What Kind of Oil is Best for Cooking?

Cooking with oil is as easy as pouring a some into a pan, right? Well, yes and no. Even though you can technically cook with any kind of oil, there are important factors to consider when getting that meal ready.

In this article, we’re going to be taking a deep dive into the wonderful world of olive oil and it’s competitors to discuss the benefits of the various options. If you haven’t read our comprehensive information about cooking with olive oil yet, you can read it here (link to cooking with olive oil page).

The Different Kinds of Oil

Whether you’re a long-time olive oil fan or just now learning about it’s holistic (and tasty) benefits, you probably know that there’s a lot of cooking oil options available.

To help make your trip to the supermarket a little easier, we’re going to give you a quick lesson on all the different types so you can buy with confidence.

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest quality and best type of olive oil you can buy. Made using the strictest of standards, EVOO is produced explicitly from the first cold press of olives.

In fact, there are multiple international organizations that monitor and inspect the production methods used at companies producing EVOO. By controlling the temperature at which the olives are pressed and minimizing processing down to basics such as bottling, extra virgin olive oil is able to retain nearly all of its beneficial compounds by the time it reaches shelves.

This is the primary reason EVOO will be the darkest in color and most robust in flavor of the different types of olive oil. While extra virgin olive oil reigns as the healthiest of the olive oils you can buy. Depending on the variety that you buy it there are event different smoke points for cooking. Stop into our store and one of our associates can help you choose the best oil for you cooking needs.

Even if you don’t typically cook at high heats with olive oil, you can still enjoy some of the most popular ways to use it including drizzling over dishes, using it as a dip, making marinades, and for salad dressings thanks to the distinctive, pronounced flavors.

2. Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is easily one of the most common and affordable cooking oils found on the market today. Encompassing any kind of oil that comes from a plant-based source, the health benefits that vegetable oil offers can range widely depending on the source and how it’s used.

Most commonly, vegetable oil is produced from a blend of canola, corn, peanut, soy, safflower, and palm oil, to name a few. Sometimes a bottle will specify if the oil comes from one specific source, but, most times, vegetable oil is blended with any number of other oils to get the final product you see on shelves.

In fact, vegetable oil didn’t start gaining traction in the market until the early 1900’s to answer the rising demand for cheap/affordable fats. For this very reason, vegetable oil is easily the most highly processed oil you’ll find on supermarket shelves.

The end result is a cooking oil that’s high in polyunsaturated fats which are very susceptible to oxidation during the cooking process. So, even though you can find “healthier” vegetable oils, many health professionals have begun to err on the side of caution or even recommend substituting vegetable oil altogether.

3. Coconut Oil

In recent years, coconut oil has been caught up in a heated debate that often leaves consumers to either fully embrace it or completely avoid it. Coconut oil is largely composed of saturated fats, which is one of the reasons medical professionals have suggested it’s an unhealthy fat.

While this is generally true with saturated fats, coconut oil is actually comprised of the healthier form of saturated fat that can help to raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Of course, many experts don’t recommend using coconut oil as your primary cooking oil since the jury is still out on the long-term effects coconut oil can have on your health

It’s also worth mentioning that, while coconut oil has been shown to help raise HDL levels, other healthy oils, such as olive oil, have been shown to both lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol levels.

Fat content aside, coconut oil has a higher smoke point than most of the other oils on this list and also packs a flavorful punch that will often transfer to the food you’re cooking.

4. Canola Oil

Often considered as the most popular type of vegetable oil, canola oil is actually made from an artificial plant that was engineered to create an edible version of rapeseed. Since its creation, canola oil has gone through dozens of variations to improve seed quality and streamline the production process.

In addition to being used as cooking oil by consumers, canola crops and oil are commonly used as animal feed and a diesel alternative. On the surface, the fat profile of canola oil – largely consisting of monounsaturated fats – appears to be perfectly healthy.

However, when you learn more about the synthetic chemicals used during the manufacturing process, a different image gets painted. The high heat used to produce canola oil can negatively impact the polyunsaturated fats and even create small amounts of artificial trans fats.

Another drawback to regularly cooking with canola oil is the high fat content of omega-6. Even though omega-6 is perfectly healthy and essential when consumed in moderation with omega-3, too much omega-6 is thought to contribute to a variety of different diseases.

5. Grapeseed Oil

Over the past few decades, grapeseed oil has been thought of as an affordable (and still healthy) alternative to extra virgin olive oil due to its high concentration of polyunsaturated fats. Made from the seeds of grapes, which are typically thrown out during the winemaking process, the oil is usually extracted with chemicals, through some use the much healthier cold press method of production.

Similar to canola oil, grapeseed oil’s high concentration of polyunsaturated fats, which are mainly omega-6 fats are thought to increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. Grapeseed oil’s relatively high smoke point is another reason it’s often advertised as a good oil to cook with.

However, health professionals advise against this selling point due to grapeseed oil’s high concentration of polyunsaturated fats, which are known to react with oxygen at high levels of heat and create harmful free radicals. In light of this information, grapeseed oil is actually one of the worst oils you can cook with, especially when frying.

6. Peanut Oil

Though at first, you may not think peanuts contain much oil, peanut oil ranks as one of the most popular cooking oils in the world. Similar to olive oil, there are several varieties of peanut oil that you can find (refined, cold pressed, gourmet, blends, etc.).

Depending on the production method, peanut oils have a range in flavor from very mild to sweet and nutty, making it a popular choice in asian cuisine. With a high smoke point when compared to other oils, peanut oil is widely used to fry foods – which also makes it prone to oxidation.

When heated to high temperatures and for a prolonged period of time, peanut oil can become prone to oxidation which leads to the formation of free radicals and other harmful compounds. In fact, the high concentration of polyunsaturated fats in peanut oil are the most at risk of becoming oxidized.

Even though peanut oil is commonly advertised with a high smoke point, there are other, healthier cooking oil options that have a much higher resistance to oxidation. Another factor to take into consideration with peanut oil is the high concentration of Omega-6 fatty acids, which, in unbalanced doses, can increase the body’s sensitivity to inflammation.

Start Cooking With Olive Oil Today

Now that you’ve got the rundown on everything related to cooking with oil, are you ready to put all this knowledge to use? Lucky for you, we have an extensive selection of ultra premium and flavored olive oils that we carry both in-store and online.

Give us a call or swing by in-person to have one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members get your kitchen stocked with the olive oil you’ve been looking for.

October 7, 2019

Is Olive Oil Bad For You?

Despite having long been considered the healthiest oil on the planet, in recent years, olive oil has come under fire. As with almost every other healthy food, new studies are attempting to debunk olive oil’s abundance of health claims.

