These were intense days spent in those Olio Officina Food Festival. Days of knowledge,  di culture, of art, music, dances, meetings and… from the many smiles!

But I want to tell you better ...

With the inauguration of the festival last Thursday 24 January, as they say you are open dances. "Paese d'honor 2013″ l’India, both as a consumer of oil, both as a country farmer of olive groves for the production of oil. This attention to olive oil comes from the fact that India is the first country in the world to incidence of cardiovascular disease. Are well-known factors that influence in this sense these pathologies: arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoke, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. Two tablespoons of olive oil are an effective quality medical facility to counter these diseases.

This edition of Oil Workshop was devoted to women, looking at the female side of the oil. About intervened Rosalia Knights, Professor of Semiotics and Theory of sign language studies at the University of Messina, emphasizing how the biology attests to the greater olfactory sensitivity female. We must relearn to sniff. Our mind is now tainted by the images that we often incorrectly condition. Go over, sniffing and not judging only on the outer…

"Distracted by a mentality visual-acoustic, We have relegated the smell of the senses 'minor'. Rosalia Knights "

Many women oil, but not only that ... I had the pleasure of seeing the dear Laura Turri I met recently visiting his oil mill in Cavaion Veronese, Gabriella Stansfield President of Women Oil, Mary Adelaide of Bertacco 'The. Agr. Hills of Marostica, Dawn of Guarini Masseria Patches Galleys (BR), the lovely Paola Fioravanti President of 'Mediterranean Union Oil Tasters and Maria Elena President of Curtius'National Association of Cooks at home.

 A meeting in particular I was very excited ... A friend and a woman whom I respect for the depth of the thoughts, and I've had the honor of reading the intimacy of our private deeds. Lei è Alessandra Paolini's Agricultural Society Doria (CS), Woman oil.

I do not have a mill company ... I make enormous sacrifices to talk to my mill so follow my disciplinary, My times, le mie convinzioni… faccio chilometri nella campagna olearia e me ne vado a molire molto lontano dalla mia azienda con costi umani ed economici notevoli, in nome della qualità che io volevo… Io il mio mondo lo vorrei in una zolla…Alessandra Paolini

Reunite Jeanne Perego, the insalatologa for excellence, it was a real pleasure. I love salads, those rich, with many ingredients and seasonings, more than outline, real main dishes rich in vitamins! His new book tells well 365, a day throughout the year and for all tastes!

He had reached the turn of Antonella and Viviana Varese. Due sorelle, due chef, and two dear friends ...! The theme of their intervention was developed on the right choice of oil for cooking fish from the lake and sea. Two sisters restorative: “Antonella with his house in Manerba del Garda “Dahlias and Beans” gestito along with fellow chef and Fabio Mazzolini, and Viviana with her "Alice's Restaurant” a Milano”.

Finished the intervention of Antonella and Viviana, a feeling of stomach hole made us realize that it was time for lunch. Just enough time to call a taxi and we were in a sprint from "Alice" restaurant Viviana Varese. In the intimacy of a small room underground had lunch between confidence and smiles like a long time we could not do for the mutual commitments. Once finished, ready to return to the festival, Viviana stopped me and told me: "Look at 'back here!” Sono scoppiata a ridere quando ho letto alcune frasi umoristiche sul retro della porta della cucina. Un click e… via!

Speakers of the issue relating to the oil Guides, l 'oleologo Nicola Perrucci and Maestrod'olio Fausto Borella. Recentemente ho fatto a Fausto un’intervista con domande semplici per risposte semplici, I like it. We carry a:

• I quote a statement heard in your speech that I fully agree: "The farmer's oil supply chain cost him at least ten euro per liter. An olive oil that costs three euro is not an extra virgin olive oil, but only a lie to the consumer ". At this point I ask: But an oil with this cost as obtained?

Through sailing ship oil to the best Italian ports. Or through an uncontrolled oil is not certified South invading the Italian regions to the Alps.

The advice from the consumer Fausto redirected towards a conscious choice of an olive oil quality, is trying to choose one of the 44 Italian DOP which has a cost of about € 6-8 for 50 cl.

Another meeting was happy with the sympathetic Elia Fiorillo, President of Ceq, Consortium to guarantee the quality of extra virgin olive oil. Elijah explained to me that this non-profit organization, is open to all operators in the olive, producers, packers and distributors to promote and revive the chain Italian olive oil quality.

