Finally, a decent olive oil in Mercadona!
Thursday, May 30, 2019 @ 10:57 AM
One of my favourite olive oil producers, Aceites Oro Bailén, has just started selling an extra virgin olive oil in Mercadona. The producer has reached an agreement with the supermarket chain to supply an exclusive EVOO using the Picual variety under the brand name Casa Juncal. This producer has won numerous prizes nationally and internationally and is one of the best "early olive oil" producers in the country.
Since I moved house it has been even more difficult to get to a Carrefour or a Corte Inglés to buy decent olive oil, but finally, there is a decent olive oil in my local supermarket. OK, it's not as great as their best Olive Oil - Reserva Familiar Picual, but it is miles better than the oils on sale up to now, which have been no more than mediocre or bad.
It is an early oil from the November harvest giving it a more intense fruity flavour, however, it is not overpowering and nicely balanced for anyone's palate. Its organoleptic qualities are firstly defined by aromas of green olives, fresh grass and tomatoes with latter nuances of apple and even banana coming through. It offers an interesting balance of sweet and bitter, being a complex but harmonious oil. I would highly recommend you go out and try it. It only costs €3,99 for a 500ml, which is very good value for this oil. As far as pairing is concerned, I would only use this oil raw - on bread, salads, fresh cold sauces, dips etc.
If you are interested in knowing more about olive oil here is a series of articles I wrote explaining every aspect of this culinary wonder - the good and the bad! . Click here
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