Joe & Son’s Olive Oils

 

You may know that you prefer a Pinot Grigio to a Chardonnay, but do you know your favorite varietal of olive oil?  Did you even know there are many varieties?   If you were able to attend the Food and Wine Tasting tonight that Joe & Son’s Olive Oils held, you would have.

Joe & Son’s Olive Oils is one of South Tampa’s newest little secrets.  But it won’t be a secret for long.   Joe & Son’s Olive Oils has row upon row of gleaming vats lining its many shelves and table tops much like a liquor store, and the owner hopes that her customers will soon be talking about olive oils and balsamic vinegars like they would an old Bordeaux.    I enjoyed talking with some of their new customers tonight, hearing them ask how they could use some of the different olive oils and balsamic vinegars in their home cooking.  Of course I shared with them what knowledge I could, of what I have learned from store owner Andrea.  I hope they enjoy some of the combinations I suggested.

Of course tasting olive oils is reminiscent of wine tasting as well.  Tonight though, customers were not only treated to the many casks of wonderful olive oils and balsamic vinegars to sample,  they were treated as well to a glass of wine and a few recipes in which their product is prominently highlighted.  Many of their recipes can be found here.

Of course you could find me at the sampling table of their food recipes between stops at a few of the vats containing the flavored balsamic vinegars that I had not yet discovered. 

Now if you are new at sampling olive oils and balsamic vinegars, you  should first hold the sample filled cup between your hands to warm it and release the full flavor.  After a fragrant smell, you should sip the olive oil through your teeth with plenty of air — just like tasting a fine wine, then use the provided breads to dip and further taste the oil or vinegar.

The flavors range from smooth, clean and mellow to grassy, pungent and even spicy.  I have purchased many of their products and enjoy using them in many of my own recipes.  Out of the hundreds of possible oil and vinegar combinations, I am enjoying the Chipotle Olive Oil the most in my recipes.

Tonight I  tasted many of the infused oils & vinegars, with flavors ranging from garlic, basil and chipotle to strawberry, lemon, peach, and wild mushroom and sage.  Here is a link to the different oils and vinegars they carry.  I admit that my favorite is still the dark chocolate balsamic. 

Along with the olive oils, they carry many dips, spreads and even black garlic.  Of course y’all know I bought some of that garlic to try out.   Joe & Sons Olive Oils offers three bottle sizes, waiting to be filled with your favorite selections,  sealed after filling and ready for you to take home and enjoy.

If you can not make it to their store here in South Tampa, you can always go online  at Joeandsonsoliveoils.com and order from them directly.