How to Taste an EVOO Like an Expert: Practical Tips
Why Taste Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Tasting extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) helps to appreciate its full aromatic complexity. Like wine, each EVOO has a unique sensory profile.
Benefits of a Proper Tasting
Proper tasting allows you to identify fruity notes, bitterness, and spiciness, ensuring the oil’s quality and purity.
Essential Tools
It’s recommended to use cobalt blue tasting glasses to avoid color bias and to have an odor-free environment.
The Steps of a Professional Tasting
1. Olfactory Analysis
Pour a small amount of EVOO into a glass, warm it slightly in your hands, and take a deep inhale to identify the aromas.
2. Gustatory Analysis
Take a sip and let the oil coat your mouth. You will perceive fruity, bitter, and spicy notes, which are characteristic of EVOO.
3. Aromatic Persistence
After swallowing the oil, note the lingering flavors and their intensity.