Blog
Toast with EVOO & Tomato
The most common breakfast in Andalusia is, “Aceite y Tomate”, Olive oil and tomato. However, there are many variations to the theme and there is a definite art to ordering this breakfast in an Andalusian bar. The dance goes something like this: “Give me a half a village bread with tomato and oil”. Then the […]
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Fresh Apple Salmorejo
There is more to just cold soups of Spain than gazpacho. You can find fresh soups around Spain that use strawberries, watermelon, beets, cherries and even almonds. I have decided to play on a modern favorite, apple and arugala salmorejo. Salmorejo is much like gazpacho but is thicker and has less ingredients. A traditional salmorejo […]
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Seville Orange Hamentashen
It is Purim! The fun Jewish, carnival holiday of drinking, costumes and making noise. For most Jews, Purim would not be the same without the fabulous cookie known as the hamentashen, Although Sephardic Jews do not make hamentashen they do make other pastries like tea cookies and the ear of Hamen, known as pestiños […]
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The Segura y Mancha Family Citrus Olive Oil Cake
This citrus olive oil cake was served during the Segura y Mancha family Ancestral Event where family, friends and olive oil tasters come together to create the best coupage (a blend of EVOOs). For generations, the Segura y Mancha family has sat around after the harvest and milling to create the best blend of oils. […]
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Championship of Spanish Olive Oil Tasters held in Priego de Córdoba
There are few things on Earth that can bring people together like a good competition. During the 2010 World Cup, for example, bars across Spain overflowed with both nationals and foreigners cheering for their countries´ teams. In the end, some were disappointed, others were filled with a rare national pride, and a few couldn´t get […]
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Golden Andalusian Cocktails
When Brígida Jiménez, my mentor and one of the world´s best tasters, asked me and my husband to attend the presentation of an up and coming hojiblaca olive oil from Rute, Conde de Mirasol, I couldn´t say no. Just a few weeks prior, I had tasted this oil and my response was, “WOW”. Wow is […]
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Pairing EVOO with oranges
The World Olive Oil Exhibition was held this week in Madrid. The international event had over 60 exhibitors, an extensive oil bar, a business meeting point, gourmet products display area, cooking show, and two conference areas. International experts came to discuss topics such as trade, production and tasting. Dr. Maria Paz Aguilera was one of […]
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Spain and Italy: Ancient partners
Photo: Pepe Nieto As an Expert Olive Oil Taster, I am often asked why Spanish olive oil producers can sell their olive oil to Italy and be resold under an Italian label. The question is often a loaded one of blame and conspiracy as if the Spanish are selling out and the Italians are trying […]
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Jaen Selection: Best Spanish Picual EVOOs
Spain is the number one producer of olive oil in the world and the province of Jaen produces the largest amount in the country, mostly of the variety Picual. There are about 300 mills in the province that are dedicated to creating this golden oil. In the past years, many olive oil millers have made […]
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Orange Salmorejo
Salmorejo is an Andalusian favorite said to be originally from Cordoba. Much like gazpacho it is a cold soup often garnished with chopped ham and eggs. Salmorejo is usually found made from tomatoes, bread, garlic and olive oil. However, historically this cold soup was made from what ever vegetables or fruits were in season. This […]
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