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In the world of olive oil there was no shortage of strong opinions and words to remember in 2011. Online news site the Olive Oil Times narrowed them down to the best, however, publishing a list of the 20 most memorable quotes from 2011 – including three from Australian olive industry members Amanda Bailey, Leandro Ravetti and Paul Miller.
Read MoreA free online course that aims to increase environmental awareness in the food and drink sectors could help processing and packaging SMEs save money and boost their green credentials, said the body championing the initiative.
Read MoreAnother extra virgin olive oil blended to woo young taste buds is being marketed by a Spanish producer.
Designed to be subtle in flavor but fruity and slightly sweet, the new product from Almería-based Castillo de Tabernas is 60% Picual, 20% Hojiblanca and 20% Arbequina and has a maxmimum acidity of 0.1%. The company says the blends were those preferred in taste tests with more than 2000 children and are designed to introduce them to EVOO’s health benefits from an early age. Perhaps we should be taking ‘Fresher is Better’ into Australian and New Zealand kindergartens – Ed.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has missed its January 4 deadline for publishing details of how it will regulate imported food under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), but says it will update the industry “soon”. The rules relate to the proposed Foreign Supplier Verification Program, which will see importers required to provide verification of certification and compliance with FDA regulations.
Read MoreOnly three Australian and four New Zealand producers have taken advantage of the listings available in the Olive Oil Times’ international online Olive Oil Guide. The guide provides each olive oil brand with its own page on the Olive Oil Times website, complete with producer information, production methods, tasting notes, suggested food pairings, accolades, a link to the producer’s website and retail outlets where consumers can buy products. Producers are allowed one free brand submission, with a small fee charged for each additional brand submission. Learn more https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-business/olive-oil-guide-faq/17815
Read MoreSpain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and the Environment has teamed up with the organization Ibercaja y Zeytum Servicios Oleotécnicos to create an olive oil educational program aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of olive oil. The first course runs from January to May at the Centro Cultural de Ibercaja, and consists of five theoretical and practical sessions. Each session allows students to discover the different benefits, aromas and flavors of the main varieties of olive oil through a process of comprehensive sensory analysis.
Read MoreFor the second year in a row, Britain’s annual Taste of London gastronomical event will feature the European Olive Oil Program. The campaign organizers hope its presence at the festival will help spawn increased interest in the so-called ‘liquid gold’. Olive oil, particularly that of Spanish origin, has grown increasingly popular among the Brits in recent years, with sales increasing by 17% since 2009. More than 50,000 are expected to attend the month-long Taste of London event, providing country-wide promotion for European EVOO. Any olive oil producers taking part in the Australia Day promotional events in the UK this year – and if not, why aren’t we? – Ed.
Read MoreThe internationally-recognised health benefits of extra virgin olive oil do not rate in the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines released on 13 December by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Other ingredients in the Mediterranean Diet are recommended, as is the replacement of some saturated fat by vegetable oils high in monounsaturated fats, however EVOO doesn’t rate a mention. The Guidelines are out for public consultation until 29 February 2012.
Read MoreA Facebook shopping app has been launched in Australia, aiming to help small businesses reverse recent downward trends in consumer spending. Developed by Brisbane-based start-up aradium, the app enables small businesses to run an online e-commerce store on Facebook, the world’s largest social networking website. More information www.facebook.com/aradium and read more in the coming edition of Olivegrower & Processor.
Read MoreRandom weather conditions continue to be experienced across Australia, from heat waves to heavy rains, floods and even cyclones. How has your grove fared? Have you lost blossoms or young fruit to strong winds? Is your grove under water, or parched from days of scorching heat? Send Olivegrower & Processor editor Gerri Nelligan an email with details of what’s been happening in your area, and she’ll compile a snapshot of how things are looking across the country. And New Zealand growers, we’d love reports from you too. Send your details to [email protected]
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