Writing this down...……….;)

Since reading about olive oil fraud, I've been buying the California Olive Ranch olive oil. I know it's in Publix; can't remember where else it is.

We don't fry anything, so no really high heat, and this oil is good for most everything, from salad dressings to sautéing.

Ancient Olive store has some interesting varieties (grassy, a little spicy, mild). I've not looked up where their oil comes from. But for everyday use, we use the California brand. I buy small quantities and keep it in the dark pantry or in the fridge.

There's a lot of fraud olive oil out there in terms of extra virgin, even name brands like Bertolli, Carapelli, Colavita, Star, Pompeian. I tried to post a link, but it was a million lines long.

I am using their "Everyday" EVOO right now. I believe that Winn Dixie also carries it. I used to be able to get their "Arbequina" variety at Fresh Market.

Olive oil lasts a very long time. I get the Pastene in a 3L tin and have never had it go bad. I order it from their web site along with San Marzno ground tomatoes. Makes the best marinara sauce.

I keep the olive oil tin in the wine cellar at 57 degrees and it never gets rancid. I usually order once a year so it lasts a long time. As was noted above, olive oil should not be used for high heat cooking. Never let it smoke. But for saute anything it works great. ie making a soup where you start with onions, carrots and celery sauted, olive oil is much better then most other oils.

Ever wonder where Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from?

Extra ugly olives.

Well now that I think about it and I am a good deal older, I think that virginity is somewhat overrated.

Now... That's funny.

I’m going to guess your from the Boston area? Pastene brands were always big in the North East. Going way back when I was in my 20s I worked in sales one of our lines was Pastene wines.

Until a few years ago I had no idea some of the Olive oil from Italy was controlled by the underworld.

My oil comes from a family in Italy that comes from a close friend. Couple times a year I get oil and wine with hand written labels. I do not use this to cook with, it’s for drizzling.

I have never found anything that comes close.

A friend brings some back from Greece. I have no idea what it says on the label since I can't read that alphabet. Greek olive oil is pretty good though, if you can get it. I use it to make my scampi, my salad dressing, and to "dress" my roasted potatoes. I use crappola oil for everything else.

We also use Greek olive oil, imported by a family member.

California Olive Ranch EVOO is on sale this week at Publix. It's $5 for a half-liter bottle.

Kirkland Olive Oil at Costco - Southern Living

The last big scandal with Mafia Olive Oil, was when they mixed anti-freeze with it, and the stuff killed a few people!

No shame at all. However, real olive oil, as mentioned in various reports of late, (see Consumer Reports), has health benefits that the other cooking oils do not. For example, real olive oil helps to lower your ldl levels (aka "lousy cholesterol" levels).