated as seriously as wines.  Really interesting.

A bunch of us got together last night for a special tasting.

We tried all sorts of olive oil varieties from mild to robust and infused flavored oils.

I knew very little about how good a quality olive oil can taste, but I do now!

We also enjoyed Balsamic vinegars.  I had never heard of these varieties where real fruit is added to the vinegar.  They are fantastic and now I know a lot more uses for Balsamic Vinegar.  I think we tasted 7 or 8 - Thomas more than anyone.  The Dark Chocolate was great.  I liked the fruit ones as well.

The first time I stopped by I purchased the Arbosana Premium EVOO (mild, from California), and the Fig Balsamic Vinegar.  We've been drizzling the fig over strawberries at supper.  It's really, really good.

I knew when I took Thomas along that he would love tasting them all and he really got into it.

He chose the Blood Orange olive oil for me to drizzle over tilapia (his favorite dish), and he chose the Cinnamon-Pear balsamic vinegar for fruit.  He made some good selections!

A fun evening with friends and my baby.