American Olive Oil

[sandiasingh]

Has anyone tast tested the American Olive Oils? How do they compare to the mid priced Italian, Spanish or Greek oils? Ina Garten has been using a Californian one. I would rather use US made if it does not contain GMOs. I buy EU products is many cases because all countries but Spain prohibit GMOs.

Suggestions are welcome.

[Midlife]

I don't think it's possible to have any of their oil shipped to you, so you (or someone you know) will have to be in Napa (darn!!!), but Napa Valley Olive Oil Company is one of the coolest places in the Valley and the oil is VERY GOOD.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/napa-valley-o...

[Bidnezz]

I heard this story on NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012..., and am looking for some domestic brands. Let me know if you found any reasonably-priced brands you like!

[bbqboy]

here's a local startup from Southern Oregon/Northern California...
http://www.roguevalleybrambles.com/Co...

[Scary Bill]

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/1...

[laststandchili]

http://www.sciabica.com/

I bought a sampler from these folks once. It was very good, but I can't recall specifics beyond that. Reviewing the site, it seems to me the prices are reasonable.

[Sam Salmon]

I've tried a few US oils-none were to my taste or worth nearly the price being asked.

Plus the adulteration problems that plague the whole olive oil industry give me pause.

[ellabee]

I find it hard to believe that U.S. producers, operating on such a smaller scale and selling almost entirely to a U.S. market, have even much opportunity for the adulteration abuses that have reportedly gone on with companies that pool mass quantities from different countries.

Without any examples to point to, it seems really unfair to assume that U.S. olive producers / distributors have taken part in any such fraud.

[aynrandgirl]

Somebody (Cook's Illustrated?) did an extra-virgin olive oil adulteration test recently. One of the two that passed was Walmart's.

[Perilagu Khan]

Heh. THAT out to put the cat amongst the pigeons.

[ellabee]

Were any of the olive oils in the test U.S. produced?

Any chance of a more specific link or pointer?

[bob96]

Bariani, extra virgin produced by an Italian immigrant family near Sacramento, has always been a value favorite, and the California Olive Ranch extra virgin (used to be at Costco) is excellent and a bargain. The California industry is set to explode, but watch out for overpriced boutique oils.

[sandiasingh]

I think you're right Bob with all the buy local stuff going on. And that's good. That's what got me to thinking about it. I will look into these, chowhounders, thank you.

[wyogal]

I love the olive oil from Queen Creek Olive Mill in AZ.
http://queencreekolivemill.com/