IAN & SPAIN

A new variety of Extra Virgin Olive Oil has hit the shelves of Mercadona supermarkets, to accompany the other variety already on sale by Casa Juncal and which I wrote about when it was first released. Casa Juncal is a sub-brand of Oro Bailén (One of the best olive oil producers in Spain), which has provided the chain with one of its most awarded products: Casa Juncal Early Harvest Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), winner of a gold medal prize in both the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) and the London International Olive Oil Competitions (London IOOC).

The new Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) added to the range is Arbequina Early Harvest, in reference to the olive variety from which it is made. Native to Catalonia - it takes its name from the castle of Arbeca in Lleida, where the Duke of Medinaceli cultivated it. today it is widely cultivated across the Iberian Peninsula. It is characterised by being an oil with a sweet and fruity flavour -  a distinctive tropical scent of banana skin can be detected and it is an oil that is not peppery at all and does not have a bitter aftertaste either, which may be more to the liking of people who prefer it to dress salads or pour on toasted bread.

One of the best Arbequina oils I have ever tried was an organic one called Abbae de Queiles produced in Navarra. That was an award-winning Arbequina and this oil from Casa Juncal is not far behind for just a fifth of the price.

The best-known component of extra virgin olive oil is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat whose consumption has been associated with a decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. This is present in all extra virgin olive oils but the polyphenols which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds are present in a much lower quantity in Arbequina olive oils than other varieties. These antioxidants would be much higher in the Picual variety also on sale. That's not to say it isn't healthy, it is. You just can't have the polyphenols without modifying the taste.

If you taste these oils side by side you will clearly distinguish one from the other. And if you are keen to learn a little more about olive oil tasting take a look at my Olive Oil Tasting Guide.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to post them in the comments sections. I highly recommend you go out and get a sample of each, for the price they are the best oils on the market.