Olive You: Real Talk About Olive Oil
What It Is: Olive oil has actually been a topic of discussion at many a dinner party I’ve been attended – from friends who expound upon their love of high end olive oils to those who’ve heard of the mass amounts of ‘olive oil’ fraud, it’s an oddly hot topic for any type of foodie. The good news? Oleiva might just be the salve to all this chatter. Crafted by a third-generation family of olive farmers based in Tunisia, this sumptuous product is made using old world techniques, like picking the olives by hand and cold pressed on-site at the family’s mill within 24 hours of harvesting, ensuring optimal flavour.
This commitment extends to ensuring the consumer is educated about what it means to buy real EVOO. Oleiva prides itself on a number of things – that cold-pressed technique isn’t just marketing speak; it means no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process, for a purer, healthier, and downright tastier product. They also never ‘cut’ their EVOO with other oils (like sunflower oil – a common cost-saving practice that results in ‘light’ olive oil). You’ll also want to pay attention to whether a bottle says ‘made in’ or ‘bottled in’ Italy – if the former, the oil likely comes from a less desirable locale. Finally, cost-wise the folks at Oleiva point to the fact EVOO trades at a rate comparable to gold; if you’re paying less than $7 a bottle, you’re probably sacrificing quality along the way. The good news? Oleiva is widely available across Canada – and at a fair price for so much yum.
Who It’s For: Bring a bottle as a hostess gift, or pair it with a balsamic vinegar (a whole different category of ‘food fraud’ there by the way) as a sweet thank you gift for a foodie friend.
What It Costs: $10.99 for a 1L bottle.
Where It’s At: Retail availability differs per province / region, but in general:
Newfoundland – Dominion, Sobeys, Select Independent Grocers
East Coast/Maritimes (NS, PEI, New Brunswick) – Atlantic Superstore, Sobeys, Select Independent Grocers
Quebec – Provigo, IGA, Metro, Select Independent Grocers
Ontario – Loblaws, Superstore, Zehrs, Valumart, Select Independent Grocers
West Coast (AB, MB, SK, BC) – Superstore West, Select Independent Grocers
Yukon + Northwest Territories – Select Independent Grocers
Want to get cooking with Oleiva? I’ve also got a yummers recipe for gnocchi with butternut squash and mushrooms. Let’s get cooking!
SERVES: 4
PREPARATION TIME: 10 mins
COOKING TIME: 35 mins
TOTAL TIME: 45 mins
INGREDIENTS
- 1 butternut squash weighing about 800 g (1.75 lb)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Oleiva Traditional Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Butter
- 6 sage leaves
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 1 cup (120 g) shiitake mushroom
- 500g (1 lb) gnocchi
- Freshly grated parmesan, to serve
METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 200˚C (392˚F). Peel the butternut squash and cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds and fibres. Cut the flesh into 2cm (¾ in) chunks.
- Put the squash in a large shallow baking tray. Drizzle the Oleiva Traditional Extra Virgin Olive Oil over top and toss the chunks until coated, then season. Roast in the oven for 30 mins until the butternut squash is soft and browned along the edges.
- Meanwhile, melt a knob of butter in a large pan. Add the sage leaves and cook for a few seconds until they have deepened in colour. Stir in the garlic, then the shiitake mushrooms. Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mushrooms are edged with gold.
- Cook the gnocchi according to the packet instructions, then drain well. Finally toss in the drained gnocchi with the mushrooms and butternut squash. Serve with Parmesan.
Finally, who would like to up their olive oil quality at the dinner table? You do? Awesome, cause I am giving away two bottles of Oleiva Traditional Extra Virgin Olive Oil to one lucky reader – one for you and one for a friend (unless you’re feeling greedy…) Here’s how to enter for your chance to win:
1) READ THIS FIRST! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 20, 2017 telling me one thing you learned from this post – and why you’d love to win!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 21, 2017 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Get social with Olevia on Instagram or Facebook @oleivacanada using hashtags #OleivaEVOO #MadeWithOleiva – Share links back to your posts in separate comments below to earn up to two extra entries into the draw.