Understanding this can be frustratingly confusing for consumers, we’ve decided to address this lingering question once and for all. Join us as we take an in-depth look at the numerous, proven reasons olive oil continues to stand as the healthiest oil you can incorporate in your diet.

1. Olive Oil is High in Monounsaturated Fats

One of the main arguments that skeptics like to use in making a case against olive oil is that monounsaturated fats can still contribute to atherosclerosis. While it’s certainly true that monounsaturated fats can lead to arterial and heart problems when consumed in large amounts, any fat consumed in large amounts will do exactly the same.

What makes the monounsaturated fats in olive oil so healthy is the beneficial properties that other fats are lacking. Oleic acid, the primary monounsaturated fat found in olive oil has been shown in multiple studies to help reduce inflammation in the body.

Additionally, monounsaturated fats are well known to raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol, helping to mitigate the risk of heart disease and stroke. Lastly, monounsaturated fats are naturally resistant to heat, making olive oil the perfect oil to cook with, especially when compared to alternative oils.

2. Olive Oil is Packed With Antioxidants

Another way that skeptics try to take a swing at olive oil is by proclaiming that all plant-based foods are packed with polyphenols and sterols, and therefore you should avoid incorporating olive oil in your diet. While it’s certainly true that most plant-based foods have naturally high levels of polyphenols and sterols so long as they undergo minimal to no processing, that doesn’t mean they can or should replace olive oil in your diet.

Because extra virgin olive oil is the least processed of the various types of olive oil you can buy, it preserves all of its natural antioxidants and beneficial compounds. By comparison, since most other oils are heavily processed, they have little to no beneficial properties or antioxidants.

The antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil offer a variety of health benefits that have been proven by multiple studies. In fact, the phenolic compounds in combination with vitamin E have been shown to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis.

3. Olive Oil Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Scientists have long known that chronic inflammation in the body can contribute to the development of a variety of different diseases. Because recent studies have also found that high fat diets increase inflammatory markers in the body, many olive oil skeptics have jumped to the conclusion that consuming olive oil in your diet must do the same thing.

As it turns out, olive oil has multiple anti-inflammatory properties that are well documented with research. Tying into point number two, antioxidants take center stage once again, largely contributing to olive oil’s anti-inflammatory effects.

One phenolic compound in particular, oleocanthal, has been shown to work similarly to one of the most common OTC medications, ibuprofen. Though more research still needs to be done, another study found evidence suggesting that the antioxidants in olive oil actually inhibit genes and proteins that are known to drive inflammation.

If that’s still not enough evidence, further studies have found that oleic acid, the primary monounsaturated fat in olive oil, actually reduces CRP (C-reactive protein), an important inflammatory marker in the body. Together, all of the studies and evidence are largely in support of olive oil’s anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Olive Oil Helps Prevent Heart Disease

The latest study that olive oil skeptics have been using to make a case in their defense relates to vasoconstriction that occurs after eating a meal high in fat. Despite the study showing evidence that olive oil and other fats can cause arterial constriction for a limited amount of time, they were unable to prove that vasoconstriction was causing any damage to the arteries.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are hundreds of studies continuing to find supportive evidence that olive oil actually helps prevent heart disease, not cause it. As the leading cause of death in the world, studies have time and time again found that individuals following the Mediterranean diet (of which olive oil is one of the primary ingredients) have drastically reduced rates of heart disease.

Even more convincingly and in direct opposition of Dr. Vogel’s recent findings, dozens of studies have shown that olive oil not only lowers inflammation, but that it prevents LDL cholesterol from becoming oxidized, may prevent blood clotting, and decreases blood pressure while improving endothelial function.

In further support of olive oil’s protective properties, another study found that olive oil was able to reduce the need for blood pressure medication by an impressive 48%, one of the worst risk factors for heart disease.

Our Conclusions

Having only just scratched the surface of olive oil’s numerous health benefits, the overwhelming amount of evidence and research in support of these claims leave little room for doubt. Here at D’Olivo, we’ve made it our mission and passion to introduce any and everyone we come in contact with to the deliciously holistic world of olive oil.

That is why we firmly believe that olive oil is and will continue to be the healthiest oil you can incorporate into your diet. There are lots of great options, both regular and flavored olive oils, to choose from that will make any dish delicious.

July 23, 2019July 3, 2019

9 Things You Didn’t Know About Olive Oil

It’s all too easy to take olive oil for granted. Even though most people know that olive oil is more healthy than other alternatives (such as canola or vegetable oil), it’s still rarely viewed as more than a cooking ingredient.

Here at D’Olivo, we’ve made it our life mission to open the eyes of all we come in contact with and introduce them to the holistic (and delicious) world of olive oil. Think you know a lot about olive oil? We’re about to test your knowledge with 10 fun facts (some of which we didn’t even know!)

1. 11 Pounds of Olives = 1 Quart of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

You read that correctly – 11 POUNDS of freshly picked olives are needed to produce just one quart (32 ounces) of extra virgin olive oil. To further put that into perspective, most mature olive trees will only produce 33-44 pounds of olives each growing season.

That means each tree is only capable of producing between 3-4 quarts of extra virgin olive oil every year. This is one of the reasons EVOO fetches a higher price tag than other olive variants such as “light” or “pure”.

Because extra virgin olive oil is only made using oil obtained from the first press, growers can only produce so much each year.

2. The Average Olive Tree Lives For 300-600 Years

Since we were on the topic of olive trees, we figured we’d share the impressive life span these rather normal looking trees boast. Depending on where you get your olive oil from and the brand you buy, you could potentially be consuming olive oil from a tree that’s been around for 5+ generations!

It’s also worth noting that olive trees take years before they even begin producing fruit that can be used to make olive oil. Depending on the type of tree being grown, olive farmers may have to wait for as little as 3 years or as long as 12 years before they can use the fruit.

3. Flavor Directly Relates to Antioxidant Content

Have you ever tasted olive oil that was particularly….olive-y in flavor? If so, there’s a good chance it was extra virgin olive oil. As with many foods and ingredients in the culinary world, olives retain more flavor when they’re processed less.

Another added benefit of minimal processing is a higher concentration of beneficial properties – namely, antioxidants. In addition to being extremely healthy, antioxidants lend a distinctive bitterness to olive oil, which can be used to help distinguish between higher quality oils.

4. Olive Oil Lowers LDL & Raises HDL Cholesterol

When most people hear the word cholesterol, they automatically think it’s bad. This is only true when referring to LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein). When you have too much LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, you enter a higher risk of developing a harmful buildup of plaque in the arteries.

On the other hand, HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) is good for you since it helps eliminate LDL cholesterol. Incorporating olive oil in your diet on a regular basis can help ensure your cholesterol profile remains healthy.

5. Greeks Consume 5.5 Gallons of Olive Oil Each Year

Coming out to just under a quarter cup of olive oil each day, Greeks easily top the chart when it comes to olive oil consumption. By comparison, the average US citizen consumes only ⅓ of a gallon of olive oil each year.

