The “plus” sign is for the other stuff they have there. More on that later.
Health Benefits of Liquid Gold
I don’t know about you, but when I first learned about The French Paradox, a term that describes the observation that French people, despite a diet that is high in saturated fats, have a lower incidence of heart disease compared to other Western populations , I threw away the rice cakes. I’ve learned that The French Paradox and The Mediterranean Diet, which is higher in plant-based dishes, are great for health. And both include Olive Oil. Let’s look at a few health-positive traits:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is composed of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that is known to reduce inflammation and may have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.
- It is loaded with antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- EVOO can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels while maintaining good HDL cholesterol levels. It also helps reduce blood pressure, improve blood vessel function, and prevent unwanted blood clotting. Studies suggest that EVOO can help reduce the risk of stroke due to its positive effects on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and arterial health.
- EVOO has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels, which helps in managing and possibly preventing type 2 diabetes.
- Some of the nutrients in EVOO can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, including Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that can cause ulcers and cancer.
- Its moisturizing and nourishing properties make EVOO beneficial for skin and hair health, providing hydration and protection against damage. Protections come from both internal consumption and external application.
Paso Robles – My Introduction to The Gold
While I’ve always enjoyed Olive Oil (like I’ve always enjoyed wine, more or less), it wasn’t until I visited Paso Robles and learned how to properly taste pure Olive Oil that I truly came to appreciate it. And yes, there’s a method to tasting, and it’s a bit different from tasting wine. There’s a lot more slurping involved.
My first visit was to Pasolivo, and after learning the basics, I immediately joined the club. Their oils were delicious, and there were no premium oils available here in Vegas at the time (NINETEEN years ago this year!). When Pasolivo switched from bottles to tiny tins, I canceled my membership, but by then, local EVOOs were available in wineries.
When I visit Paso now, I stop at We Olive and/or Oro de Olivo in Tin City, although there are about a dozen Olive Oil makers locally. Several wineries, such as Austin Hope, also sell Olive Oil, and the brands are generally from Paso Robles.
However, there’s been a Vegas change!
Arbosana
The premium Olive Oil store that quickly became a favorite was Big Horn. Located near Lake Mead and Rampart, it had genuine Extra Virgin Olive Oils, some of which had been infused with natural flavorings, such as garlic, basil, lavender, and butter. Yes, butter. And then COVID happened, and like many businesses, it was difficult to keep the doors open, closing in 2022. Fortunately, Big Horn still has its flagship store in Reno.
Arbosana (named after a Spanish olive) opened a couple of years ago. How I missed it till now, I couldn’t tell you.
The similarity between the store layout and offerings versus that of Big Horn is striking, but there are a few differences. Arbasano seems to have more infused vinegars, and the variety of Olive Oils is more extensive.
Arbosana’s tasting room is located in the Village Center at the NW corner of Sahara and Fort Apache. They focus on oils from single estates and single olive varieties, ensuring high quality and specific flavor profiles. Single-source production is key, as it preserves the character of each oil. Interestingly, they have a jug of Costco’s Kirkland EVOO in a “time out” box. While the Kirkland oil is Extra Virgin, it is sourced from several different countries, which may (or may not) affect its quality. In addition, although the “time out” bottle isn’t single source, they have several that are.
For what it’s worth, Arbosana prioritizes Olive Oils with high polyphenol content, which are believed to be rich in antioxidants.
Fun fact: Although Olive Oil is sometimes called “Liquid Gold,” there are also varieties that are significantly green, and are just as robust as the gold. Filtration also plays a part.
And now for the plus! In addition to their oils, Arbosana offers balsamic vinegars, both dark and white. They are available in a variety of flavors, including traditional aged balsamic, as well as creative infusions such as ginger honey (excellent on salad with the lemon-infused oil), peach, mango, espresso, and my new favorite, umeboshi plum. Each bottle is carefully crafted to strike a balance between sweetness and acidity, making the vinegars a perfect complement to salads, marinades, desserts, or seltzer drinks. The umeboshi plum in seltzer water is my “soda” because it’s so fruity!
Well, instead of the single bottle of butter-infused oil, I walked out with several bottles of oils and vinegars. My credit card is notably unhappy!
EVOO Links
All of the following have online ordering and shipping! This is a random list of Vegas, Paso, and online vendors. While I rarely purchase Olive Oils in a “regular” grocery store, I have no issues purchasing from any one of these sellers. All have good to excellent quality oils and come recommended. And their EVOOs are actually 100% Olive Oil, unlike some grocery brands, which may be suspect.
Spirts & Spice (in The Venetian)
Trader Joe’s (look for their seasonal offerings)