Canadian Gift Guide 
Sound like a wonderful product, I cook daily with olive oil and I will try this brand for sure! The price is great for a quality olive oil, and I would love to see if this product is as good as you say!
I would like to win
Oleiva oil is made without compromise to quality. There are no added chemicals and it is not diluted with other oils. I would love to win this prize. We have become much more health conscious in our household in the last year or so, and I use olive oil everyday in as many ways as I can.I am eliminating less healthy oils almost entirely. Thanks for the chance!
I learned that Oleiva is chemical free and made without heat. I’d like to win to try this product since paying for quality is usually worth the extra costs.
I’m already a subscriber! I learned that some Olive Oils (Light Olive Oil) are cut with other, cheaper oils, like Sunflower Oil. I didn’t know that. I think I’m usually pretty savy about what I’m purchasing, but this was one thing I was totally unaware of, and it bugs me, because it seems dishonest and sneaky. Glad that this company doesn’t do that. I want to win because I’ve been really trying to get my health back on track (hitting 40 kind of made me realize I better), and this would really help out with that. Oh, and also because I’d love to share with my Mum. Thank you for the chance.
i have subscribed, I use olive oil daily while cooking. I didn’t realize there is fraudulent olive oils out there.
I learned the olive oil I am buying is probably fraudulent. I’d love to try the real thing!
They don’t use chemicals & I would like to use this oil to roast vegetables.
I learned the difference between real and light olive oil.
I’ve read about the trade in fraudulent olive oils, but now I know that Oleiva is a safe buy, and can be found in the region where I live.
I’ve learned another great recipe for squash 🙂
We cook with olive oil daily so I would love to get a couple free bottles. I learned that not all olive oil is actually 100% olive oil and may be mixed with other oils
Not diluted with other oils, is really good. I am a subscriber. Great gift idea.
I’m already a follower! I learn that cold-pressed technique means no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process.
I didn’t know that the term “‘light olive oil” meant that it was a blend with other oils, I thought it just meant that it was processed to be lower in calories?!?!?!
I learned the difference between real and light olive oils.
Olive oil trades at a rate comparable to gold – I had no idea! Olive oil is the only type I use now, to avoid nasty GMO’s. I would love to try this high quality oil!
I learned that most light olive oils are blended with sunflower and other oils. I also know that this brand is sold in superstore in my region. I’d love to win because I like cooking with healthy oils! Olive oil is one of my favorites to use in salads.
I didn’t understand what ‘cold-pressed’ olive oil entailed. Thanks for the enlightenment!
I’m a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber. I learned Oleiva doesn’t ‘cut’ their olive oil with other oils and I’d like to try a better quality oil. Thanks
I learned where to find it in my area and read labels! We use olive oil for a healthy oil choice. Would love to win this!
I learned that Olivie Oil Fraud was a thing, and I immediately googled it. I had no idea.
I love making foccacia bread and to use this oil for dipping would be wonderful.
I didn’t know that light olive oil actually had other oils in it like sunflower oil.
I’m a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber, I learned light olive oils are blended with sunflower and other oils
Like that they never cut their purity with other oils or use any chemicals. Would love these as I appreciate good quality olive oil in spite of its cost.
I learned about Olive Oil price points, what to look for on the label regarding bottling, and that there is also balsamic vinegar fraud going on.
I learned about the process of making olive oil, and I love cooking with new things.
Yes, an odd topic to discuss – food fraud, but seems to be very prevalent today. Learned that ‘light’ oil is cut with other non-olive oil products. And love olive oil just by itself on salad or with fresh bread and balsamic vinegar.
I learned about a great brand with good quality products. Id love to try this olive oil in my cooking. Sounds so good.
I learned that some olive oils “cut” their oil with other oils like sunflower.
I learned that most light olive oils are blended with sunflower and other oils.
I learned that EVOO trades at a rate comparable to gold!