It was the time of the last goodbyes ... I had the pleasure to meet in person Maximum Occhinegro Marketing expert, with which a few days before floundering on the web and oil quality. I re-embraced Fausto Delegà, intervened on the sweet synergy between oils, have, api e ulivi. With Gianpiero Rorato, journalist and writer of Motta di Livenza (TV), I recalled my home country I carry in my heart. Last but not least, I said goodbye to my great friend Ancona Richard Pilesi, Marketing food & wine.

It was my turn ... It was up to me, and to Laura Pantaleo Lucchetti intervene. The theme: "The food will free your mind". Ready, via!

I remember that, when Louis a few months ago he asked me to intervene on olive oil seen by the consumer of the food web and the communication I said to myself: "Beautiful challenge!"Challenge that I took a lot of effort with reading texts, probing against people, and visiting OLEIFICIO ...

And 'well known how little there is in Italian culture in the world oil, rather, in the world oil, since we actually over 530 cultivate, but we still call the oil in the singular.  La gente conosce l’olio d’oliva, not according to the area of ​​origin and the cultivar, but according to the manufacturer's name. Why not put in plain sight some more information on the origin?!

The truth is that, Who can if the power of attorney by relatives or friends directly in the places of production, while for those who procures at large retailers the choice falls on or offered for olive oil for cooking, or the most well known brands for use in raw. Some make no mistake they told me that they buy the oil with the highest price. This will never be a conscious choice ... ?!

That said, I promised myself to take advantage of my speech to make very specific requests that help people towards a more informed choice of olive oil:

• For Communicators I ask more simplicity in the words. Often insist on this concept because the important thing is to do good culture of the earth with simple words, to reach people. People still call the olive oil quality, "The good oil". The term "extra virgin olive oil" now so used, to most people is still unknown (evo: andxtra inergine d’theiron).
  
• To Olivicoltori I ask you to organize more events degustativi to tell people their own oil. As said Veronelli: “The oil like wine. The olive tree as the vine."In addition to" Open Cellars "why do not you do ..." Oil Mills open ".
• At Wine ask you to create an angle for a “oleoteca” allowing the oil tasting.
• For Restaurateurs I ask you to tell the olive oils that are brought to the table just as you would for wine, just ask the manufacturers data sheets, or even better, train workers in boardroom with oil taster courses.
• But I ask something also consumers. To be more curious to try the oils, we have so many varieties. When in doubt, as I said to prefer Dop. But when you're on vacation take advantage to visit a farm that reality will make you much more aware about the product they consume.

Finally, I can not stress the importance of promotion of the territory and its products through the network. This, however, does not obviate the fact that the direct knowledge of the manufacturer and its products is irreplaceable tool… least, for them as I live ...

I met Laura through Turri Uploaded Louis. I rely on the advice of the people who always esteem in my path of knowledge. Paths that do not make me wrong road, which lead me to an awareness of the products, but especially to the understanding of people. You can not separate the things, one is connected to another ...

With Laura, kind and gentle woman, I spent an afternoon walking through the olive trees and the beautiful scenery of Lake Garda. Are you a manufacturer, a woman who told me the oil of the family passed down from his father and grandfather Mario Giancarlo. L 'Company Turri Cavaion Veronese is located in one of the first mills in Verona. Born in 1951, and the 80 is followed by Laura with his brothers Mario, Louise and John.

Before giving the floor to Laura, voglio fare un piccolo ripasso su come un’oliva si trasforma in quel liquido denso e profumato che ci fa chiudere gli occhi, and that brings us back to ancient flavors ...

 It all starts with the collection, possibly handmade, do not ruin it for the fruit the plant will… After this operation the olives a time controlled and washed the steps to begin their transformation.

• With 1 'stage of processing, la frangitura, with granite millstones or hammer crushers to turn the olives into a paste.

• With 2 'stage, kneading, the pulp oil is stirred for thirty minutes.

• Finally, with the 3 'phase, extraction, separates oil from water and solids (chance).

Finite these three operations we proceed with bottling.

Of course, things are much more elaborate as I have described, but I leave you curious to discover going to go directly to an oil mill.

• I have described in a simple steps that lead to the production of olive oil. Now, by manufacturer, I describe the distinguishing characteristics of the oil Gardesano?

