| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| judith |
Cheap source of olive oilDoes anyone know of a good, cheap source of olive oil? I wouldn't mind buying in reasonable bulk (I'm talking a few litres, not 10 gallon drums) and I'm looking for a decent cold-pressed, but not necessarily top flight oil - anything as long as it hasn't been near any solvents. |
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| tahir |
Does it have to be olive? Suma do cold pressed sunflower, and the word is that more than one company has started producing cold pressed UK rapeseed | ||||||
| jema |
I'd like to know more about Olive oil, personally I have tested awful cheap olive oil, but I have never tasted Olive oil that struck me as much better than a typical supermarket oil.
Are the really expensive ones really much nicer? |
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| judith |
It does really - I don't mind blending half and half, but I'm not keen on all sunflower / rapeseed. | ||||||
| tahir |
Looks like 18.00 is about the cheapest 5l one listed by Suma | ||||||
| judith |
The solvent-extracted stuff is pretty nasty IMO, but yes there are differences in the various oils. My OH who, it must be said, can get a little obsessive about these things  , tastes oils much like you would wine. There are lots of different notes - peppery, grassy, etc. It takes a while to get used to them, but there are big differences.
Anyway, I'm not really looking for posh estate-bottled, single variety oils - more your bog-standard good for mayo and sun-dried toms types. |
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| judith |
That sounds a bit pricey - presumably its an organic one. |
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| Bugs |
Judith, you can email Suma and ask them for their e-catalogue (sales at suma dot coop) to have a look for yourself and they are helpful if you want more details on an individual product. | ||||||
| judith |
Thanks Bugs, I'll do that. | ||||||
| sean |
I usually buy a Greek one called Hellenic which is unrefined EV.
The UK agent is: George Skoulikas Ltd., 998 North Circular Road, London NW2 7JR. It's generally reasonably priced, depending on the stockist. |
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| judith |
Thanks Sean, I'll follow it up. | ||||||
| Behemoth |
We get that one (from Crete?) my local Asian supermarket sells it for £15/5L. It's a good alrounder (though I'm no expert) and keeps me happy.
The olive stall at the farmers market  sells it for £21 
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| cab |
Lidl (or is it Aldi?) do a passably good extra virgin olive oil very cheaply. | ||||||
| judith |
Yeah, I've had that before - it was fine. Anyone know what it costs? If it is less than £3 per litre, then I might as well just carry on buying it by the bottle. | ||||||
| bagpuss |
If I recall it wasn't more than £3 a bottle but I am not sure if the bottle were 500mls, 750mls or 1ltr but certainly it works out as no more expensive than normal supermarket olive oil | ||||||
| ButteryHOLsomeness |
the stuff from lidl comes in a 500ml bottle (just checked the lot we have) and if i remember right its around £2 per bottle but it's not cold pressed
i used to get olive oil from a mediterranean shop for between £10-13 per 5 litre this was cold pressed and very nice indeed certainly it's worth having a look at any asian or mediterranean grocers... |
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| judith |
That's more like the sort of price I was hoping for. Unfortunately asian / mediterranean shops are in rather short supply around here ! It looks like I might have to venture into civilisation some time soon  .
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| nora |
I get" il Freantio della pieve" extra virgin olive oil from Asda. Its £1.97. Doesnt say cold pressed but on the back of the bottle says its obtained directly from olives and soley by mechanical means(not sure what that means but it tastes ok.) Thats for 750ml. | ||||||
| judith |
That means cold-pressed. Definitely the best price yet! Hmm. Where's the nearest Asda? Don't think we have one in Powys! |
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| nora |
I was hoping it did mean cold pressed, glad to hear it does.
