Congratulations Australia!

The Australian Olive Association has reported that the 2011 harvest has produced just over 16 million litres of olive oil - so fire up the barbie! Victoria is the highest producing state responsible for over 10 million litres.

Whilst production is slightly down on predictions, due in part to the heat and heavy flooding earlier in the year, the good news is that over 80% of this olive oil meets the extra virgin classification.

Send A Postcard

Email is great but why not surprise someone by sending them a postcard this summer! Inspired by photos taken during my travels a range of high quality products are now available including cards, mugs, aprons, bags and mouse mats. The best news is you can customise them at no extra charge - so why not add a name or message and MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY - today!

The Olives Are Waiting by OlivePicking
Browse other Ripe Postcards

This brilliant design service comes from Zazzle, please use the link above to view the products direct (they don't have a white border this is just for display on the blog).

Australian Olive Oil Standards

Olive oil producers in Australia are welcoming the introduction last week of voluntary new standards which will ensure more accurate labelling of olive oil (both home produced and imported). These provide a clear definition what can be classified as Extra Virgin Olive Oil and producers will need to verify their oil production methods in order to use terms such as  first extraction and cold pressed. Bottles will also be required to carry a 'best before' date that has been accurately formulated. The industry, represented by the Australian Olive Association gave a welcome to the standards which have come about after a lengthy, ten year, consultation process.

Our Olive Oil Intake is Increasing!

UK consumers are purchasing more olive oil now than at any time previously. Foreign travel, cookery programmes and health benefits have all driven up the amount of olive oil we consume.  Annual sales have reached £150 million a year, with a steady increase over the last twenty years.

However for me the amazing statistic is that half our households in the UK don't use any olive oil! For me extra virgin olive oil is my 'can't live without' culinary item (along with sea salt and fresh black pepper).

Surprise Result From Olive Oil Testing

The revered UK consumer magazine "Which?" recently carried out a taste testing on 12 extra virgin olive oils commonly available in the UK.  The surprise result from this 'blind' tasting was that the winner was Napolina's standard extra virgin olive oil. This cheaper Napolina oil beat their more expensive Special Selection product (which costs almost £2 more) and came top overall.

Latest Award for Greek Oil

I am delighted to congratulate The Astrikas Estate in northwestern Crete who have just won an award for their organic, stone milled and cold pressed Biolea oil. This latest quality award is from 'Gastronome' which rewards producers, processors and traders of outstanding Greek produce. If you are visiting Crete this summer the Astrikas Estate is located at Kolymbari about 30 km from Chania and they offer a warm welcome to visitors throughout the year. Concerned with the environment and sustainability the company works to promote organic cultivation in Crete.