EVOO: A MATTER OF POLYPHENOLS NOT OF POINTS OF VIEW A great ingredient is one that is subtle yet adds a unique flavor and profile to the dish. Oil is a versatile ingredient that can be used both hot and cold, with unique nutritional and flavor properties. But what exactly is oil, and where does it come from? It all comes down to the polyphenols.
Oil is a fundamental and sometimes controversial ingredient in cooking, but it plays a crucial role in determining the dominant element in any dish. Despite its importance, it is often overlooked or misunderstood. However, in the kitchen, we all have an equal appreciation for its value and the important role it plays in pairing and selecting other ingredients. Olive oil is a versatile and essential ingredient in cooking. It can enhance the flavor and character of any cuisine with just a few drops. Whether it's used at the beginning or end of a dish, a good oil can make or break the final result. It can either exalt and define a dish or lead to a disastrous outcome. Just like a glass of wine, the right olive oil can elevate a meal to a masterpiece. On the other hand, a poor choice of oil can result in a culinary catastrophe. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right oil for the dish and use it wisely. The oil can definitely save some dishes at the very last minute, as much as it enhances their color, aroma, and otherwise imperceptible notes, thanks to its allies and trustworthy polyphenols, the very ones that, in the face of improper use, These are the same ones that, if used incorrectly, can make or break a dish, whether it is a well-made but opaque crudo or pasta e fagioli, a well-made but fruitlessly sour meat stew, a lukewarm boiled potato accompanied by a sweet salt. What would it be without the right oil? I hope that this brief and heartfelt content of mine helps convey how necessary it is to know how to choose according to one's preferences. And to understand how the natural characteristics of the oil to obtain maximum results and endless applications and subtractions of ingredients unnecessary and badly dosed and sometimes quite boring, because, let’s be clear once, and for all, oil is not a matter of points of view, but rather of polyphenols! And why is this so?
38
GLOBAL RETAIL BRANDS / OCTOBER 2023