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| Nick |
I pick up cold pressed, extra virgin stuff very cheaply whenever I'm in France. It costs peanuts over there. Is it worth me bringing a boot load back for people next time? | ||||||
| tahir |
Good point Nick, it's dirt cheap in Spain and Portugal too. | ||||||
| judith |
I would certainly be interested if the logistics worked. | ||||||
| Nick |
I'll let you know next time I
1)go to France with the car 2)don't fill the car with Wife Beater. |
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| footprints |
Re: Cheap source of olive oil
Comes in 3ltr cans Cold pressed Greek oil (extra virgin) Personal review: I don't like olives, but this oil has a beautiful flavour. The website is: www.Elanthy.com I think the oil is postage free (nothings free) Buy 3 get the 4th for nowt?? Please dont quote me on this. I love the oil. I was just going to say it is the only oil we use but we use tesco's oilive oil in the deep fryer for chips.. Great on your food,great on your skin. ( no I'm not a relative!) Find a better oil and a better deal, please share the details. Yours the oily one 
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| ButteryHOLsomeness |
wow, i didn't know you could use olive oil in a deep fryer... i was always told the smoke point was too low for that... don't have one anymore though but if it doesn't smoke then perhaps i'll pan fry some handmade chips in olive oil, they must be gorgeous that way!
i'll open all the windows just in case though, the university has set all the smoke detectors to very sensitive in these flats and whenever one goes off everyone in that close has to go stand outside until the fire brigade shows up and gives the all clear...we've done it twice now and i'm a little to embarrassed to have it happen again!  
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| judith |
You are selling it very well Footprints! But it still works out at £4.50 per litre which is more than I want to pay for what I will be using it for. It does sound like a good one for salads and dipping, though. | ||||||
| dougal |
Actually Lidl's offer two different Extra Virgin Olive Oils, confusingly both labelled "Luccese"... and both under £2 a bottle IIRC. The 500ml bottle is Italian. I buy the 750ml bottle of spanish. Its pretty good. The multilingual small print on the back says it is made by "mechanical means" - which I take to mean pressing. I think its at least as good as the equivalents at a similar price from Auchan, Atak and Carrefour in Calais. But I haven't gone shopping for big tins over there... |
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| footprints |
olive oil source
I would be interested to hear from anyone that can tell me for sure wether or not olive oil can be used in a deep fat fryer (this is the second. Threw the first one away) We don't use the fryer often. And I totally agree about pan fried olive oil chips. Love them! |
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| footprints |
olive oil
Another point to bare in mind is, my wife chose it. Just out of interest. I have mailed the supplier to see if a better deal could be had for a group such as Downsizer. Don't expect a reply, but dont ask, dont get
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| sean |
These are some smoke points of oils, unfortunately they're in Fahrenheit, because the book in which I found them is American.
Butter (unclarified) 250-300 Butter (clarified) 350-375 Lard 360-400 Corn 400-415 Peanut 420-430 Sunflower 440-450 Olive oils vary from 410 to 460 according to type. The more processed typess having a higher smoke point. |
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| footprints |
Thank you. Will do the conversion now, and wonder how much good oil I murdered
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| sean |
My pleasure, there were even more in the list, but I could feel myself losing the will to live.... | ||||||
| dougal |
Interpreting Sean's numbers, Olive is OK to at least the same temperature as Corn oil...
And "processed" Olive oil, (ie the cheapest, most heavily extracted) should be good to a higher temperature than any of the common oils... BUT, I'm not sure "smoke point" is the only sensible criterion. I think you spoil the taste of Olive at a rather lower temperature. I admit to using Lidl Extra Virgin for almost everything - but I don't do deep frying... (for now). |
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| footprints |
olive oil deal?I got a reply from Elanthy olive oil this morning regarding discounts on the oil prices.I asked for a"deal" price on oil for a group such as downsizer with a large membership. They told me tey are always willing to deal, and to phone for a chat about it. I couldn't acess the downsizer server earlier on today so I haven't spoken to anybody. The other important point is, is there enough interest? |
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| judith |
Re: olive oil deal?
Well I would certainly be interested, but I suppose the problem would be logistics - to get the discount we would probably have to have it delivered to a central point and then collect from there. But definitely worth asking the question, thanks. Is this of interest to anyone else? |
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| jema |
Re: olive oil deal?