Even though that may seem like a lot of oil to consume in a single year, research has time and time again found Greeks to be some of the healthiest people on the planet. This is why the Mediterranean diet has become such a popular staple.

6. Olive Oil Has Anti-Cancer Properties

Because olive oil has been shown to be so beneficial in many areas of health, some may not be surprised to learn that it also has anti-cancer properties. In fact, olive oil has been found to have numerous anti-cancer agents, most of which come in the form of antioxidants.

Researchers became interested in olive oil relating to cancer when they discovered that populations largely sticking to the Mediterranean diet have some of the lowest instances of cancer on the planet.

7. Olive Oil Can Extend the Shelf Life of Baked Goods

Have you ever baked a large batch of cookies, muffins, or even bread only to find that the majority has gone bad before you eat it? As it turns out, by simply replacing butter or margarine in your baking recipes, you can dramatically increase the shelf life of your baked goods.

The vitamin E rich nature of olive oil helps to preserve freshness so you can enjoy your tasty muffins long after they’ve come out of the oven. However, because olive oil carries a stronger taste than butter, we recommend using only half the suggested amount.

8. Olive Oil May Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

Once again, those who regularly follow the Mediterranean diet also display some of the lowest instances of high blood pressure. Though research has yet to find any definitive reason for the link between olive oil consumption and low blood pressure, tens of thousands around the world have enjoyed this healing benefit.

In fact, some patients that have high blood pressure are able to reduce the number of medications they take by simply adding olive oil to their diets.

9. Green and Black Olives Are Actually The Same
The only difference between green and black olives is the level of ripeness when they’re harvested. Green olives are harvested early on so that they keep their signature green coat, while black olives are left on the tree for a longer period of time.

As an olive ripens, it begins to lose its green color and takes on a spectrum ranging from dark purple to black depending on when the farmer chooses to harvest. All of that being said, there is a difference in taste between green and black olives.

Green olives tend to be a little more on the bitter side while black olives contain more oil and less salt.

July 9, 2019July 3, 2019

10 Delicious Ways to Use Balsamic Vinegar This Summer

Without a little culinary creativity, a bottle of balsamic vinegar can end up hibernating in your pantry for months on end. Even though you know it tastes great, balsamic vinegar is a little tough to work with when trying to figure out where it can fit into a recipe.

With the summer months upon us, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite ways to use balsamic vinegar this season. Ready to dive into the deliciously creative world of balsamic vinegar? Let’s go!

1. Try it in a Cocktail

As craft cocktails continue to become more popular, it may come as a surprise that balsamic vinegar can be used to add an exciting zing to some of your favorite libations. Whether you prefer sangrias, bellinis, or even bloody marys, a few drops of balsamic vinegar can bring an exciting twist to classic cocktails across the spectrum.

After all, what better way to relax and cool off during the hot summer months than by indulging in some refreshing balsamic vinegar-inspired cocktail? Try this recipe for fun!

2. Marinate Different Meats

Because balsamic vinegar packs such a flavorful punch, it makes for the perfect marinade. Brushing a generous layer over steak and letting it sit in the fridge for a few hours before grilling is one of our favorite ways to use balsamic vinegar as a marinade. You can also use it in combination with other marinades to further enhance the flavors that meats such as chicken will take on while soaking.

3. Summer Time Salad Dressings

Even though balsamic vinegar-based dressings can be used year round, why not change things up during the summer months? By simply adding some citrus zest and flavors to your favorite balsamic vinegar dressing recipe, you can instantly add a refreshing zing that will have all of your guests raving.

For the best results, we suggest using orange and lime zest, or even some raspberry to figure out what flavors you like best.

4. Use It As A Glaze

Are you a fan of thick, flavor packed glazes that can instantly elevate even the most basic of meals to a feast fit for kings? We don’t recommend reducing the balsamics you purchase from our store, but you can get the same glaze and excellent flavor from our Denissimo balsamic vinegar. This delicious treat is naturally aged for 30 years and gives the same flavor packed punch you can get from reduction.

5. A Strawberry’s Best Friend

Strawberries are a summertime staple no matter where you go. Their bright red color, sweet, succulent flavor, and ability to be served as a snack or compliment to ice cream make them the perfect partner for balsamic vinegar. The savory, slightly bitter flavor of balsamic vinegar works wonderfully with the sweet tartness of strawberries.

Simply drizzle some over fresh cut strawberries with a touch of sugar, or even with a bowl of ice cream and some whipped cream.

6. Sauteed Brussel Sprouts

Brussel sprouts have been all the craze lately in the culinary world. If you’ve become a fan of these tasty little morsels, add your own tasty twist by drizzling a little balsamic vinegar into the sautéing pan a few minutes before they finish cooking. This will give it enough time to thicken into a glaze while also adhering nicely to the brussels.

With this simple recipe, you can play around with all kinds of fun additions since brussels sprouts tend to adapt very well to a wide range of flavors.

7. Make Your Flatbread Fancy

Flatbreads are another summertime essential that you’ll soon see making their way onto the menus of restaurants around Walla Walla. Whether indulging at a restaurant or from the comfort of your own home, balsamic vinegar serves as the perfect topping for flatbreads. Our personal favorite is the caprese flatbread, but balsamic vinegar can easily introduce a fancy look and taste to just about any of the recipes.

Of course, it doesn’t stop there! Make a balsamic vinegar reduction like we covered above to really bring out the flavors.

8. Mix Some Into Your Yogurt

Do you love snacking on yogurt, but find yourself getting tired of the same old flavors from your local grocery store? Depending on your personal preference and mood from day to day, balsamic vinegar (or reduction) is a quick and easy way to change bland yogurt into a snack of pure decadence. With just a few drops and a quick swirl of the spoon, we’re confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Sprinkle in some granola and sliced strawberries if you’re feeling really adventurous. This is a great dish for impressing guests while you relax in the shade.

9. Balsamic Avocado

If you’re a fan of avocado, you’re going to love this tasty tip. Because avocado packs very little taste by itself, balsamic vinegar makes for the perfect partner by bringing a huge flavor profile. The best part? You can prepare this combination any number of ways. Whether you prefer eating avocado in slices, peeled, or even mashed into guacamole, you can add balsamic vinegar at any point to instantly elevate your dish.

Want to make it more filling? Try using this recipe with some avocado toast or even in a salad to make a full, flavorful meal.

10. Add it to Seltzer Water

We know, this may sound a little strange at first, but you have to trust us. Taking your favorite brand of seltzer water (flavored or not), simply drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinegar into your glass and stir to create your own unique soda! While it’s not going to taste the same as some of the big name brands out there, you’ll be able to enjoy a refreshing beverage with way fewer calories!

Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, try adding some balsamic vinegar to your favorite flavored sodas to see what new tastes come from it!

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

10 Great Olive Oil Recipes for the 4th of July

While the 4th of July is all about celebrating our independence, it’s also about enjoying delicious food with friends and family. So, to help you prepare for this year, we’ve compiled some of our favorite olive oil recipes that will fit perfectly into any 4th of July party.

1. Drizzle it Over Seafood

Even though burgers and hotdogs are typical 4th of July foods, why not switch things up with some fresh seafood? Whether served hot or cold, fresh seafood is one of olive oil’s favorite partners. Once you’ve prepared your seafood dish to your liking, simply drizzle some olive oil on top and enjoy!

While it’s almost impossible to go wrong with a traditional bottle, using flavored olive oils is a great way to take your 4th of July seafood dish to the next level. We suggest trying out lime or rosemary, but the combinations are endless!

2. Use it as a Marinade

That’s right, did you know olive oil can even be used as a marinade? Adding a few teaspoons to your favorite marinade can really help introduce new, exciting flavors as well as bring out more of the meat’s natural flavor. For the best results, before submerging your selected meat into the marinade, rub it down with a generous layer of olive oil.

Of course, you don’t have to just stick to chicken, beef, and steak. Using flavored olive oils to marinate some shrimp before throwing them on the BBQ is a dangerously delicious way to instantly bring out a gourmet taste.

3. Make a Summer Coleslaw

When the sun is beating down and you’re looking for a cool, refreshing dish to indulge in on the 4th of July, look no further than a summer coleslaw. Moving away from the traditional combination of cabbage and mayonnaise, summer coleslaw is best when made with a blend of your favorite shredded vegetables.

Once combined in a bowl, drizzle a few tablespoons of regular or flavored olive oil (hint, go for citrus!) along with a dash of balsamic glaze, lime juice, salt, pepper, and a touch of agave for sweetness and give it a taste!

4. 4th of July Dipping Sauces

Making some guacamole or a creamy tzatziki sauce for dipping as guests mingle at your wildly successful 4th of July party? Well, olive oil can help amp up the flavor profiles here as well! The best part is, you can experiment with any number of flavored olive oils to see which combinations make for the best dipping sauce.

Citrus flavored oils will work really well in dips like guacamole, while herb infused olive oils will lend their flavors particularly well to dips like hummus or tzatziki sauce.

5. Use it as a Grilling Oil

Nothing can ruin your 4th of July faster than when your burgers get stuck to the grill and fall apart on the flip. To avoid this, instead of using butter or PAM spray, give your grilled meats the gift of flavor by greasing the grill with olive oil. As your meats are grilling, the olive oil will begin imparting its flavor and make for a tasty surprise.

Don’t just stick to meat though, you can use olive oil on just about anything you’re grilling! Corn on the cob, seafood, mushrooms, you name it.

6. Summer Kale Chips

If you’re looking to take your 4th of July snack foods on the healthier route, summer kale chips will be right up your alley. Start by washing the kale and removing the ribs as best you can. Then, preheat your oven to 275, gently place the kale on a baking sheet, add a sprinkle of salt, and generously drizzle olive oil over them.

When they’re done, you’ll have yourself some deliciously crunchy, low calorie chips that are sure to make a splash at your 4th of July party.

7. Make a Cucumber Salad

When you think of summertime, few things are as refreshing as a cool, crisp cucumber salad while you float around the pool. The best part about this recipe? It’s insanely simple to make. Simply cut some cucumber into medallions or in halves and toss them together with cherry tomatoes and onions, add salt and pepper, and top it all off with a few tablespoons of olive oil.

Experiment with some flavored olive oils and different ingredients to come up with your own 4th of July cucumber salad. We’re confident your guests will go crazy for it!

8. Squash is for Summer

Keeping with the vegetable theme here, squash is next up on the list for your 4th of July recipe book. Olive oil braised squash is not only incredibly easy to make, but it packs some serious flavor. To start, cut up your squash into bite-sized pieces and heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Next, add in salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic, and just about anything else you want for flavor. Then, add the squash and let it braise on each side for a few minutes!

9. Italian Style 4th of July

As great as hamburgers and hotdogs are, why not switch things up and surprise your guests with none other than Italy’s finest – garlic bread! This tasty, deliciously crunchy crowd favorite is sure to make a splash at your 4th of July party. For this recipe, all you need to do is get your favorite roll of fresh baked bread, slice it, spread some butter, garlic, and salt.

Once they’ve been baked to crispy perfection, set out a small bowl of your favorite olive oil for dipping and let the feast begin!

10. Corn & Avocado Salad

Because temperatures tend to skyrocket as we get into July, you’ll want to have plenty of cool, refreshing dishes at your party. As such, this tasty recipe hits the mark by combining the zesty flavor of onion with the smooth, semi-sweet flavors of corn and avocado.

From here, throw in some tomatoes, salt and pepper, vinegar, and, yep, you guessed it – olive oil! Mix it all together and you have the perfect corn & avocado salad for 4th of July!

June 6, 2019May 9, 2019

Olive Oil Nutrition

If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’re wanting to know how olive oil can be so healthy but so calorie-dense at the same time. After all, clocking in at roughly 120 calories per tablespoon is no joke, especially considering that some people use olive oil much in the same way they use America’s favorite condiment – ketchup.

So, in this article, we’re going to be taking an in-depth look at the nutrition behind what’s largely considered to be the healthiest oil on Earth.

What is Olive Oil?

Dating back more than 4,000 years, olive oil has managed to make its way into practically every country and culture around the world. Originating from the Mediterranean region, the craft of turning olives into olive oil has been passed down for generations. In fact, it’s because of this that these regions continue to produce some of the highest quality olive oil you’ll find anywhere.

As with any fruit or vegetable, in order to get the highest quality olive oil, you have to understand the importance of how the olives are grown. Now, you may be wondering, why should I care about the way olives are grown? I came here to learn about the nutrition facts.

As it turns out, not all olives have the same nutrient profile. Even though the calories may appear identical, the beneficial nutrients that aren’t listed on the nutrition label are largely determined by the quality of the olives themselves.

Everything from the way the trees are groomed and the olives are picked to how they’re transported and processed plays a key role in establishing the quality of the finished product. For example, buying olive oil from the Mediterranean region that states it was made from “hand-picked” or “tree” olives it a strong indicator that the farmer places special care into every step of the production process.

While this may take a little extra legwork if you’re buying olive oil from a large supermarket chain, the nutritional benefits can be night and day.

Olive Oil Nutrition

Because fat has been labeled public enemy number one for more than a decade, a lot of people get turned off by olive oil when they see that it’s composed almost entirely of fat. We’re here to show you that the fat, in addition to other unlisted nutrients, found in olive oil is actually healthy.

