8 replies to this topic

[TheFountain]

I recently ordered some extra virgin olive oil from amphora nueve and all three bottles I received contain oil that has a bitter flavor. Now when I say bitter I mean bitter compared to what I am use to consuming (colavita etc).

Can someone clear up for me if this bitterness is desirable, as far as freshness and polyphenol content is concerned? Or could it be that the transportation from the more arid and warm california climate to the colder, more humid climate of where I am could have effected chemical changes somehow? Thanks.

[niner]

Bitterness tends to be the price you pay for a high polyphenol oil. Polyphenols are by their nature bitter. I've had a couple different oils from them. One really didn't taste very good, the other was pretty good. The oil should have a 'bite' to it. If it makes you cough, then it's probably pretty good. Which oil did you get? There are a bunch of little neighborhood olive oil stores all over the place that mostly get their oil from Veronica Foods. If you have one in your area, you can go there and do some tastings. If you're lucky, they'll even list the chemistry of the oil. Then you can pick out something that both tastes decent and has good chemistry. If you're going to buy a lot, you would probably want to do that through Amphora Nueva, but you might want to buy a little something from the local guy just to help support them. The shipping on olive oil tends to be pretty brutal, but the markup and taxes at the little shops is worse.

[sthira]

Can someone clear up for me if this bitterness is desirable, as far as freshness and polyphenol content is concerned?

As Niner said, the bitterness is a sign of basic goodness. Which oil did you buy? Did they you get their chemistry numbers? I've had great experiences buying in bulk from Amphora.

[tunt01]

what is the adjective they use to describe dark chocolate? what is the essence of hormesis?

is beneficial exercise easy or is it bitter and gritty? if a liquid had a positive, beneficial stress and was hormetic, would you expect it to taste like pancake syrup?

I'm on my 3rd order from Amphora. My second one had almost zero bitterness. I was really disappointed and thought they sent me a bunch of garbage (or I ordered wrong). Other two orders (including current) have been excellent.

Edited by prophets, 26 February 2013 - 03:36 AM.

[TheFountain]

To Niner and Sthira, the oils I got were the chilean barnea and the spanish Picual. They sent me a small sample bottle of their house blend as well.

Where do I get the chemistry numbers?

[niner]

Picuals are "robust", the olive oil term of art that I have a feeling equates to "bitter". I've had a pretty good picual and one that was not so hot. Both were bitter, but there are good bitters and bad bitters. I think the polyphenol level on both was pretty high. I'm not sure exactly where to find the numbers. I was involved in a couple group purchases, and someone else found the numbers. Somebody at Amphora would surely know, though I don't know exactly who to ask. They probably have a contact address- I'd try there.

[TheFountain]

Picuals are "robust", the olive oil term of art that I have a feeling equates to "bitter". I've had a pretty good picual and one that was not so hot. Both were bitter, but there are good bitters and bad bitters. I think the polyphenol level on both was pretty high. I'm not sure exactly where to find the numbers. I was involved in a couple group purchases, and someone else found the numbers. Somebody at Amphora would surely know, though I don't know exactly who to ask. They probably have a contact address- I'd try there.

I had two teaspoons on some eggs before my Judo class tonight. I felt energized enough to go several rounds in Rondori. I mean it's not just this stuff, but I believe the Barnea is suppose to have some of the highest polyphenol content of any of their varietals. I think from now on I am going to try sticking with these highest quality olive oils. I still want to try that "living olive oil" from sclafani too.

[nameless]

To Niner and Sthira, the oils I got were the chilean barnea and the spanish Picual. They sent me a small sample bottle of their house blend as well.

Where do I get the chemistry numbers?

You can email them for the numbers.

I have the numbers for these two (which I ordered several months ago):


Barnea Coratina (Uncle Tony)
Poly:495 FFA: .2 Poly: 562.5 Oleic 76.5
Oleic Acid: 80.4 Peroxide:6.1 Peroxide: 6.2 FFA .25

I'm not sure if they have any Coratina (Uncle Tony) still left, but that it what I primarily got. It's not bad tasting overall.

[TheFountain]

To Niner and Sthira, the oils I got were the chilean barnea and the spanish Picual. They sent me a small sample bottle of their house blend as well.

Where do I get the chemistry numbers?

You can email them for the numbers.

I have the numbers for these two (which I ordered several months ago):


Barnea Coratina (Uncle Tony)
Poly:495 FFA: .2 Poly: 562.5 Oleic 76.5
Oleic Acid: 80.4 Peroxide:6.1 Peroxide: 6.2 FFA .25

I'm not sure if they have any Coratina (Uncle Tony) still left, but that it what I primarily got. It's not bad tasting overall.

Thanks. They look close, the Barnea has it beat with Oleic acid though. I might stick to buying this stuff.