This month I bought three extra virgin olive oils from shops in Brighton all at prices under £13.00 a litre.
Cypressa EVOO from Taj in Western Road Brighton
- There is very little information of any kind on the label other than that the oils is from Greece and is packed there for Katsouris Brothers Ltd in Middlesex.
- The sell by date is 12/18
- It is priced at £2.75 for 250ml (£11.00 per litre)
This oil has a light aroma with a simple, straightforward smell of apples with a touch of lemon. The taste in the mouth is much more nutty with macademis nuts and ovaltine biscuits. There is a little pepper on the back of the throat with more biscuits.
This oil does not really have a lot of charácter but its pleasant, gentle to medium style is good value for money for an everyday oil. However, I am not sure how interesting it will be in another few months. Use in all culinary applications where the other ingredients are not too strongly flavoured.
Organics from Infinity Food, Brighton
- The label on this oil states that this oil is made from olives grown, harvested and prcessed in Spain For more information see organics.co.uk
- The label also states that the oil won a Great Taste Award back in 2012 which does not seem very relevant to 2016/2017.
- It is priced at £5.00 for 500ml (£10.00 per litre) special offer: normally around £6.99
This oil has quite an attractive fresh and fruity aroma with a touch of peaches and tropical fruits. However, the taste comes as something of disappointment. There is quite a high level of pepper for the level of fruit but the flavours stay reasonably well in the mouth ending with some nutty biscuity tones. It is probably the least interesting of the three oils but not bad at the Price. Use for most culinary applications.
Tesco own label Sicilia PGI
- This is labelled PGI which is an indication that it is the produce of Sicily.
- It is priced at £6.50 for 500ml (£13.00 per litre)
The oil has an appealing aroma of stalky tomatoes with some orange citrus tones and a hint of culinary herbs. The flavour in the mouth is very similar with even more herbs, including basil and bayleaf. A sudden burst of pepper follows on but does not swamp the fruit. There is little or no pepper. The fruity flavours build again on the after taste to give an attractive oil with some charácter.
A good oil to use for finishing and flavouring dishes as well as preparing them. This was by far the best of the three oils tasted today.