1. Let’s Talk Healthy Fats

Though the numbers can vary slightly from bottle to bottle, in most cases, a tablespoon of olive oil will net you 125 calories and 14 grams of fat (about 22% of your daily value). To arrive at this number, simply multiply each gram of fat by 9 – the number of calories one gram of fat equates to in the body.

While that may seem like a bit much for a single tablespoon, it’s important to understand the type of fat that’s in olive oil. On average, the 14 grams is largely comprised of both monounsaturated fats (between 6-7 grams) and polyunsaturated fats (about 4-5 grams). These “good fats” are responsible for all kinds of beneficial happenings in the body, when consumed in moderation, of course.

Some of the benefits include lowering bad cholesterol levels in the blood which can reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke, aiding with the creation and maintenance of cells, as well as provide the body with vitamin E, one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body.

2. Get Your Dose of Antioxidants

Even though you won’t find these listed anywhere on the nutrition facts label, olive oil is simply packed with beneficial antioxidants that help keep the body in good health. The first one we’re going to touch on is the widely important fat-soluble vitamin E.

While it’s considered a vitamin, E is also an incredibly important antioxidant that helps to balance cholesterol, fight the damaging effects of free radicals, and slow the body’s natural aging process by aiding with skin repair, to name a few.

Up next we have oleocanthal and oleuropein, two of olive oil’s main antioxidants that help with things like reducing inflammation and anti-oxidation. This is incredibly important since both chronic inflammation and oxidation are largely believed to contribute to a variety of diseases.

In fact, countless studies have found evidence that suggests olive oil has the ability to reduce inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Proteins.

3. The Power of Polyphenols

Polyphenols, though technically classified as a phytochemical, commonly fall under the same umbrella as antioxidants due to their beneficial activity in the body. Primarily found in extra virgin olive oil, polyphenols are powerful fighters against free radicals and oxidation, both of which affect how quickly you age as well as increase your risk of developing different diseases.

Unlike the other beneficial compounds we’ve been talking about, polyphenols are only found in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) due to the minimal processing. Because EVOO is processed the least out of all the different types, it’s able to retain nearly all of the beneficial properties.

This is why extra virgin olive oil is considered the highest quality olive oil you can buy, and why they demand a higher price tag.

Are You Ready?

Now that you’ve learned all about the various nutritional components olive oil can contain, you probably don’t feel as bad about using it in some of your favorite dishes, right?

When consumed in moderation, olive oil has proven to be a powerful, natural ingredient that bolsters your health and protects against ailments. Here at D’Olivo, we’ve made it our mission to share the holistic benefits of olive oil with as many customers as we possibly can.

It’s for that very reason we carry ultra premium olive oil, sourced from only the highest quality olives and processed using the strictest of standards. Shop online or come visit us in store to experience the D’Olivo difference!

May 23, 2019May 9, 2019

Manzanilla Olives – Facts, Health Benefits & Tasty Recipes

While it’s all too easy to group olives into two distinct categories – black or white – most are surprised to learn that there are actually hundreds of varieties grown throughout the world. Similar to wine grapes, certain types of olives grow better in different climates, leading to a wide range of unique flavors and textures that can produce mouthwatering culinary possibilities.

Since covering even the most popular types of olives far exceeds the scope of this article, today, we’re going to be focusing on one variety in particular – Manzanilla olives.

What Are Manzanilla Olives?

Believe it or not, these tasty little morsels are actually the most common type of green olive found in supermarkets today. If you’ve ever purchased a jar of green olives packed into a glass jar with brine, chances are, you’ve sampled these olives before. Originating from Sevilla, Spain, Manzanilla olives have taken the world by storm, commonly found in everything from roasted chicken and Mediterranean style dishes to the iconic dirty martini.

Not only are Manzanilla olives the most popular type of green olive you’ll find, but they’re actually the most popular type of olive in the world. Largely due in part to its resilience and high yield, the ever increasing demand for Manzanilla olives has led them to also be grown in the sunny state of California.

Characterized by their light green appearance, Manzanilla olives are commonly pitted and stuffed with pimento (the classic red filling), garlic paste, or even almonds depending on where you get them from. These plump, meaty olives have a firm texture and diverse flavor profile that will take your taste buds through notes of briny deliciousness before evolving into something slightly bitter with a touch of nutty smokiness.

Because they can be so widely produced, Manzanilla olives serve as a great source for olive oil in addition to their whole fruit purposes. When not being used for olive oil, Manzanilla olives undergo an extensive process that prepares them for packaging.

Contrary to popular belief, you won’t have a pleasant experience if you just pluck an olive from its tree and bite into it. Instead, you’ll be greeted with a face-twisting bitterness as a result of the oleuropein content that gets removed during the curing process.

Once the Manzanilla olives have been deemed ripe enough to pick, the farmer will start by washing them off in a bath drawn with water and brine to preserve the freshness and remove any debris from the exterior.

After they’ve been thoroughly rinsed, they will again be submerged in a sea salt brine (varies depending on the producing company) for as long as three weeks to fully remove the naturally bitter taste and produce the succulent olives we’ve come to love.

From here, they’re then pitted, stuffed, and packaged in glass jars and filled with brine or olive oil for preservation until it’s time to enjoy them!

Health Benefits of Manzanilla Olives

Manzanilla olives are packed with powerful nutrients that offer several health benefits when incorporated as a staple in your diet.

1. High In Antioxidants

One of the most well-documented benefits of olive oil is their rich antioxidant profile which has been found to help lower the risk of developing a number of diseases. Vitamin E is one of the most important antioxidants found in olive oil, helping to protect your body against viruses and free radical damage, which has been largely associated with cancers and even heart disease.

On top of having a high concentration of Vitamin E, studies have also shown that consuming olives can significantly increase glutathione levels in the blood, one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants.

2. Abundance of Healthy Fats

As you may have already assumed, olive oil from Manzanilla olives is largely comprised of monounsaturated fats. Known as oleic acid, monounsaturated fats are believed to help fight chronic inflammation in the body.

The oil contained within Manzanilla olives is also believed to help reduce blood pressure, further contributing to heart health. In addition, the fat content of Manzanilla olives is packed with omega-3’s and 6’s, both of which are important for keeping your heart health in check.

3. Heart Health & Stroke Prevention

Scientists have long been interested in the Mediterranean diet due to the low number of heart disease cases in the region. After extensive research, scientists found that a diet rich in olive oil helps protect the body against heart disease in a variety of different ways (as covered above).

Similarly, scientists have also performed numerous studies on the link between strokes and olive oil consumption. Their research found that monounsaturated fat from olives is one of the leading factors in reducing the risk of stroke.

