Page 94 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2024

94 SUMMER 2024 slovisitorsguide.com
Savor the flavor:
Taste local premium olive oils
Olive oil tasting involves smelling the
aroma of an oil, and then sipping it to
taste its positive attributes. Official tasters
drink the oil from dark blue glasses, to ensure
they can’t see the color of the olive oil (and be
influenced by an oil’s green or gold color).
Look for three qualities
Tasters should look for these three
positive attributes:
 Fruitiness: Any positive organic smell
or taste.
 Bitterness: A sign of freshness that is
usually tasted on the sides of the tongue.
 Pungency: A peppery, burning sensation
in the throat.
Not all olive oils have all three of the
attributes, but some should be present.Try it
for yourself!! Grab that bottle you’ve had in
the pantry for ages, and taste it to see if it’s
still good. Pour some into a wine glass– about
an inch or two high – cover the glass with one
hand while warming the base of the glass with
the other. Place your nose into the glass after
a minute and breathe in. Does it smell fruity,
like green apples, cut grass, or tomato leaf?
Great! Or does it smell unpleasant, like paint
thinner, bacon, or a musty cellar? In that case,
it’s probably defective and should be thrown
out.
Next, slurp in about a quarter of a tea-
spoon and let it sit on your tongue while you
breathe in. Finally, swallow a bit and look for
any signs of pepper in the throat. If an oil has
a greasy feeling on your tongue, it’s probably
past its prime.
Remember, olive oil is a fresh product,
much like a fruit juice. It needs to be used
within 24 months of when it’s made, and
it needs to be used within a few months of
opening the bottle.
Olivas De Oro
Local grower and producer of award-winning
olive oil. Enjoy olive oil, vinegar and artisan-
crafted food tastings and a rotating selection of
cheese & charcuterie. Located in Tin City, 2989 B
Limestone Way, Paso Robles. Open Daily 11-5, Fri
& Sat 11-6, olivasdeoro.com,
(805) 227-4223
SLO Olive
San Luis Obispo's only olive oil tasting room. Award
winning, locally sourced olive oils, Italian Balsamic
vinegar's and artisan specialty foods. Come in for a
complimentary tasting experience. 958 Higuera St.,
San Luis Obispo, sloolive.com, (805) 439-2455
We Olive
A retail shop & tasting spot at 1311 Park St.,
Paso Robles. Huge selection and friendly
knowledgeable staff. weolive.com,
(805) 239-7667