The Ultimate Guide to the Olive Oil Martini: How to Fat Wash Gin, the Best Martini Olives & More

Pasolivo Olive Oil Fat Washed Gin Martini
There’s something undeniably chic about a martini. From the clean and crisp flavor to the iconic olive garnish, it’s easy to see why this cocktail has become a mainstay in the world of mixology. Are you a martini lover looking for a way to take your favorite drink to a whole new level of sophistication? Then allow us to introduce you to your new obsession: the olive oil martini.  Welcome to your ultimate guide to the olive oil martini (or “olive oil fat-washed martini”). We’ll dive into everything you need to know about this trendy twist on the classic: How to make an olive oil martini, how you can fat wash gin or vodka at home, which foods to pair your cocktail with, and much more. Read on for all the details.  What Is an Olive Oil Martini? An olive oil martini is a lot like a traditional martini, but with one big difference: Instead of standard gin, it’s made with olive oil fat-washed gin (or vodka, for those who prefer vodka martinis). Fat washing with olive oil gives the...

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

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?

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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The Serotonin Salad: Nourish Your Mental Wellness

Feel-Good Fuel About 90% of our serotonin is created in our stomach and intestines. It’s synthesized through the essential amino acid tryptophan which is sourced from our diet. It’s commonly found in chicken, eggs, dairy, fish, peanuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds, turkey, and soy products. Consuming high levels of tryptophan and other choice vitamins is a great way to improve mood stability and experience more joy. Talk about feel-good food! Based on these principles, I created The Serotonin Salad. It features ingredients high in tryptophan and a few other vitamins, minerals, and other compounds known to improve mental health. Let’s go over each featured ingredient and its effect on the brain. But First: What is Serotonin? Serotonin, A.K.A “the happy hormone,” is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between your nerve cells. It acts as a natural mood stabilizer. In addition to managing our emotional state, serotonin also plays a role in our ability to learn, form memories, control bowel movements, heal wounds, and regulate sleep and body temperature. Sourcing B-12 and Folic Acid B-12 and folic acid are essential vitamins...

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What are the Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

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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Pasolivo Pumpkin Recipes

The holidays are quickly approaching and nothing is more appropriate than pumpkin everything. Whether it's the new Pumpkin Spice Latte, carving or decorating a pumpkin, Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, Pumpkin Body Scrub, Pumpkin Candles, or everything in between, it's hard to step outside and not see something pumpkin related. We have hopped on the "Pumpkin Everything" trend and have created three pumpkin recipes for you to enjoy. Every recipe has a unique and creative twist and combines several Pasolivo products with your traditional pumpkin ingredients. We have adapted the recipe to include our Pasolivo olive oils, seasonings, salts, and honey. Whether it's our Granola Pumpkin Muffins, Pasolivo Pumpkin Pie, or Roasted Pumpkin with Walnut and Feta, we hope you and your loved ones can enjoy these recipes during this holiday season. Made using our Pasolivo Granola, our Granola Pumpkin Muffins combine our Tangerine Olive Oil with our Orange Blossom Honey and Sugar & Spice Blend (some like to call this blend our "Pumpkin Spice" blend) to add a delicious pumpkin taste. Enjoy these muffins year-round, on-the-go, or as a healthy breakfast...

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Back-to-School with Pasolivo

Back-to-School can be a busy time for both parents and children. As a parent, you want to know that your child is eating healthy and getting the proper nutrients. We have compiled a list of Back-to-School snacks for your children - whether it's something they take with them to school, or a snack they can have after school, Pasolivo wants to make back-to-school snacks as healthy and simple as possible. Made with a Pasolivo extra virgin olive oil of your choice, sweet honey, and salty seeds and nuts, you will love that our Pasolivo Granola is a healthy choice. You can also use the homemade mixture to create our Chewy Breakfast Bars and our Granola Bites.  (more…)

Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the Skin

Olive oil is commonly used in bath and body products as it is a natural moisturizer The health benefits of olive oil go far beyond how often we consume the product. In fact, it's common to have olive oil sitting in your medicine cabinet for anything besides drinking it. Olive oil has several uses, some of which you may not have known or heard of before. We have compiled some of the most common ways that olive oil can benefit your skin and prevent aging. (more…)