(English) In search of the unique Essence of the Olive

On Monday our week began with the first day of tastings of what are presumably the best Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) in the world.  The OLIO Award 2012 (www.olivenoeltest.de) is an international competition run by the prestigious German gourmet magazine DER FEINSCHMECKER, and takes place at the “Jahreszeiten Verlag” in the beautiful city of Hamburg.

The jury is composed of a panel of EVOO tasters and experts from Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Greece and the United States. Most are veteran members of the jury, except for a couple of new additions, like myself.

On the first day of tasting of over 200 samples, 20% were found to have defects, a further 20% were neither here nor there, while the remainder of the olive juices sampled, displaying excellent organoleptic profiles, were selected for the final.

So it has been an interesting and intense week, dedicated to finding that one, single essence with a unique harmonious complexity.