Combinations with olive oil

Olive Oil Pairings

Olive oil is liquid gold and is believed to have been used since before 4000 BC. While the concept is simple—pressing olives until the oil is released—this oil is anything but: it’s the epitome of versatility. In fact, there are many unexpected foods that pair well with olive oil that you should try!

But first things first: choose the right oil. When using olive oil as a garnish or pairing it with desserts and gourmet products, it’s important to choose high-quality extra virgin olive oil. And if you’re open-minded, try drizzling a quality EVOO over ice cream or try it with dark chocolate, coffee, or vanilla ice cream.

The surprisingly delicious combination of olive oil and ice cream is excellent because it creates the perfect balance between sweet and savory. High-quality olive oil should have a subtle citrus and floral flavor, coupled with its smooth, fatty mouthfeel, that can elevate a dish, even a dessert.

Coffee

Adding some type of fat to coffee is a long-standing practice around the world, especially in the Himalayas. It’s not uncommon to find ghee coffee in such areas, which is believed to give the coffee an extra health boost. In fact, adding cream to coffee is another way to balance coffee’s natural acidity with fat. Therefore, olive oil blended with coffee isn’t as unusual as it might seem. Simply stir 1 teaspoon of EVOO into your morning cup of coffee and let your taste buds do the talking.

Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate mousse, while usually made with heavy cream, egg yolks, and chocolate, can be made with almost anything these days. In general, all mousse recipes have some common threads: they are sweet, rich, and fatty.

Dark chocolate itself can be bittersweet, so it’s no surprise that it pairs wonderfully with olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil can make the mousse even richer. It’s important to use extra virgin olive oil because “regular” olive oil lacks the intensity of flavor that EVOO has.

Fruit Salad

Fruit is fresh, light, sweet, and tangy, so it’s no surprise that it can be enhanced when paired with a fruity olive oil. In fact, olives themselves are classified as a fruit, so zesty citrus fruits tend to complement EVOO very well. Make sure to cut large, chunky fruits so they’re bite-sized, and wait until the end to add any soft fruits like bananas that might get mashed or broken when blended. Fresh mint or basil can also help enhance a fruit salad.

Make your olive oil vinaigrette with honey and lime juice. Whisk the ingredients until creamy and smooth. Pour it over the salad and gently toss the fruit until the dressing completely coats it. This will add incredible flavor to the dish.

Cheese

Drizzle any cheese with high-quality EVOO and see what your taste buds have to say! Warm cheeses like baked Brie or a warm feta cheese dip with extra virgin olive oil to enhance their oily texture. Any way you slice it, olive oil helps enhance the cheese’s unique natural flavors and should be used on cheese plates or charcuterie boards.