What is everyone’s favorite Olive? It’s not an easy question to answer since we are using the word “everyone”. Considering that factor…here is the answer that popped up first on my computer off of www.quora.com
“Kalamata olives because of their distinctive flavor”. This is just one response among many…however the health benefits of the nutrient rich kalamata olive is, in my opinion, another very good reason as to why Iliada is my favorite beyond taste. They contain a wide range of antioxidants, which are molecules that fight free radicals in your body and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke and arthritis.. Among them, a group of plant compounds called polyphenols stands out.
*POLYPHENOLS: A Class of compounds found in plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
OK…Now…A little story that introduced me to Iliada’s products and that can also been seen here:
It goes like this…”My friend Eva Rajwans owns a clothing company by the name of DIGS in NYC.”…
Continuing on…
Over many years and primarily starting in 2013 with my first Fancy Food Show, I’ve tasted quite a few olive oils. My perception was that the best was in Italy and the bottle needed to say “Product of Italy” in order for it to be worthy. Even the olive oils from Provence, France impressed me while touring France for the first time back in 1993. So many small producers of EVOO on the left and right side of the road had my head and taste buds spinning. For a long time I’d try to secure those Provence olive oils in the USA, but they were simply unavailable outside of France. If I did find one of these oils. the prices were prohibitive…thus I wound up enjoying the oils from Italy until 2017 and my introduction to Greek Gold in Iliada!
OK…So getting back to this year’s Fancy Food Show at the Jacob Javits Center…
Each time I have gone in the past going back to 2013, I write about many of what I feel are my best food finds, Since, however, I had only one day for the show this year, I chose to put a focus on some of my new food finds and my favorite olive oil…ie…Iliada and balsamic vinegar…ie…Massimo Bottura’s Villa Manodori.
First, let me introduce you to Kostas…proud proprietor of Iliada. I truly look forward seeing Kostas every time I get to the Fancy Food Show. As well, his cast and crew add another dimension to each visit.