I have learned to read whether the oil bottles are made in Italy or bottled in Italy, I didn’t realize what a difference this makes. I’m in BC so we don’t have this exact product, and I use olive oil daily in my cooking, so I would love to try his one, thanks for the chance to win, insta fan@plumerea
I learned a new recipe to try, sounds delish. On this topic, see my review of Real Food/Fake Food: Why You Don’t Know What You’re Eating and What You Can Do About by Larry Olmstead https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1696810519 – l recommend this book, which includes a section on olive oils.
I learned that most light olive oils are blended with canola or other oils. I’d love to win to see what the real deal olive oil tastes like.
I learnt that there is such thing as olive oil’ fraud. Never heard of that before! I’d love to win this because I love good olive oil for dunking fresh bread in – needs to be great quality/taste to make it scrumptious!!
I learned that “light” olive oil is cut with another type of oil!! I had no idea! I’d love to win this to see what old world style olive oil tastes like!
I learned the that cold-pressed technique means no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process. So it is purer and healthy.
I learned that a lot of olive oils are watered down with cheaper oils. I never splurge for good olive oil, so I’d love to win this!
Always invest in quality olive oil rather than buying bargain brands
I learned about the presence of Oleiva Extra Virgin Olive Oil (which had somehow somehow evaded my grocery shopping radar) and of the old world production techniques used in the production of its fine quality.
I’m surprised and disappointed to see that light olive oil actually had other oils in it, like sunflower oil. I’d love to win this terrific prize because I haven’t tried Oleiva oil yet and after reading this review, would love to!
I learned that this olive oil came from Tunisa. And yes, I’d keep (and use) both bottles
“Made in” and “bottled”. Seems like just another way to try and trick and us. I do like to use olive oil and would love to win a bottle of the best.
There’s a difference between “made in” and “bottled in”. I would love to win!
I didn’t realize that cheaper oils may contain other oils in them so olive oil may not be pure. I would love to win because I have been trying to purchase healthier foods.
where’s the entry?
The Gnocchi and butternut squash recipe is a must try. But I’ll need Oleiva olive oil to make it…
I use olive oil daily for cooking, making salves, hair treatment. Olive oil is the best.
I learned that if the bottle says ‘made in’ or ‘bottled in’ Italy – if the former, the oil likely comes from a less desirable locale
I use olive oil nearly everyday and would love to try these!
This olive oil sounds great! Thanks for hosting this contest 💕
I am going to try it…. I have recently learned that not all brands of Olive oil is good!
I am a loyal subscriber.
I learned that I am guilty of buying crappy olive oil.
I would like to win because I am trying to eat better.
I learned that Oleiva is chemical free and made without heat. I’d like to win this Olive oil as I use olive oil ever day
I learned that the cold pressing technique makes for a purer, healthier, tastier product. I love using olive oils in my recipes but with this one, I’d love to taste it with grape tomatoes, basil and bocconcini cheese with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
I habe subscribed. Even though this product is Tunisian it was great to hear it is widely available in Canada.
What an awesome company love that they press the olives almost right away to ensure flavour !!
I have never used this oil..but I will try it for sure!
This post taught me to read the label more carefully when selecting my next bottle of olive oil.
And I’d love to win because olive oil is a pantry staple in my kitchen.
I follow on Instagram as @citygal28 and commented here:
I learned of the cold press method, pretty cool.
Learned that if the Olive Oil is cheaper than $7, then the company is sacrificing quality. I would love to win as I use Olive Oil daily!
I learned what store in B.C. I can find Oleiva Olive Oil.
I learned that it is cold-pressed meaning no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process, for a purer, healthier, and tastier product. It is never ‘cut’ their EVOO with other oils (like sunflower oill). I also learned to pay attention to whether a bottle says ‘made in’ or ‘bottled in’ Italy.
I forgot to say that I use olive oil almost daily. This sounds like a good product at a good price. Thanks for the giveaway.
No added chemicals & it’s not diluted with other, lesser oils!
I didn’t know that light olive oil was cut with other oils.
I am a subscriber and I learned that a lot of brands cut their olive oil with other oils. Thanks!
Didn’t realize light olive oils were cut with other oils.
I had not previously paid attention to “made in” versus “bottled in”. I would like to try this product to see how it compares to the olive oil I currently use.
