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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Valentine Date Night Guide

  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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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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How to Bake with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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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Start 2018 off right with healthy Pasolivo products

Our Award-Winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil Collection The new year comes with new goals, new mindsets, new ideas, and new achievements. Start 2018 off right with a new focus on a healthier YOU. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a huge part of a healthier diet. Extra Virgin signifies the highest quality of olive oil based on internationally recognized standards. In California, there is an Extra Virgin Certification program (COOC) that ensures that the oil you buy is, in fact, extra virgin. (more…)

7 Reasons why Pasolivo makes the perfect Corporate Gift

It is that time of year where you are looking for a one-of-a-kind corporate gift, something that is customized or hand-selected, luxurious yet affordable, award-winning or certified, and makes a lasting impression. So why choose Pasolivo when it comes to the ideal Corporate Gift? We have listed out 7 reasons (although there are so many more!) on why Pasolivo makes the perfect Corporate Gift: (more…)

Harvest 2017 Recap

Here at Pasolivo, harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year! This process only happens once a year and lasts anywhere from 2-3 weeks. If you have ever wondered how olives get turned into olive oil, we have all of the equipment and tools needed for this process at the Pasolivo Ranch. All of our olives are grown, picked, and milled on-site and we do not use any chemicals or heat which is required of true extra virgin olive oil. The first step in this process is picking the olives. Here at Pasolivo, we have over 6,500 olive trees on our property and 11 different olive varieties. Every day we have a minimum of 80 people hand-picking. Olives are moved by tractor to the mill where they are unloaded into the hopper. The olives are lined up and ready to be milled (more…)