I'm interested. |
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| footprints |
Re: olive oil deal?s
(re: distibution. All sales include postage. They say postage free) Talking to the owner, he tells me that it is cheaper than tesco's finest. This I wasn't impressed with. (Some of tesco's finest is crap, their buying panel need new taste buds.) He did say however that the taste was far superior. I was just about to go Ummm!, then I realised I haven't tasted tesco's finest. Without having a stab a Tesco's, I have tasted loads of thing from that range and have found nothing, that I wanted to taste again. Based on my earlier findings, rightly or wrongly, I'm not paying the six quid to do the taste test. My sister got me hooked on this oil. Apparently it is a healthy fat, and fattening though it is, it is a good fat. I decided to up my intake of good fats with an oilive oil fried bread.Not a lover of olives, I thought I would need to hold my nose to drink a dose of the oil. I opted for the fried bread, and the pan fried chips. I have found that heavily soaked crusty bread does a treat in the toaster. Sure that it's a fire risk, not had a fire yet
Pretty certain that there must be somebody out there that loves the olive, and has bought oils solely for their flavours? I would be interested to hear about things i'm missing
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| sally_in_wales |
I buy 5litre tins in the Asian wholesalers for about £6.50, I use it for cooking and soaping. | ||||||
| jema |
Just read this properly. I always thought peanut had a higher smoke point than sunflower! so live and learn
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| Ruby |
I have just spotted this and could I add my name as I would be interested if you can get a discount for bulk buy - I only buy olive oil (and would love to afford the really good stuff cos unlike wine which I just glug and fall asleep I really taste the difference in olive oil) I live in Ceredigion
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| franco |
Olive oilFor anyone interested I am launching an online deli at the end of the summer, mainly I will be selling high end Italian charcuterie, olives, vinegar, cheese and good olive oil.I have done a deal with an olive grower in Italy and have agreed to buy all his oil each year (approx 700 litres) this will be single estate oil of the highest quality, oil like this retails for the equivalent of £40 per litre!! I am hoping to sell this in small quantities but would be willing to sell to forum members at greatly reduced rates this first year to help me cover my setting up costs I will be able to deliver to say 4 major cities and you could possibly meet me. Whilst this oil will probably be too good for every day cooking I will also sell good quality extra virgin olive oil in bulk. If you are interested either PM me or nearer the time I will post again. Regards Franco www.sausagemaking.org |
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| Guest |
Oh dear can't think of a minor city within two hours of me! I will keep a look out in case it is one I happen to be passing through one day. | ||||||
| footprints |
Cheap source of good olive oilSorry for the delay.This is the the reply from Elanthy olive oil re price for downsizers. Free delivery next day on all orders. 1x3 ltr cans £18.95 2x3ltr cans £15.75 4x3ltr cans £13.50 There is an extra 10% off for downsizers Keeps 2 years. free funnels provided. The 4 cans deal is the one we go for obviousely this costs £54. I think that we buy one order a year. Its a shame you cannot get sampler bottles (??) but for those that can share an order I would give it a try. Favourite indulgence is olive oil toast. I soak white crusty bread in the oil, then pop it in the toaster. This is much better than the fried bread in a pan, as it doesn't spoil the taste of the oil.. (not had a toaster fire yet, fingers crossed.) This is the freephone number 0800 169 6252 They have a website, but by their own admission is a little creaky. (sales opportunity for someone here I'm sure
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| tahir |
Ta footprints, hope some people here find that useful. | ||||||
| jema |
No one in the office there at the moment..... but I am certainly going for this. | ||||||
| judith |
Thanks for that, Footprints, I think they may have another sale! | ||||||
| twoscoops |
Re: Olive oil
How do you go about doing this, Franco? I have thought about doing something similar but have been a bit concerned over the costs of shipping the lot already bottled Vs the practicalities of importing in bulk and then bottling here. |
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
There is a company called Oil and Vinegar that have franchised stores about - I know of one in Cheltenham for example and I think there is one in Bluewater shopping mall. I can only find their franchise details on Google http://www.franchise4all.com/franchise4all/IV_oilvinegar.htm
There you can taste oils ( and other things like sauces and balsamic vinegars) and then fill up bottles from large on site containers. Can't remember the prices though. |
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| twoscoops |
That is a good idea, if it offers value for money. I seem to remember a discussion about Vom Fass, who have a few stores including Stratford-Upon-Avon and Selfrdges. A nice concept but really expensive. | ||||||
| bagpuss |
There are both von fass and oli and vinegar in the bluewater shopping centre.
