Page 89 - SLO Visitors Guide - Fall 2024

slovisitorsguide.com FALL 2024 89
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 at-
tributes, 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 prob-
ably defective and should be thrown out.
Next, slurp in about a quarter of a teaspoon
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