[Kay Effzee]

Okay, please forgive my ignorance, why is fake olive oil made and what is the difference between fake and real?

[ScoopLV]

Why is fake olive oil made? $$$$$ It's a billion-dollar business, run by the mafia.

The difference is taste. "Non sa di niente," say the Italians. "Nothing -- that's how it tastes." If you're asking these questions, it is likely that you have never had real olive oil in your life. The taste difference between real and fake is exactly like the difference between real maple syrup and "table syrup." Table syrup doesn't taste like anything. It just tastes "sweet." (Because it's mostly corn syrup and colorant.)

I linked an article in an earlier thread. Here it is again.

Andrea Vogt » Slimy Business: Counterfeit Olive Oil Ring Busted in Central Italy

[bayview6]

Originally Posted by Coco6163

I have only taken a few steps into Cucina Olive Oil at Tivoli Village a couple of times. It is a store devoted to olive oil. As I recall, sample tasting is routinely available there.

Coco, thanks for that lead. A photo in their website looks like they have a tasting table in their store. I've never been to Tivoli Village but am definitely going to visit it before too long.

[AA702]

"fake" anything is big money biz these days and is run by organized crime. Fake goods of all sorts are bigger money makers and if caught, the crimes are less punished than running drugs.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by bayview6

Coco, thanks for that lead. A photo in their website looks like they have a tasting table in their store. I've never been to Tivoli Village but am definitely going to visit it before too long.

I agree. Thanks Coco. This one sounds yummy. Arbequina Olive Oil | Cucina Olive Oil

[NLVgal]

Whoever repped me with the comment "have you ever had the real stuff?" forgot to add their name so I could respond.

Yes, I have. I'm a big fan of Mediterranean food, and that means olive oil and lots of it.

My favorites are fruity and buttery with a slight peppery finish. If you want a bit more pepper, you fresh crack it into the olive oil before dipping the bread.I dislike the bitter ones.

There are some very good olive oils coming out of small California farms these days. You can get them at farmer's markets and such.

Olive oil (the real stuff) tastes like olive oil. It has a richness and a depth of flavor that the fakes don't have. The fakes taste like canola (bland) , sometimes with some bitterness thrown in. Some of them even have a slight chemical aftertaste.

If you are getting a fake, you are also not getting the health benefits associated with olive oil. Aside from the boutique / family farm olive oils, the only decent one I've tried was Columela.

http://www.amazon.com/Columela-Extra...mela+olive+oil

[Kay Effzee]

Okay thanks.

[vtvette]

Fake Olive Oil is big business. I never knew there were EVOO tasting events but it doesn't surprise me at all.

I am familiar with Salad Oil's/Olive Oil's through the study of Finance. One of the major frauds of the 20th Century revolved around Salad oil: Salad Oil Scandal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cost American Express over 50% of it's share value.

Given the number of top flight Restaurants and Resorts in Las Vegas I bet one could be arranged through expressing interest with the governing body without too much trouble.