An Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Tasting Bar In Fort Collins?
Vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, mazola oil? Who needs 'em when you can use infused olive oil?
I've fallen in love with olive oil. About 2-3 years ago someone finally warmed me up to the idea that I can almost always use olive oil in place of most cooking oils and I discovered that I liked the flavor more. Turns out, it's also a LOT healthier for you. (Prior to this revelation I had never used olive oil for anything other than dipping sauces at Italian restaurants. )
But walking in Old town Fort Collins over the weekend I saw a sign for the Rocky Mountain Olive Oil Company and decided to check it out.
One word summed up my adventure, "wow." A whole store that specializes in oils and balsamic vinegars. They boast 45 premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world and even have some other fun things like avocado oil, truffle oil, nut oils and more.
They greatest part about it was that everything is "try before you buy." You're encouraged to sample any and all of the oils/vinegars they offer and there are some amazing ones! I loved a number of the infused oils; basil, blood orange, garlic lemon and lime were some of my favorites and I walked out of the shop eager to go experiment in my kitchen.
I bought a bottle of the blood-orange infused olive oil after one of the ladies working suggested to use it on some chicken. (Guess what I'm making for dinner tonight?)
The shop employees were very friendly, they were helpful and knowledgeable but weren't pushing me into buying anything. It just felt like they were really excited about what they were selling.
If you're an olive oil fan, I'd suggest checking this place out. It's just one more reason to love living in Fort Collins. And if you're not sure you like olive oil, I bet you can find one that gets you excited in this place. They're located on the east side of College Avenue between Mountain and Laporte.
On a side note, here is a great site for just about anything you need to know about olive oil. Everything from recipes, to tasting, to storage.
And a link to one of the greatest "other" oils I have ever tasted in my life. Colorado Cellars roasted garlic grapeseed oil. I discovered this on one of our western slope adventures. Mmm, mmm good.
What's your favorite use for olive oil?
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