In case you were wondering, National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day is a thing. Joe and Son’s Olive Oils will join other EVOO purveyors in observing the holiday this weekend, offering customers of its South Tampa store a celebratory deal on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30.
Joe and Son’s patrons may purchase one premium extra-virgin olive oil or aged balsamic vinegar, then score a second at half price — no matter what time they stop in.
“From my ancestors’ farms in Italy to my great-grandfather’s South Tampa grocery store, my love of olive oils is rooted in family history,” said owner Andrea Messina Gebbia in a statement. “Olive oil imparts such great flavor to our family recipes, and it has so many health benefits. At the store, we have monthly cooking classes that really show how versatile olive oil can be.”
Gebbia and her staff continue to combat the common misconceptions about extra-virgin olive oil, which is seasonal and perishable (meaning “best buy” dates are your friend). A rule of thumb when scoping out bottles is to shop at retailers, like Joe and Son’s, with complimentary samples. EVOO should have a taste and smell reminiscent of fresh olives, as well as an element of bitterness and a pepperiness on the back of the throat.
Taking customer education and her expertise a step further, Gebbia is in the process of writing a cookbook that includes tips on how to use both olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The cookbook is expected to roll out in fall.
This article appears in Sep 27 – Oct 5, 2018.
