Colavita brand olive oil is commonly available in major supermarket chains, yet is one of the highest quality olive oils available at any cost. My husband is finicky about olive oil and swears by this brand because it is always fresh, has the 'right' flavor for his Italian palate, and has the perfect balance of fruity and peppery qualities.To clarify the meanings of fruity and peppery, these are two of a large number of qualities associated with olive oils. In fact, there are 21 qualities, ranging from apple to sweet.
The fruity quality of this oil is subtle and indicates that it is made from mature olives that have been properly handled. This particular brand holds this quality for about a week after you've opened the bottle, after which it slowly loses it.
Peppery describes a 'bite' in the back of your throat from a high-quality oil. This particular brand has a slight peppery quality that is pleasant and compliments the fruity quality.
The final quality upon which I judge olive oil is called "harmonious", which is a way of describing the blend. Since there is a slight hint of green leaf as well, this and the fruity and peppery qualities are harmonious to my palate.
Colavita brand comes from the Molise region of Italy, which is nestled between Puglia and Campania in central Southern Italy. The flavors from this region lack the heavy grassiness that characterize Tuscan olive oils, yet, are more fruity than Greek oils.
For value and everyday cooking - no matter how special the dish - this is one of the better oils on the market, and is certainly as good as many of the gourmet ones we have tried.
