Food Gifts: Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegars and More!

With an increasing amount of food programmes now appearing on our
screens and with people's expectations of food increasing, food
related gifts are becoming more and more popular. Great gourmet gifts
can include olive oil, olives, balsamic vinegars and gourmet food
hampers. Such items are products which you are not necessary going to
find on the high street which makes the gift more unique to the
recipient.Olive OilsOlive oil has many benefits. Other than providing
a fabulous flavour in cooking (particularly pure extra virgin oil) it
has many health benefits, from preventing heart disease, cancer and
heart disease to providing beauty benefits for the hair and skin.There
are many varieties of olive trees and therefore the olives and oil
that are produced. From French, Greek, Spanish and Italian olive oil
they make the perfect gourmet gift for the ultimate foodie. The main
types of are:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Obtained from high quality
olives, this oil has a strong aroma of the fruit and has less than 1%
acidity
Virgin Olive Oil: It is made from olives that are slightly riper than
those used in the production of extra virgin olive oil
Refined Olive Oil: oil known as "refined olive oil" is made by
refining the virgin olive oil. The final product is basically a
tasteless olive oil.
Pure Olive Oil: Pure olive oil, usually called just olive oil, comes
either from the second cold pressing or the chemical extraction of the
olive mash left over after the first pressing. This grade is also
called commercial grade oil.Infused oils are also very popular and
offer an alternative to the usual types of olive oil. Try varieties
such as chilli and garlic, citrus, rosemary, Mediterranean and Spanish
thyme infused oils. Extra virgin oils have the most distinct flavour
and offer the better health benefits. Therefore, they are considered a
luxurious cooking product in any household.Why not combine an drizzler
with your chosen oil to create the perfect gift. Oil drizzlers come in
a range of styles and sizes.Balsamic VinegarsThere are three types of
balsamic vinegar: commercial grade balsamic vinegar, Condimento grade
products and authentic artisan balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is
perfect used in salad dressings, dips, marinades and to enhance the
flavour of steaks and even strawberries!There are a range of varieties
of balsamic vinegars including fruit vinegars and sherry vinegars
which are perfect for adding the 'wow' factor to a meal or as a
gourmet gift. Traditional balsamic vinegar such as red label balsamic
vinegar of Modena is slowly aged in oak casks and has a full mellow
flavour. Il Borgo del Balsamico's Modena Vinegar Yellow Label is
carefully aged with a classical, slightly pungent flavour, making it
ideal for salad dressing and a product designed for the family's
everyday use. So there are a number of types to choose from - if you
did need more information on the best type to go for make sure you
enquire before you buy as such specialist retailers are very
knowledgeable about their products and would assist in every
way.Special Foodie HampersFor the perfect Christmas gift or birthday
present why not create your very own individual foodie hamper, full
with gourmet goodies. You could fill with specialist balsamic vinegar,
extra virgin olive oil, dried herbs, a drizzler and even some
specialist pasta. What's more you could even customise your hamper in
terms of regions or countries add a couple of recipes or cook books
for that extra special touch.