L'Olio dei Papi 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil cold extracted produced from the centuries-old olive groves of the ancient lands of the Popes 0,5 LT (gift box)

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Olive oil is a buzzed-about “superfood” today, but we aren’t the only ones singing its praises. In fact, ancient people in the Mediterranean basin had another designation they preferred: they believed olive trees were sent by the gods. The legend goes that when the city of Athens was founded, the goddess Athena created the olive tree so that they would choose her as their patron, rather than the god Poseidon.

Yet, as time passed by and empires crumbled, the methods evolved too. The once manual labor-intensive process has now been replaced by modern machinery. Despite these changes, one thing remains constant; the passion for producing high-quality olive oil. While we may never know if olive trees were a gift from the gods, we do know quite a bit about their early days. Here’s a deep dive into the history of olive oil. The Earliest Days: Domestication Of Olive Trees Using unrefined cold-pressed olive oil in your daily diet may help promote overall wellness. This olive oil is loaded with health-assisting polyphenols and a high concentration of oleocanthal, which may offer various benefits to your health. High-polyphenol olive oil is a type of olive oil that is high in antioxidants and has a longer shelf life than regular olive oil. To ensure that the high-polyphenol olive oil retains its flavor and nutritional benefits, it is important to store it properly.

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Karagounis T, Gittler J, Rotemberg V, Morel K. Use of "natural" oils for moisturization: review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil. Pediat Dermatol. 2018;36(1):9-15. doi:10.1111/pde.13621 According to a 2007 article by Paul Vossen of University of California Cooperative Extension, the precise origin of the olive tree is unclear. While we think of the olive as a product of Mediterranean countries, researchers speculate that the wild olive originated in Syria, or potentially sub-Saharan Africa. As far as dates go, you don’t want anything older than a year. So if you can find bottles with the harvest or production dates listed on them, great. 5. Do your homework The European Commission didn't simply stumble upon this gem from Croatia. It was recognition earned through rigorous standards and unyielding commitment to quality. The stamp of approval as a high-quality product underlines Croatia's dedication to preserving its ancient heritage while embracing modern techniques in olive oil production. More recently, olive oil was shown to protect against a number of neurological conditions, including dementias, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and reduced blood flow (cerebral ischaemia) related to ageing.

Another cooking method that is good for preserving polyphenols is roasting. Roasting involves cooking food in the oven at high temperatures. By using olive oil to coat the food before roasting, the polyphenols are protected from the direct heat. This premium olive oil hails from the heart of Iblei Mountain in Sicily, where it is carefully crafted to embody the region's rich tradition, flavors, and high nutritional values. This area is renowned for producing some of the finest quality olive oil on the island, making this product a true gem. As the oil matures, oxidation occurs which detracts from the original flavour. Keep all types of olive oil somewhere cool and dark. Most oils are best used within one year of pressing, so buy from outlets where turnover is high, and avoid large containers (especially those made from tin or aluminium). In fact, buy all oils in small sizes, so you renew them frequently. Cooking with olive oil In the heart of the Adriatic, nestled within the verdant landscapes of Istra, lies the secret behind Croatian extra virgin olive oil. A blend of tradition, climate, and innovation that has caught the attention of gourmands worldwide. Unique characteristics define this treasured elixir - a delicate balance between grassy notes and a subtle bitterness, an aftertaste that lingers like a cherished memory.It's important to note that while high polyphenol levels are desirable, they are not the only factor to consider when choosing an olive oil. Other factors to consider include the taste, aroma, and overall quality of the oil. Bottle – Exposure to light can speed-up the deterioration of cold-pressed olive oil. That’s why producers tend to distribute extra-virgin oils in dark-coloured or opaque bottles. This doesn’t mean you should avoid light-coloured bottles altogether, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan on storing your oil for a prolonged period of time. How much should I spend on olive oil?

Can you blame the ancient Greeks for believing these trees were godly? These trees produced a delicious bounty of fruit each year, which could be used for eating, lighting lamps, cosmetics, medicine, and more. Lowered cholesterol levels: Olive oil high in polyphenols can help lower LDL cholesterol levels, which is the "bad" cholesterol that can contribute to heart disease.The flavor profile of this olive oil is complex and well-balanced. It has tones of green tomato and aromatic green herbs with finishing notes of almond and artichoke. The bitterness, spiciness, and sweetness of the oil are harmonized perfectly, creating a unique and unforgettable taste experience. The olive reached its mythological zenith during the time of the ancient Greeks. Zeus offered Athena the guardianship of the city of Atikka in return for the gift of a grafted olive tree, which he deemed more valuable than Poseidon’s offering of a powerful war horse.

Guasch-Ferré M, Liu G, Li Y, et al. Olive oil consumption and cardiovascular risk in U.S. Adults. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(15):1729-1739. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.036 Unravel the threads of time, and you'll find the roots of Croatian olive oil intertwined with the history of Roman occupation. Olives and their liquid gold held a sacred place in Roman society. Whether for culinary use, lighting lamps, or anointing bodies in religious rites, olive oil was indispensable. That said, there have been instances in the world where it hasn’t just been an innocuous mix of cheaper vegetable oils. In an extreme case in 1981: 1,200 people died almost instantly and 25,000 people were hospitalized with neurological damage north of Madrid. It was from consuming olive oil that was in large part industrial rapeseed oil. It had an additive in it called aniline, which is a severe neurotoxin. It was one of the worst food catastrophes and food poisoning events in world history. And nobody talks about it.Drizzling this gourmet extra virgin olive oil on salads, dressings, pasta, meat, vegetables, dips, soups, marinades, bread, and more will transform your dishes with ease. The oil is versatile and can accent sautéed veggies, fried eggs, and even grilled fish. It's recommended to drizzle the oil on your food after cooking to maximize its flavor and health benefits. While this investigation has just come to light, fraud in the Italian olive oil industry is very old indeed. Amphorae used to store olive oil in ancient Rome display several anti-fraud measures, including clear labelling and a primitive form of "traceability". In the original Godfather novel, Mario Puzo modelled Vito Corleone on a real-life olive oil mafioso named Joe Profaci. Just this month, an American writer living in Liguria named Tom Mueller published a book about fraud in the Italian olive oil industry. The text develops an interesting article on the subject he wrote for the New Yorker in 2007. Evoolution’s extra virgin olive oils are the real deal. They meet a higher standard than the IOC Standard and we display the results of the chemical analysis with our extra virgin olive oils. We also let you try before you buy so you can judge for yourself (this may have been suspended by Covid safety protocols when you were in). In every bottle from a family-owned Croatian farm, there's a tribute to both past masters and current artisans. And so it is with Croatian olive oil - each taste is a celebration of its rich Roman roots and its vibrant present.