11 NEW EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OILS (top) and 10 NEW VINEGARS (below) from BEYOND THE OLIVE
This week begins a new chapter for Random Acts of Breadness as we introduce our new line of Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars and one Red Wine Vinegar from Beyond the Olive in Pasadena.
BTO is the creation of Lisa Grabow, and if you've tasted and purchased any of our tapenades, you are familiar with the brand. Her products are fresh and flavorful: two requirements of any artisan products we offer to our customers at the bakery.
When I was notified last month that Ojai Olive Oil Company would no longer be supplying their products to shops outside of the Ojai Valley area, I had the daunting task of finding Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that could step in and match the quality, freshness and flavors that we and our customers have enjoyed for the past 3-1/2 years.
Very fortunately, I knew that Lisa's main business was Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars, so it was just a matter of having her come to the bakery so I could sample as many of her products as possible. After tasting about 16 extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) and a dozen or so balsamic vinegars (BVs) and one red wine vinegar, I settled on 11 EVOOs, 9 BVs and that 1 RWV!
A couple of notes to help orient you to BTO compared to our previous EVOO and BV products: Although BTO is based in Pasadena, the EVOOs are grown, milled and pressed in northern and central California (locations listed on each product page). They are generally more buttery and smoother than our previous line. All Balsamic Vinegars are produced in Modena, Italy, but the flavor infusions are blended in California. These BVs are thicker and sweeter than their Ojai counterparts. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety of these vinegars. And the lone Lambrusco Red Wine Vinegar is definitely worth tasting.