Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Iliada) 1L

I was talking with a Foodie at Central Market about olive oil. She told me not to use EVO with heat. It has a low smoke point so is not good for searing. Its flavor breaks down with high heat as well. Regular olive oil has a high smoke point and is perfect for sautéing or searing. It’s also less expensive. So you should have two bottles. One regular for heat and a good EVO for flavor. She pointed out the Iliada Kalamata Greek as a flavorful EVO that was affordable. I got a bottle and we really liked it. It cost a little more than I wanted to spend, so I was pretty happy to see it on Amazon for less. They even have a large tin for refilling. I’m not an expert, but this was recommended by an expert an I like its light fresh flavor. Very good on salads or bread dipping.

I first purchased this product to replenish my "Kalamata Gold" Greek olive oil supply, which suddenly became unavailable. I use this particular olive oil exclusively for stove-top cooking. I haven't used it in salad dressings, or any other cold dishes; though it is probably an excellent choice for salad dressing.I have at least four different kinds of olive oil in my pantry at any given time. Some are floral, some are fruity, some (now discarded) are overpoweringly oily. Iliada Kalamata Greek EVOO is neither floral nor fruity and certainly not oily on the palette, so it is an excellent choice when one doesn't want the oil to impart much flavor of its own. Again, I use this oil for cooking, but it is likely an excellent choice for dressings.

Essence of pepper with a strong olive taste is my best description of this oil. I put it on pasta with some fresh basil and grated romano for a light pasta side. I do not like the heavy creamy pasta sauces so this oil works out just fine for me. If you like your olive oil straight from the bottle - you will like this oil. I have also used it in several marinades and it works well in most recipes. I find many of the olive oils to be fairly bland but this one gives you a kick. It does really well in a home made pizza crust adding just the right flavor. I think the Kalamata or Arbequino olives make the best raw oil for eating straight from the bottle.

This is a wonderfully rich olive oil without being overly "heavy". Like another reviewer, I too used to buy it locally but then it became unavailable. When I saw it on Amazon...AND at a lower price than what I was paying...I ordered it with a happy "one-click". It's distinct bright flavor is a wonderful partner to any salad, either on its own or as a base to your salad dressing. I think it's too precious to use in everyday sautéing, but I have drizzled it on medium rare steaks right at the end of cooking for an injection of its rich flavor...and I think it would be perfect for preparing veal piccata or to baste a beautiful roasted chicken. I doubt anyone would be disappointed with this oil.

When I received the olive oil the ends of the package were torn open on both sides. However the box was sealed on top. The cap and bottle of the olive oil seemed to have oil on it. The flavor of the olive oil was still great.

The olive oil is 'kalamata' superior, but the bottle is badly made.Shipping provided good packaging, but the bottle probably just can't stand the jostling during the journey.The leak just gets the topmost part of the bottle wet from the leaked oil.Just something have to live with, since Amazon not allowing returns on this item.

Tastes good, a little peppery. You don't need to add as much (or any) pepper to your food. I still prefer the California brand olive oil for everyday use. But this is high-quality and good with things like eggs & chicken where you're going to season it anyway. My wife likes cooking with it. I bought it because I saw it was among the best-rated olive oils in "The Week" magazine.

With all of the recent press about "fake" extra virgin olive oil (usually available in the grocery store and usually from Italy), we decided to go back to the real thing. This is the brand that was recommended when we visited Greece and it is a truly flavorful and rich olive oil. And, while not as cheap as those in the grocery story, it certainly is reasonable enough to use everyday. We used to use it only for "special" meals, but now we use it as our regular olive oil. If you're looking for a great, real (at least I believe it is) extra virgin olive oil, you should give this a whirl.