L’Olio del Garda è prodotto prevalentemente con la cultivar Casaliva varietà autoctona del lago di Garda. Poi ci sono altre varietà storiche come il Leccino, il Frantoio, il Rossanel, la Raza, il Moraiolo, the Pendolino. It is known for its delicacy and for its light fruitiness with an aftertaste of almond that can be appreciated just a few months after production.

• Quali consigli ti senti di dare al consumatore per una prima valutazione dell’olio all’acquisto?

Il mio consiglio è di essere curiosi, di assaggiare, di confrontare e di imparare gli abbinamenti dell’olio con le diverse pietanze. E’ così che pian piano si scopre un mondo nuovo di sapori. Perché non dimentichiamo che l’olio è come il vino, va abbinato con il giusto piatto. Ad esempio per una pietanza delicata come il pesce opterei per un olio del Garda, mentre valorizzerei una pasta e fagioli con un buon olio Toscano… Per chi è insicuro nell’acquisto consiglio di affidarsi agli oli Dop, sono un buon punto di partenza per imparare a conoscere ed abbinare l’olio di qualità nei diversi profumi e sapori.

• Laura, fai parte delle Donne dell’Olio, che cosa si prefigge questa associazione?

Da poche settimane la nuova Presidente è Gabriella Stansfield, produttrice Toscana nonché assaggiatrice. Con la Vice Presidente Francesca Pingi, valorizzerà l’associazione guidandola nella promozione della cultura e della conoscenza dell’arte olivicola e olearia. Indirizzerà in particolare il proprio impegno verso il mondo femminile, coinvolgendo attraverso varie azioni il mondo della produzione, della distribuzione, della comunicazione e del consumo. La finalità senza fini di lucro, è la promozione di una corretta immagine dell’olio d’oliva di qualità.

• Donne o Olio. Quanto incide la presenza femminile in questo settore?

Sono sempre più numerose le donne che operano in tutte le fasi del processo produttivo in tutti i settori del comparto: donne che operano negli oliveti, in mills, nelle strutture di vendita, nei ristoranti, nelle mense, nelle pubbliche amministrazioni, e nelle associazioni. Sono ormai numerose le agronome, le ricercatrici, le studiose, le giornaliste e le assaggiatrici. But, above all, sono tante, tantissime, centinaia di migliaia le donne che comprano l’olio, assai più numerose degli uomini.

Sono in prevalenza le donne che “usano” l’olio, e che preparando i pasti, determinano le abitudini alimentari di tutta la famiglia. Si potrebbe quasi sostenere che, da questo punto di vista, le donne rappresentino l’elemento chiave nel mondo dell’olio. E’ “vitale” quindi per questo che operino nel modo migliore, approfondendo le loro conoscenze per diventare operatori “virtuosi” e consumatori consapevoli ed informati.

• Da vicepresidente del Consorzio dell’olio Garda Dop, hai visto nascere il progetto Oligar. Di cosa si tratta?

Come consorzio ci eravamo resi conto che per vendere l’olio del Garda in nuovi mercati – ma non solo in quelli – era necessario migliorare la conoscenza del prodotto. Il progetto mirava ad ottenere ulteriori informazioni sulla qualità misurando i quantitativi di pirofeofitine e alchilsteri. Lo scopo era verificare l’assenza di contaminanti “nuovi” quali gli ftalati,  per applicare agli oli del Garda il metodo degli isotopi stabili, in grado di identificare la provenienza territoriale di un alimento in maniera certa. I risultati ottenuti, per i primi due aspetti, sono stati tranquillizzanti. Per il terzo è stato addirittura possibile dimostrare che, applicando quel metodo, si può distinguere la provenienza di oli prodotti nelle sottozone del Garda.

• Olio extravergine d’oliva come alimento. Hai suggerimenti per l’uso?

Suggerisco di andare a visitare il sito del Consorzio Garda Dop. Qui si possono trovare interessanti e accattivanti ricette dove l’olio del Garda viene utilizzato per valorizzare piatti diversi.

• L’olio d’oliva è usato nella cosmesi fin dall’antichità. Hai qualche consiglio?

Siamo in inverno e i nostri capelli a volte sono spenti e opachi. Suggerisco di provare un trattamento completo all’olio di oliva: “Amalgamare bene sette cucchiai d’olio extra vergine d’oliva con il succo di un limone. Con il composto così ottenuto massaggiare sia il cuoio capelluto che i capelli, leaving it on for about half an hour. Finally, finish the treatment with a mild shampoo. Seeing is believing!