Here are the most common Puglian olive oils with Mediterranean essences: Lemon, Chili Pepper, Basil, Rosemary, Wild Fennel, Mandarin, etc.
We can say that flavored oil constitutes a new product for the Italian market and is already expanding rapidly, even though its consumption is not comparable to that of other countries where they are even preferred over pure oil for dressing dishes. Until a few years ago, it was possible to find almost exclusively a Mediterranean essence oil flavored with Puglian chili pepper, a product that has always been part of the Italian culinary tradition and that still ranks “top” in consumer preferences. Recently, a large number of oils with various Mediterranean flavoring, whether they are herbs or citrus fruits, truffles, garlic, or porcini mushrooms, have emerged alongside it, offering a range so broad that we can always uniquely characterize our dishes. The base of every flavored oil is, indeed, the oil, which can be extra virgin. The signature is added, represented by the fruit or branch whose essence is contained in the oil, which serves both to make the packaging visually appealing and to impart the aromatic character to the product.
The range of Puglian olive oils with Mediterranean essences is truly vast, with sizes ranging from 80 ml to 250 ml while the price range is quite broad. This variability mainly depends on the quality of the raw materials used; therefore, a package containing extra virgin olive oil and natural aromas extracted from plants grown according to organic farming principles and carefully selected will be priced higher than products that combine seed oil and synthetic fragrances. Regarding labeling, there is no clear and specific regulation in this regard, and this delicate aspect is left to the initiative and responsibility of individuals, as can be seen from the variability of the product names on the shelves. Generally, the most commonly used wording to define these products is “oil-based condiment…” while the list of ingredients includes the aromas and type of oil used. Preparing them at home is very simple, and the results are always satisfactory, provided that some basic rules are strictly followed:
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- firstly, it is important to use only fresh, whole, aromatic local herbs, preferably picked in the early morning;
- ensure that they have been grown in uncontaminated areas and are therefore safe from a hygiene and health perspective;
- after washing in cold water, dry the herbs thoroughly;
- preferably use extra virgin olive oil with a balanced fruity flavor;
- store the infusion in a cool and dark place;
- store the flavored oil in glass bottles.
Source: OLIO & AROMI texts curated by Maria Grazia Barone
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