The product range has been expanded to include exotic blends, more gourmet foods, and beauty and health products fortified with olive oil. But each new outpost retains the rustic charm and friendly atmosphere of the flagship store. Thom is a member of the California Olive Oil Council Taste Panel, a certified group that rigorously tests every oil produced in the state. Ninety-five percent of olive oils sold in the United States are imported, and there are no regulations for foreign products. Here, however, the rules are strict. The oils are tested for fustica (olives that have been sitting and fermented for too long) and rancidity (oxidation). Secondly, frying in olive oil is not only possible, but actually healthy. “The trick is to get it right,” says Thom. Most people make the mistake of making the oil hot and then throwing away a large amount of food, lowering the temperature, and having the food absorb the oil instead of burning the outside.

“If you add a small amount of food to the hot oil — say, thin slices of potatoes to make potato chips — cook in small amounts and keep the temperature high,” says Thom, “the outside of the food is fried while the inside is steaming. This is a rather healthy option. Who knew? “Delicious spreads, wonderful olive oils and vinegars. One of my favorite places in the old town. Before I spent time with Thom, I thought I knew my virgins from my extra virgins, my virgins cold-pressed from my stone. It turned out that I had just started. I learned that olive trees (of which there are countless varieties) require practically no care. When Thom and Nancy stumbled upon this abandoned grove, the trees hadn`t been touched in about 100 years.

No targeted watering, no pruning, and they still produced amazing olives. A tree takes about three years to get a first harvest, five years before it is ready for production. Then, says Thom, trees can produce for 1,000 or 2,000 years (a quick Google search revealed that there are trees in Greece that would be 3,000 years old). “It`s a very cute store. Not only do they do free olive oil and vinegar tastings, but they also teach you how to make two together. They bake bread in the store and also sell olive oil body products. The best part was that they have baskets ready to take home if you need to stop, pick up a gift for any occasion. I joined the Olive Oil and Vinegar Club today. I`ve been told they ship quarterly for that particular level of a club. I am very curious to see what is included in my show.

You can pick up your orders at the store if you`re local, but if it`s not like me, three are $12.50 shipping. Unless you order products worth $100. Then the delivery is free. The customer service was impeccable and everyone I met was not only pleasant, but also knowledgeable about all the products in the store. If I am back in Temecula, I will definitely go back to this store. – Angela Temecula The olive oil company`s official website is www.temeculaoliveoil.com “Not just olive oil to eat, but a wide range of body soaps and creams. Very unique and of course excellent service. “The business is growing so much that we find that we need more and more olives to make our oil,” Curry said. The small shop, which began in downtown Temecula with an emphasis on “pure California extra virgin olive oil,” has since added tasting rooms in Old Town San Diego, Solana Beach, Seal Beach and Laguna Beach. “Great experience! Pam and all the staff were very knowledgeable about the business, the process, the blending, the combination of oils and vinegars, the farm and the history of this family business as a whole. My daughters and I learned a lot during our visit and found that they had more than just food.

I highly recommend going here and visiting the olive farm! Cho Temecula olive oil cultivates more than 120 acres and produces 10,000 gallons of high-quality olive oil per year. The product is shipped worldwide, along with the company`s bath and body products, sea salts, peppercorns, balsamic vinegars, olives, mustard, spreads, herbs, spices and other artisanal foods. About 90% of its business is retail, much of it being sold online through its website. “A fun place to visit and taste a variety of olive oils and vinegars..