When most people think about tasting, they imagine swirling glasses of wine. But olive oil deserves its own ritual too. Learning to taste olive oil like a professional will open up a whole new world of flavour and help you appreciate just how much care goes into every bottle of Solo Olives.

Start by pouring a small amount into a stemless glass or tasting cup. Cup the glass in your hands and gently warm the oil for a minute; this helps release its aromatic compounds. Swirl the oil so it coats the sides, then bring the glass to your nose. Inhale deeply. High-quality extra virgin olive oil should smell vibrant – think freshly cut grass, green tomatoes, herbs, or even artichokes. Our most recent harvests have hints of green almond and wildflowers.

Take a small sip, letting the oil spread across your tongue. Hold it there and then draw in a breath through your teeth. This “stripping” aerates the oil and brings out its complex flavours. Pay attention to three elements: fruitiness, bitterness and pepperiness. Fruitiness comes first; bitterness follows as a pleasant, grassy note; and pepperiness lingers at the back of your throat. With Solo Olives you may notice a gentle kick – that’s the sign of abundant polyphenols and fresh harvest.

Feel free to repeat this ritual with different harvests or oils from different groves. You’ll be amazed at how terroir, varietal and time of harvest change the profile. And remember: there are no wrong answers. Trust your senses and enjoy the process. We love tasting with a slice of plain bread or a crisp vegetable to cleanse the palate between oils.

If you’d like to join us for our next tasting shipment, make sure you’re on our mailing list. We’ll let you know as soon as the new oil arrives from Umbria, so you can taste it at its most vibrant and compare notes like a true pro.