Manzanilla Olive Recipes

Bacon Olive Wraps

This recipe is the perfect choice when looking to impress guests with a simple yet tasty appetizer involving Manzanilla olives.

Ingredients: Bacon, Manzanilla olives, white bread

Cooking:
1. Cut the crust from the white bread and slice each piece into 3 equal strips.
2. Roll it around the olive, followed by half a strip of bacon before securing with a toothpick.
3. Place on a baking sheet and broil for about 5 minutes, making sure the bacon is crispy all around.

Chopped Salad

When you’re in the mood for a stunningly flavorful salad that can take on whatever form you please, the Manzanilla olive chopped salad never fails.

Ingredients: For this recipe, the only ingredients you need are those necessary to create your favorite salad.

Cooking: Whether that be an extravagant blue cheese salad or a simple spring mix with some grilled chicken, sprinkling in a few stuffed olives that have been chopped up can instantly elevate any salad to the next level of delicious.

Chicken Pesto & Pasta

Manzanilla olives work exceptionally well with pesto dishes, making chicken pesto the perfect candidate for these tasty little morsels.

Ingredients: For this recipe, you can use any chicken pesto recipe you find and simply add an extra step while making the sauce.

Cooking: As the pesto ingredients are cooking down in a large pot (commonly including garlic, parsley, olive oil, and rep pepper), sprinkle in a few Manzanilla olives and allow them to meld with the flavors for 3-4 minutes and wallah!

May 9, 2019August 20, 2019

3 Ways to Get More Olive Oil in Your Diet

When it comes to making dietary changes, the first thing that comes to mind for most is eliminating those tasty “cheat” meals we all love so much. Thankfully, that’s not what we’re here to talk about. Instead, this article is going to explore some creative ways you can make your meals both tastier and healthier.

Have you guessed how yet? That’s right – olive oil!

So, if you’re ready to enjoy the countless benefits and tantalizing culinary possibilities this natural miracle ingredient has to offer, let’s dive in.

Why Olive Oil is Important

Believe it or not, olive oil has been around for as long as 4,000 years, tracing all the way back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. Though commonly associated with dishes and snacks coming from the Mediterranean region, olive oil can be found growing all over the world. In fact, olive oil is considered by many to be the healthiest fat on earth, being commonly found as a dietary staple in some of the world’s healthiest populations.

The most beneficial type of olive oil that you can buy is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Extracted using natural methods, extra virgin olive oil retains almost all of its beneficial properties when compared to lesser grades. Packed with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and monounsaturated fats, EVOO provides countless health benefits.

However, it’s important to note that not all EVOO is truly extra virgin. You can read more about fake olive oil and how to avoid it in this article.

Below, we’ve covered just a few of the many health benefits olive oil can provide when introduced as a dietary staple.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Between the antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids, extra virgin olive oil has been found to combat chronic inflammation – a leading cause of a variety of diseases.

Protection Against Cardiovascular Disease
Ranked as the most common cause of death in the world, EVOO has been shown to benefit the cardiovascular system by protecting HDL cholesterol (the good guys), lowering blood pressure, and preventing blood clotting.

Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
As the world’s most common neurodegenerative disease, extra virgin olive oil has shown promising evidence in support of Alzheimer’s prevention.

3 Ways to Get More Olive Oil in Your Diet

1. Incorporate Olive Oil Into Your Cooking & Baking

Butter Substitute
One of the easiest ways to incorporate more healthy extra virgin olive oil into your diet is by using it in place of butter. As much as we all love butter, when consumed in excess, the high concentration of saturated fats can raise your cholesterol levels.

While it may seem a bit strange at first to add a dash of EVOO to your toast rather than spreading a teaspoon of butter, you’ll quickly find that it’s just as delicious. Even better, you can experiment with any number of the flavored olive oils we carry here at D’Olivo to come up with some exciting “spreads”.

Frying & Roasting
Another way you can supplement olive oil for butter in your everyday cooking is by using it to saute or pan fry various foods. Whether it be vegetables or panko crusted chicken, olive oil is a tasty alternative that can get the job done just as effectively.

Baking
Lastly, you can even use olive oil for baking. That’s right, instead of using that half cup of butter to bake a cake, you can supplement with a few tablespoons of olive oil for a much healthier alternative. In addition, baking with olive oil can dramatically increase the shelf life and freshness of your baked goods thanks to vitamin E.

2. Make Your Own Salad Dressing

If you find yourself to be the DIY kind of person, you’ll feel right at home with this tip. If not, don’t worry! You’ll be surprised to learn just how easy it is to make your own salad dressing from scratch at home.

When it comes to salad dressing, many of the store-bought options are jam-packed with additives and preservatives. Rather than settling for that overpriced bottle of balsamic vinaigrette because it’s convenient, all you need is a few fresh ingredients to make your own.

To get started, all you need is balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper – that’s it! While each recipe will recommend varying amounts of each ingredient, over time, you’ll figure out the perfect balance that best suits your personal taste.

Not only will it taste much better than any store-bought balsamic vinaigrette, but you’ll also be incorporating more EVOO into your diet without even realizing it.

3. Use Olive Oil as a Topping

Have you ever made a dish that seems to be missing something that you can’t quite pinpoint? Olive oil serves as a great finishing oil on a variety of different cuisines and snack foods. Simply grab your favorite bottle of extra virgin olive oil and drizzle a light coat over whatever you’re eating to instantly create a flavor explosion.

This works particularly well with foods like grilled or roasted vegetables, pizza, seafood, mashed potatoes, salads, and artisanal bread. Once you realize how versatile olive oil is as a topping, you’ll soon find yourself experimenting with flavored oils that bring your favorite dishes into a whole new realm of deliciousness.

The One-Stop Olive Oil Shop

So, are you feeling excited and ready to flex those culinary muscles? By now, you should be well equipped with a handful of creative ways to incorporate more healthy olive oil into your diet. The next step is stocking your kitchen with a bottle or two of high-quality extra virgin olive oil so you can start tasting your way to a healthier diet.

Here at D’Olivo, we proudly carry more than 30 traditional and flavored ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils so you can let your taste buds run wild. By carefully sourcing all of our olive oil from Veronica Foods, we ensure nothing but the highest quality products make it to our shelves and ultimately, your kitchen.

Stop by our Walla Walla location or shop online to start trying out some of many ways you can use olive oil in cooking!

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019

Welcome to Club D’Olivo

Whether it’s your first time stepping through our welcoming doors or you’ve become an avid fan of the delicious products we carry, Club D’Olivo is one of the many ways we strive to give you the best experience possible. From special discounts, quarterly shipments of your favorite oils and vinegars, and unique recipes that are sure to spread smiles at any occasion, Club D’Olivo provides you with countless ways to enjoy our products year round.