I learned that olive oul trades at a price comparable to gold – who knew? I use olive oil exclusively so wouyld love to try this brand which is new to me.
the cold press method is cool
Would love to win.
I didn’t realize that the use of lesser grade products were often used as defined by the ‘made in’ or ‘bottled in’ label. You learn something new huh?
I learned “cold pressed” mean no chemicals. I would love to win this olive oil so I can experience what good oil should taste like.
I found out I can buy this at superstore. I would love to win this to make this recipe.
I found out the term “bottled in” usually means that oil comes from a less desirable locale. I would love to win this prize so that I can make the recipe you provided.
I learned that it’s crafted by a third-generation family of olive farmers based in Tunisia. I would like to win because I have a foodie family and we love high quality ingredients. A lot of them are really expensive though.
I am really impressed by the fact that this olive oil is made using old world techniques, like picking the olives by hand and cold pressed on-site at the family’s mill within 24 hours of harvesting, ensuring optimal flavour. I’d love to win because I consider myself a foodie but not one that wants to spend $100 on a bottle of extra virgin olive oil. I will check this brand out next time I shop for olive oil.
EVOO trades at a rate comparable to gold; if you’re paying less than $7 a bottle, you’re probably sacrificing quality along the way. Wow!!
I never paid attention to whether olive oil was ‘made in’ or ‘bottled in’ Italy ….now I will!
I learned to look for “made in Italy” or “bottled in Italy” for a higher quality product!
I learned that the olives in this oil are picked by hand, and I’d love to win because I like trying different kinds of olive oil and I haven’t tried this one.
I would love to try this brand. I didn’t think to check where it was bottled vs where it is from!
I learned the difference between ‘made in’ and ‘bottled in’ Italy. I would love to win because I love olive oil, especially one that is as pure, healthy and tasty as Oleiva!
I learned the difference between olive oil being labeled as ‘made in’ or ‘bottled in’ Italy!
I’d love to win because I use olive oil in cooking a lot and I want to use the best!
I like to cook with the best olive oil so I hope to win this prize.
I learned that this product is made using old world techniques, like picking the olives by hand. I’d love to win so I can add great flavour to my dishes.
I always use olive oil and would love to try this lovely product!
learnt what is meant by the cold pressed technique and would love to win as use alot of olive oil and would like to compare this product with others as it sounds delicious
I learned that the cold-pressed technique means no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process! I’d love to win and try the difference!
commented on: https://www.instagram.com/p/BbITcuYFDL1/?taken-by=oleivacanada
as victoriaess2
I’ve learned that there is a difference between made in and bottled in Italy. I’d love to win simply because I love olive oil, and I’m trying to eat healthier.
I never new that EVOO could be diluted with with other oils and still have the right to be called EVOO. I’d love to win and try the guaranteed quality product for myself.
Big difference between made in and bottled in and sourcing olive oil
love good quality olive oil
I learnt the difference between ‘made in’ and ‘bottled in’ Italy
I learned there’s a big difference between bottling/sourcing olive oil! Who knew?
I learned that there’s such a thing as olive oil fraud!
I learned that I need to pay close attention to if it was bottled in or made in Italy.
I learned that cold-pressed technique isn’t just marketing speak; it means no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process, for a purer, healthier, and downright tastier product. I want to win because I would love to compare this product to olive oil that I currently cook with.
As I get older I can really taste the difference in qualoty of olive oil (chocolaye too, but thats another post). I eat a plant based diet and sauted veggies are a staple. I would love to try cooking with this oil.
I didn’t know that some olive oils are cut with cheaper oils. I like that this company uses old-world techniques.
I learned there is a difference between “made in” and “bottled in” Italy!
I learned that cold pressed means no chemicals or heat are used in the extraction process
I learned that “cold pressed” means no heat or chemicals are used in the extraction process, and that “light” olive oils are cut with cheaper oils (!) to reduce the cost. I would love to try these oils, I use olive oil for all of my cooking – yum!
Oleiva uses no chemicals or heat in the extraction process