As Giuseppe introduces us to his son, Fabio, it is clear that he has inherited his father’s love of the land and its flavors.  Instead of telling us all his accomplishments, he praises the miracle of nature in the spring, when flowers bloom and fruits fill the trees and vines.   I watched this video before opening my new bottle of Marini Giuseppe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil Toscano IGP, and I had to smile at the first taste.  Breathing in its aroma hints at the flavors to come, spicy and fruity at the same time.  The first taste is soft...

There are few things more instantly satisfying than the first drop of a high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Mia Emilia’s Goccia Umbra Olive Oil makers must have realized that long ago when creating their company.  Goccia Umbra means, “Drop of Umbria”, and that it is.  Umbria is a gorgeous region of central Italy between Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche.  Splendid hill towns and rich farmlands bless this region with some of Italy’s most delicious products.  The producers explain the origins of Goccia Umbra at Castel Vitiano, a tower which has stood for a thousand years in these Umbrian hills.  Surrounded...

Bruschetta, one of Italy’s most beloved appetizers, and one of the easiest to make yourself.  To make your own bruschetta, start by thinly slicing a good, artisanal white bread.  Drizzle your favorite of Mia Emilia’s Authentic Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oils onto each slice and toast your slices.  The traditional, rustic way to toast the bread is on the grill, but if circumstances are not conducive to grilling, an oven will work.  The next step is to rub, not slice, raw garlic onto each piece of bread.  This infuses the flavor into the bread.  These beginning steps are the same for...

To be considered Extra Virgin, the oil must be mechanically pressed, crushing the entire olive without chemical or heat treatment.  The words, “cold pressed” refer to this lack of heat involved.  As a result of this method, the acidity is very low, less than 1%.  Health benefits are maximized, retaining the vitamins and antioxidants naturally occurring in the olive itself.  Color is green or golden, and the appearance is often cloudier than that of regular olive oil.  Even with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, quality and origin can vary.  Italy has a great solution to assure the utmost quality.  Look for...

Have you ever noticed how the first notes of a mandolin send your mind off dreaming of sparkling seas or fields of sunflowers?  How the scent of fresh basil and ripe tomatoes makes you beg for spicy olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar?  For me, those tastes bring back sweet memories with the Italian people while basking in the joys produced by their land.