Category: Tips & Tricks

How Do I Know If My Olive Oil Is Real? Everything You Need to Know About Olive Oil Fraud

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Olive oil pouring from press into tasting cup
In November 2023, Spanish and Italian authorities arrested 11 suspects discovered to be involved in a fraudulent organized crime ring. During the international bust, they seized 12 barrels containing more than 260,000 liters of the most counterfeited item in all of Europe: olive oil. It became the latest seizure in a long-running, scandal-ridden history of olive oil fraud. Rich in antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and robust flavors, it’s easy to see why extra virgin olive oil has earned the nickname “liquid gold.” But for as long as this sought-after oil has been a culinary staple, it has also been the subject of widespread fraud.  It’s a trend that spans across the food industry as a whole, and it impacts everyday shoppers just like you.  Do you find yourself asking, "How can I tell if my olive oil is real?" Wondering how you can identify a high-quality olive oil and keep fake EVOOs out of your kitchen? Read on for details about why olive oil fraud matters, how to tell if your olive oil is real, and the steps we take at...

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What Are the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet?

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The Mediterranean Diet has been highly regarded and recommended by physicians for decades. This culturally focused healthy-eating pattern is known for its miraculous effect on cardiovascular health. There are many other benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, which includes foods like fish, veggies, and, of course, extra virgin olive oil. Why does the Mediterranean Diet come so highly recommended? Read on to learn more about its origins, what it includes, and how it can help you feel your healthiest. Plus, get your Mediterranean Diet meal plan with healthy recipes. Origins of the Mediterranean Diet The term “Mediterranean Diet” originates from a medical study conducted by Ancel Keys in the 1950s called The Seven Countries Study. This research compared the diet and cardiovascular health of cohorts from the USA, Finland, former Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Japan over the course of 50 years. Keys and his team found that populations in Greece and Italy had 39% lower risk for coronary mortality, and 29% lower risk for cardiovascular mortality compared to the U.S. This phenomenon was attributed to the dietary habits of the...

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Baking with Olive Oil: Your Essential Guide

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Baking with olive oil can be tricky. Let’s go over the ground rules. Baking is temperamental and precise. I don’t enjoy the process; I find it tedious and restrictive. So many rules, less opportunity for customization. I know there are a lot of chefs/home cooks that would agree with me on that one! Customizing baking recipes is always a gamble– one small adjustment and the entire recipe is thrown off. It’s food science; One must understand the ingredients, their properties, and the role they play in the recipe before swapping out this for that. Let’s talk baking with olive oil! Here are the fundamentals: You can almost always swap oil for oil. Extra virgin olive oil is a fantastic heart-healthy alternative to vegetable or seed oil. Swapping EVOO for another oil will have no effect on the final texture of whatever dish you’re creating UNLESS the oil you intend to replace is Crisco or lard. Since they’re saturated fats and solid at room temperature, it’s not a good swap. Olive oil will perform differently due to density. Only use EVOO...

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Valentine Date Night Guide

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  How to Host a Romantic Italian-Style Dinner The Pasolivo Valentine Date Night Guide There's no better to way to show affection than by cooking a meal for that special someone. Food is love, after all. Show your Valentine how much you care by putting together a beautifully romantic, thoughtful meal they'll never forget with a little bit of help from Pasolivo. Follow along to learn the ins and outs of hosting a formal, romantic dinner for your S.O. You'll be a pro by the end of this article!   Setting the scene Ambiance is everything. Creating the mood is the first and arguably most important part of hosting a dinner for your valentine. Here's some tips for establishing the Italian dinner party vibe:  No overhead lighting– stick to candles and lamps. You want to create a soft, ambient glow. These mini candles fit perfectly on the dinner table, and add a layer of warmth to the scene. Pull your best table cloth out of the linen closet– or how about one of these Parisian table runners as featured above? These are...

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Olive Oil Tasting in Paso Robles: What to Expect

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Olive oil tasting at Pasolivo in Paso Robles, CA
Many people are very familiar with wine tasting, but did you know that you can do olive oil tasting, too? Paso Robles wine country is known for its amazing wines, but it is home to award-winning, California olive oil producers, too. When you are looking for things to do in Paso Robles, we highly recommend stopping by to experience an olive oil tasting at one of our two locations: Downtown Paso Robles and the Pasolivo Ranch. Pasolivo goes above and beyond when it comes to tasting olive oils. You are welcome to taste as many oils as you like (sometimes there are as many as 16 olive oils on the tasting flight). The oils are paired with different vinegars and balsamic as well as spices and salts as well. The Pasolivo associates enjoy sharing recipe ideas and ways to use the various products. For a full olive oil tasting experience, we recommend coming out to the ranch on the acclaimed Vineyard Drive, nestled in the Paso hills. You will enjoy the beautiful drive with many breathtaking views along the way....

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What are the Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

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Award Winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil
What are the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil? Regular intake of extra virgin olive oil has been associated with a variety of benefits that increase life expectancy and mitigate the signs of aging. Over the past decade, researchers from around the world have uncovered increasingly more evidence about the wide range of health benefits and why high-quality olive oil can extend human lifespan. In this blog, we will highlight five major health benefits of extra virgin olive oil as well as the best olive oil you can buy for your health. Lowers “Bad” Cholesterol Top quality olive oil is loaded with antioxidants that naturally lower the body’s “bad” cholesterol.  Bodies need a healthy amount of cholesterol, but much of the fat-like substance is dangerous. High-quality extra virgin olive oil contains high density lipoproteins (HDL), a “good” cholesterol that helps remove too much of the body's low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, from oxidizing in the body. Lowers Blood Pressure Several studies have shown olive oil lowers blood pressure because of its heart-healthy antioxidants called polyphenols. However, not all...

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How to Bake with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Olive Oil Cake
Curious about how to bake with extra virgin olive oil? You aren't the only one! Olive oil cakes are nothing new, but they’re becoming more and more popular for several reasons. Extra virgin olive oil is a wonderful alternative to butter and other cooking oils because of its nutritional benefits and unique flavor. It’s also a great way to keep your baked goods moist. In this blog, we explain when to use it, how to bake with it, and why you are going to love it.  What’s the Best Kind of Olive Oil for Baking? Quality and flavor are critical when selecting an olive oil for baking. Extra virgin olive oil or EVOO is always going to be the best option because it comes from the first pressing, which means more health benefits and more flavor. For baking, we suggest using a mild extra virgin olive oil that’s buttery, fruity and not so bitter - like our Pasolivo Cucina Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you are looking to add a dash of flavor to your baked items, you can also...

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