The Best Olive Oil is From Texas: Here’s Why!
Posted by Texana Brands on
Extra virgin olive (EVOO) isn’t just an everyday kitchen staple- it’s a versatile cooking ingredient used for centuries! Compared to other oils, extra virgin olive oil from Texas is renowned for its robust flavors, high-quality ingredients, and promising health benefits.
Texas-grown olives are harvested in the flatlands and rolling hills of the Lone Star State, creating exquisite flavors unique to the region. From salads to baking to sautéing, there are many ways to enjoy this delicious oil.
In this blog from Texana Brands, we’ll look at why you should consider choosing extra virgin olive oil from Texas over the competition.
Table of Contents:
- Terroir
- Harvesting
- Olive Varieties
- Production Practices
- Processing & Extraction
- Conclusion
People Also Ask:
Is Texas olive oil good?
Yes! Texas olive oil is some of the highest quality you can buy. Olive oils from Texas regularly register on the good quality acidic level, which is a key indicator of their quality. These acidic levels are often much lower than extra virgin olive oils from Europe.
How can you tell if olive oil is high quality?
The easiest way to determine if olive oil is of higher quality is by its taste and smell. Good quality olive oil should smell fresh, like something fruity or grassy. The taste should have hints of almond, fruit, or grassy flavors.
What is the healthiest olive oil to buy?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest and purest type of olive oil because it contains the highest amount of natural beneficial compounds known as polyphenols. Polyphenols, or phenols, provide a wealth of powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Terroir
The terroir, the combination of soil, climate, land, and culture, plays an essential role in defining the quality and taste of Texas olive oil. Texas has a dry climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year; this ensures that olives ripen properly and develop their characteristic flavor profile.
The soil in Texas is also known for its high mineral content, which imparts an extra depth to the flavor of olives grown there. Additionally, Texas is home to some of the oldest olive trees in North America, which means that olives grown in the region have had time to develop complex flavors that cannot be found anywhere else.
Harvesting
The harvesting process plays a significant role in determining the quality of olive oil. In Texas, olives are handpicked by experienced farmers who understand how to tell when an olive is ripe and ready for picking.
As a result, fewer bruised or overripe olives are included in each batch, which means less oxidation occurs during processing. This also helps preserve more delicate aromas and flavors that define a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Olive Varieties
When it comes to buying EVOO from Texas, several different varieties are available on the market today. Whether you’re looking for something mild or bolder and spicier, there’s bound to be something out there for everyone’s taste buds!
At Texana Brands, we use Arbequina olives home-grown on our 150-acre orchard in Artesia Wells. We’ve perfected our recipes over generations so you can enjoy every drop of authentic Texas flavor from each bottle.
Production Practices
Another great thing about sourcing your EVOO from Texas is that many farms are committed to more environmentally-friendly production practices. Not only does this mean fewer chemicals entering our environment, but it also results in higher quality extra virgin olive oil with no added preservatives or additives.
Plus, these farming practices help protect soil health, resulting in more nutrient-dense foods with more robust flavors. So not only are you getting olive oil free of harmful toxins, but you’re also getting flavor-packed goodness straight from nature!
Processing & Extraction
Once harvested, olives are transported quickly and efficiently to processing sites, where they are usually cold-pressed within 24 hours using state-of-the-art equipment. Cold pressing helps preserve more natural nutrients than other methods, such as heat extraction.
The result is a premium extra virgin olive oil with all its flavors intact - perfect for use as an ingredient and finishing touch!
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, choosing extra virgin olive oil from Texas will give you a superior product that stands out among its competitors. Not only do local producers adhere to more environmentally-friendly farming standards, but they also take advantage of the unique terroir effects of Texas!
So next time you reach for a bottle of EVOO at your local grocery store or farmers market, keep these reasons in mind. Chances are, if it says “Texas Grown” on the label, you won’t be disappointed!