They aren't cheap but nor are they excessively expensive. Vom Fass at least kind of work in a downsizery manner in that first time you buy a bottle and your oil or vinegar and the you can take them back to be refilled |
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| jema |
Well my oil is on order and i have tried to encourage them to stick an advert up on downsizer.
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| franco |
Twoscoops,
I am importing the oil in 25 litre drums then having it bottled in fancy bottles over here, to source the oil I visited a few small producers and struck lucky with one of them! Franco |
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| mr olive oil |
re olive oilhii have just joined ds and have read some of your articles although they are a little old if any of you are still interested in good single estate cold pressed extra virgin olive oil you would be welcome to sample my own produce, all you need do is visit my shop in clerkenwell london i would certainly consider a decent discount to ds members you can visit my website if you wish to read my articles re my olive oil and olives from Cyprus or Turkey regards mem |
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| jema |
I'd jump at a 2.5 litre jerry can. but if you don't mind a constructive comment p&p cannot be seen anywhere
With a DS discount I can see a lot of orders! |
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| mr olive oil |
Re p and p olive oilsorry about that, dhl home 48 hours will deliver to the uk a 3kg parcel for £10 this would include packaging, in fact they charge the same price for a parcel weighing 6kgmy price for 2.5 liters of my extra virgin is normally £20 , i can offer downsizer members a special price of £16 plus £10 p&p or for £20 plus p&p i would send you a 2.5 liter container of my oil plus 500gms of my dry cured black olives or for the same price i would send you 2.5 liters of my oil plus 250 gms of my dry cured black olives plus a 300gm bottle of pommegranate mollasses you are welcome to visit my website www.planetmem.com for any further information you may require regards mem |
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| Jango |
I buy my bulk olive oil from Mother's Garden in Spain, they deliver to your door via, a network of hubs or groups of friends. Its not cheap cheap but its the best quality extra virgin olive oil and you can get it in 5 litre containers.
www.mothersgarden.org |
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| Duckhead |
I hate conflict but I would say mine is way better than that Spanish rubbish
Fancy a taste off 
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| mr olive oil |
good olive oilhii have been away for a few months working on my farm in Turkey what a pleasant suprise to come back and get a write up in the guardian last thursday, titled the test 3 of the best olive oils the oil i produce on my farm in Turkey labelled chateau carman after my farm came first, here is the link if any one is interested http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/02/best-olive-oils#history-link-box the observer last year described us as the best place in the world to buy your olive oil from there is no secret to producing good olive oil, we pick our olives when they are green turning purple, we take them to the press within 24 hours and we ask the owners of the press to clean there equipment if the last person was pressing manky olives, we also supply them with a box of freshly picked citrus fruits to wipe there equipment down with prior to pressing our olives we wait sometimes for hours until our olives are pressed and then we take our produce away in new plastic jerry cans we store these tightly sealed in the cool dark basement area of my farm house until my driver arrives in february march, and transports them to me in the uk where i personally bottle in this manner i can honestly tell my customers that my oil has not been blended or tampered with and that it is pure unfiltered although in the months from pressing to arrival in the uk the sediment does naturally settle if any one is interested in my products you can visit my online shop at www.mroliveoil.com, i will only sell you what i am prepared to have on my table you can also book a stay on my farm where you will be able to see at first hand what goes into looking after the various trees etc i look forward to hearing from you regards mem |
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| lassemista |
Did anyone take up the Elanthy offer? If so what did you think?
I have just looked at their website and they are still going - don't know if the 10% will still apply tho'. Seems quite a reasonable price if it's good. Andrea. |
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| jema |
It was good, certainly better than some olive oils I have tried.
You'd need someone with a decent palette to really comment though. |
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| lassemista |
Was it you that sorted out their website?
A |
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| jema |
Not me. |