So, if you’re ready to taste and learn more about the wonderful world of olive oil and true balsamic vinegars, continue reading to uncover the many benefits of becoming a club member.

What is Club D’Olivo?

Started as a way to help our customers experience olive oil and balsamic vinegar the way they’re meant to be enjoyed, Club D’Olivo has since grown into one of the core pillars that makes our brand tick. Whether you live right down the road from our quaint Walla Walla location, or you happened to pop in by chance on your visit to the beautiful valley, Club D’Olivo provides a convenient way for you to continue the tasting experience long after it’s passed.

As many of our customers have told us, once your eyes have been opened to the flavorful world of authentic extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) and true balsamic vinegars, it’s hard to go back to the popular nationwide supermarket brands. Not only do they pale in comparison when it comes to taste, but you’ll also learn that our genuine products come packed with numerous health benefits so you can live a more holistic lifestyle.

Proudly carrying more than 30 unique olive oils and 35 aged balsamic vinegars at all times, the combinations and culinary possibilities are practically endless. Even though you’ll get the chance to taste as many as you like on one of our guided tasting tours, Club D’Olivo gives you the ability to enjoy our delectable selection from the comfort of your own home all year long.

Because we regularly rotate our selection of oils and vinegars throughout the year, the club is also a great way to ensure you don’t miss out on rare flavors and combinations that you may otherwise never get the chance to try. In addition to getting access to your favorite olive oils and balsamic vinegars, you’ll also enjoy multiple benefits which we go into detail about below.

Club D’Olivo Benefits

Are you ready to spice up some of your favorite dishes, wow guests with sensational flavor combinations, and live a more holistic lifestyle? Below, we go over all of the benefits club members get to enjoy.

1. Quarterly Shipments of Your Favorite Oils & Vinegars

As we touched on briefly above, the primary benefit you’ll get to enjoy as a Club D’Olivo member is the four quarterly shipments of olive oil or balsamic vinegar that you have the option of choosing yourself or letting one of our experienced team members offer advice on excellent combinations (which is always an exciting option for the more adventurous).

The best part? You’re free to choose the package size that best suits your budget and culinary preferences. Ranging from two 375mL bottles all the way up to four 375mL bottles, you can ensure you have as little, or as much, of your favorite oils and vinegars coming right to your door throughout the year.

2. Member-Only Discounts

Another benefit of becoming a Club D’Olivo member is getting to enjoy the member-only discounts whether shopping in-store or online. We understand that you might find yourself running a little low between shipments if you use your oils and vinegars regularly (it’s hard not to), which is why we include a generous 10% discount on all purchases made outside of the quarterly orders.

This is also great for when you want to pick up some additional flavors that pair particularly well with the ones you already have at home. In addition to the discount on purchases, when you become an annual member, you also get to enjoy 15% off your quarterly shipments. So whether you’re just the quarterly shopper or you like to pick up new products throughout the year, as a Club D’Olivo member, you’ll always be saving.

3. Club Gift

Even though half the fun when it comes to authentic EVOOs and true balsamic vinegars is experimenting with different culinary combinations, as a Club D’Olivo member, you’ll be offered a FREE gift every shipment, giving you the chance to sample one of our favorite oils, hand-picked by Roni.

The Gift That Keeps Giving

What better present can you give to someone who loves gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars than the gift that lets them indulge all year long? Many of our Club D’Olivo members end up loving it so much that they gift a year of membership to their friends and family.

Whether you want to surprise them by selecting the first shipment and having it arrive unexpectedly at their door, or you plan on letting them pick and choose their favorites, a Club D’Olivo membership is the perfect gift for anyone who loves combining delicious food with a holistic lifestyle.

Join Today

Are you ready to explore the vibrant, flavorful world of ultra premium olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars? Experience these age-old culinary wonders the way they’re meant to be enjoyed and discover the endless possibilities each unique bottle brings to your kitchen.

Join the D’Olivo family and help spread our love of authentic olive oils and true balsamic vinegars by showing others what they’ve been missing out on. Simply visit our club page, fill out the contact form, and select the membership level you’re comfortable with to embark on a culinary adventure that will forever change the way you view these amazing ingredients

Click to Join Club D’Olivo

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

Your Comprehensive Guide to Steeping Tea [2019 Edition]

Having come a long way from its birthplace in ancient China more than 5,000 years ago, tea has become one of the most widely consumed beverages on the planet, second only to water. Though there are only four main categories, tea as a whole has evolved and grown to encompass more than 1,500 unique types.

Loved for its myriad of flavors ranging from subtle to robust, and the countless health benefits different types offer, tea is a now a household staple that can be found in the cabinets of homes across the nation. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the vastly diverse world of tea, or you’ve been enjoying the delicious benefits for many years, in this article, we’re going to be exploring the deceivingly simple process of steeping.

So, if you’re ready to take a dive into the aromatic waters of steeped tea with us, read on and learn how to brew the perfect cup every time.

What is Steeping?

Steeping is the process of soaking tea (either ground or loose leaf) in hot water to extract the flavors and nutrients contained within. If that sounds awfully familiar to another widely popular beverage, it’s because coffee is brewed in very much the same way.

Though the methods used to process tea exceeds the scope of this article, there are actually multiple steps involved to bring tea from freshly plucked leaves and buds to the finished product you find in stores. Depending on the type of tea being made, different processes are used which is why you’ll find so much variance from category to category.

However, regardless of the type, the finished product will always be dried leaves and buds with concentrated flavors, aromas, and nutrients. When exposed to hot water, the dried tea will begin to expand and release its concentrated properties, creating the finished beverage we’ve all come to love. Still following along? Good. Next, let’s talk about the difference between loose leaf and bagged tea.

The Difference Between Loose Leaf and Tea Bags

While it truly comes down to personal preference, it’s been said for a long time that, if you want a “true” cup of tea, you’ll brew it using loose leaf. So, to help settle some of the confusion in this ongoing debate, we’ve gathered, digested, and broken down all of the information so that you can easily understand the key differences between bagged and loose leaf teas.

Quality

One of the biggest reasons tea drinkers opt for loose leaf over bagged teas is due to the quality difference. The cut, tear, and curl method used to make bagged teas produces a very fine finished product that, in turn, loses some of its flavors. Loose leaf teas, on the other hand, are processed more carefully and allow the leaves to remain fully intact, maintaining a more robust flavor profile.

Freshness

Even though tea is inherently dry, when exposed to oxygen for prolonged periods of time, it’s prone to becoming stale. This is a common problem with many popular bagged tea brands that are often left on shelves in-store for extended periods, resulting in stale tea that’s lost flavor. Loose leaf typically comes in a sealed package that helps preserve freshness and flavor.

