Luanne Savino O’Loughlin of Olio2go Returns to NOVA

Luanne Savino O’Loughlin (right), manager of Olio2go, with assistant Stefano Middei, educates the students with the particulars of extra virgin Italian olive oils

Following her enjoyable and informative March 2012 presentation and tasting of imported Italian extra virgin olive oils, Luanne Savino O’Loughlin, manager of Olio2go, returned to the Annandale Campus on September 5 to share her knowledge and experience. O’Loughlin, accompanied by native Italian Stefano Middei, showed the Culinary I students how to taste the oils, the difference between filtered and unfiltered olive oils, organic and non-organic olive oils, and characteristics of good and bad olive oils. O’Loughlin shared some of the details of growing, harvesting, producing, importing, purchasing and selling this vital ingredient in any kitchen.

O’Loughlin presented Castello Del Trebbio from Tuscany, Gourmet Sardinia Organic from Sardina, Il Conte from Puglia, Principe di Mascio from Umbria, and Azienda Agricola San Damiano from Liguria.  She explained how each region uses which olives and in what proportions, how each region has its own growing, harvesting, and production methods, and how the olives freshness impacts the quality and flavor.  Everyone enjoyed the tasting of the oils as they are, and then tried them paired with an assortment of foods.