Disclaimer: This post is part of a larger paid sponsorship with Crate and Barrel. Opinions and creative direction are my own.
Let me tell you something about this whole “tasting” thing: It’s a slippery, slippery slope. A few weeks ago, I offered you the idea of a honey tasting; now, I’m here to talk about olive oil tastings. I’m sorry. I can’t STOP. There’s just something so fun about putting things into tiny vessels and arranging them neatly on a plate. (Or maybe I don’t get out enough.) (Or maybe it’s all of the above.)
If you found your way here from this accompanying tablescape post, you know that Crate and Barrel enlisted me to help share a few Hanukkah ideas this year…and as I was dreaming up options, I really couldn’t stop coming back to this lovely faux olive tree branch. I decided to base my whole table off of it, and the rest is olive oil tasting history! (I also actually attended one of these beautiful experiences in Italy a few years ago, and it was so special—one of my older brothers got married in Puglia, which is responsible for ~40% of all of the olive oil production in Italy. Suffice it to say the olive oil there was very good.)
It all felt super relevant to Hanukkah: The holiday centers on a miracle made possible by oil, which is also why we eat so many fried foods (latkes, sufganiyot, etc.).
But what is an olive oil tasting, you ask? Well, similar to the whole honey tasting concept, and also similar to a wine tasting, an olive oil tasting is a sensory experience designed to educate participants and help them appreciate all of the different types of olive oil out there. Because just like wine and honey, olive oil, too, has a diverse enough flavor profile to qualify as a great subject for a tasting.
After a little research and reminiscing on my previous olive oil tasting adventures, I whipped up this printable worksheet for all of you—it’s available below; flip to the last page for printing directions. You’ll notice that I’ve included pre-made sheets with options for including 3, 4, or 5 different oils, so if you’re not into the idea of investing in a ton of oil—or if you’re just working with tiny plates, as I was!—you can still make this happen with a few less varieties.
If you’re looking for any other supplies I used, such as the plates, silverware, glass bowls, napkins, and other items in these photographs, you can find the full tablescape and all shopping links over here.
P.S. There’s lots of other Hanukkah inspiration waiting for ya on the blog right now! I’ve got Hanukkah quotes, Hanukkah poems, dessert ideas, cocktails, and tons of other Hanukkah ideas.