Bang for Your Buck

When steeping bagged teas, each cup requires the use of a new teabag. While this is perfectly normal and strongly recommended (reusing tea bags produces a very weak drink), over time, you can actually end up saving money on loose leaf teas despite their initially higher price tags. Most loose leaf teas are able to be re-steeped as many as 3-4 times while continuing to produce robust, flavorful cups of tea.

Brew Time & Flavor

Because bagged teas are cut and curled into a very fine finished product, they’re going to have greater surface area exposure when steeped, resulting in a faster brew time. This will also allow them to impart maximal flavor in the shortest period of time. On the other hand, loose leaf teas take slightly longer to steep and open up, while also imparting complex, nuanced flavors you typically won’t find in bagged teas. Again, this all comes down to personal preference.

Different Types of Loose Leaf Tea

Now that you’re well acquainted with the differences between loose leaf and bagged teas, it’s time to figure out which variety will best suit your tastes.

Green Tea

Green tea is easily one of the healthiest and most popular types of tea in the world. Given its green color by a reduced oxidation process, green tea can range from having a yellowish hue to bright green coloring and vegetal tasting notes. If you like “green” flavors and aromas, as well as some fruity, green tea is an excellent choice to experiment with.

Black Tea

Black tea has been on the rise in popularity for some time, largely due to its higher caffeine content and versatility as a beverage. Characterized by an appearance ranging from reddish to dark brown, black tea is the most oxidized of the tea types which is why the leaves and buds are so dark. If you like bold tasting teas that handle sugar and other ingredients well, black tea may be your to-go.

Oolong Tea

Falling somewhere in the middle of green and black, oolong tea can come in an enormous variety of flavors and appearances depending on where it’s grown and how it’s processed. Similar to fine wine, oolong tea tasting experiences will vary greatly from brand to brand, making for an exciting adventure with each and every cup.

White Tea

Given its name due to the “white” appearance it gains from being harvested early, white tea is considered the most delicate of all teas. Characterized by light flavors and aromas, white teas are still highly revered due to the rare tasting notes found in those produced by truly artisanal tea masters. If you like subtle flavors and a more refreshing tea, you should try some of these.

Why is Herbal Tea Different?

Though they’re still called teas, herbal teas (also known as tisanes) aren’t considered “real tea” due to the ingredients used to make the tea itself. Traditional tea is made using nothing but the leaves of the tea bush, while herbal teas, as the name implies, are made using select herbs and herbal combinations.

Many herbal teas are made by steeping not only leaves, but the stems, roots, bark, flowers, and even rhizomes of whatever herbs are being used. In order to obtain a particular aroma or flavor, herbal teas are also commonly mixed with a variety of other plants and spices.

That being said, you may come across some herbal teas which actually use real tea leaves in addition to the other ingredients. These are called herbal infusions. While herbal teas aren’t considered “true teas” by tea purists, they remain a popular choice by many and can be made using the same process we cover below.

How to Prepare Tea For Steeping

All right. So you’ve selected your tea of choice and you’re ready to steep the perfect cup, now what? Even though mastering your steeping skills will take a bit of trial and error, below, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about steeping tea into easily digestible steps.

1. Equipment

Unless you’re a diehard tea drinker, you can get away steeping tea with a few easy to acquire, very affordable tools. The first thing you’ll need is a pot or kettle to boil some water in. If making tea for multiple people, you may want to pick up a teapot or infuser so you can bang them all out at once rather than cup by cup. When brewing individual cups, you can let the tea leaves steep directly in the mug itself!

With that out of the way, the next thing on your list is something you can use to filter the steeped leaves out of the tea itself. While you’re welcome to drink your tea with leaves and all, we recommend filtering for a more enjoyable experience. This can be done a few ways.

The most common way is by using a mesh tea ball (or tea bag) that keeps all the leaves neatly contained during steeping. Another alternative is purchasing a kettle with a built-in mesh strainer so you can just pour directly into your mug. Lastly, if you’re an avid coffee drinker with a french press laying around, you can use it in very much the same way you would make coffee.

And that’s all the equipment you need to steep tea!

2. Water Temperature & Steep Time

Tea leaves, especially loose leaf, are delicate in nature and can burn easily if you use water that’s too hot. By that same token, using water that’s not hot enough can result in weak tea that hasn’t steeped enough.

For the best results, we recommend letting the water come to a rolling boil, removing it from the heat source for 1-2 minutes, and then pouring it into your mug or infuser. When doing this, it’s best to pour the hot water directly into the tea leaves so that every surface can infuse flavors and aromas over the steeping period.

Since we are on the topic of water, using purified, bottled water can ensure no chemicals alter the taste of your tea. Using lower quality water such as tap can greatly alter the overall taste and ruin finer, nuanced flavors that develop during the steeping process.

Getting steep time down can be a little tricky. While most teas will have recommendations directly on the box or container, depending on personal preference, you can experiment with shorter or longer steep times. Just keep in mind that under-steeped tea will taste weak, while over-steeped tea will taste bitter. Find the balance you like.

In case the tea you purchased doesn’t have recommended steep times listed, below, we’ve provided some general recommendations for each type of tea.

– Black tea should steep for 3 to 5 minutes whether using bags or loose leaf.
– Green tea should steep for 2 to 4 minutes if using loose leaf, and 1 to 3 minutes if using bags.
– Oolong tea should steep for 5 to 7 minutes if using loose leaf, and 3 to 5 if using bags.
– White tea should steep for 2 to 3 minutes if using loose leaf, and 30 to 60 seconds if using bags.

3. Enjoy Your Tea

Once the tea has steeped for a long enough period of time in either your mug or diffuser, it’s ready to enjoy. Simply remove the leaves from your tea and give it a taste. If you’re trying to work on your steeping skills, we recommend writing down brewing details such as the number of tea leaves used, the amount of water, and the length of time it steeped for so you can hone in on the perfect cup.

Quick Steeping Tips

Now that you’re a tea steeping expert, before you go, we wanted to provide a few quick tips that will help you on your journey to becoming a tea master.

1. You Can Control Caffeine Content

In addition to determining how much flavor your cup of tea will have, steep time also controls caffeine content. If you need an extra boost in the morning, simply letting your tea steep for a little longer than usual (but not too long!) will increase the amount of caffeine.

2. Step Up Your Tea Game

If you find yourself becoming a full-blown tea addict, one of the best ways to expand upon your new hobby is by stepping your game up with new tea equipment. While you can easily get away with a few kitchen essentials that most people already have, investing in tea-specific gear can make things a lot more fun, and a lot easier when you’re in a rush.

3. Quality Over Quantity

That’s right, this timeless piece of advice even finds a home in the world of tea. As with many foods and beverages, you’ll get the best tea experience when you invest in higher quality leaves. As great as popular supermarket brands are for getting an affordable fix, spending just a few extra bucks for quality tea leaves can make a huge difference in the mug.