1What you need (and what you don't)
You need: - A small glass (preferably dark blue or opaque — so you can't see the color) - Your body heat (we warm the glass with our hands) - Still water at room temperature - Neutral crackers or unsalted white bread - Curiosity
You do NOT need: - Professional equipment - Sommelier training - Technical jargon
2The 5-minute procedure
Minute 1 — Prepare
Pour about 10ml of olive oil into the small glass. Cover it with one hand. Warm it with both hands, gently swirling the glass, for 60 seconds. Heat brings the oil temperature towards 28°C — the optimal temperature for releasing volatile aromatic compounds.
Minute 2 — Sniff
Remove your palm quickly and bring the glass to your nose immediately. Take a deep breath.
What to look for: - Positive notes: green grass, tomato leaf, fresh almond, artichoke, wild flowers - Negative notes: old butter (rancid), vinegar, damp cellar, mold
Take two or three sniffs, then move the glass away and breathe neutral air for a few seconds.
Minute 3 — Taste
Take a sip (about 3-5ml). Do not swallow immediately. Distribute the oil across your tongue — under and to the sides — and then slurp air through semi-closed lips (strippaggio), as if you were whistling softly. This slurping vaporizes the oil, sending volatile compounds towards the retro-nasal olfactory receptors.
Keep the oil in your mouth for 20-30 seconds before swallowing.
Minute 4 — Wait for the pepper
After swallowing, wait. The spiciness (throat kick) is not felt immediately — it comes after, in the back of the throat. It might make you cough: this is normal and very positive. The more intense it is, the higher the concentration of oleocanthal.
Evaluate also: - The bitterness (tasted primarily at the back of the tongue) - The balance between fruity, bitter, and pungent notes.
Minute 5 — Cleanse and repeat
Drink some room-temperature water and eat a piece of neutral bread. Wait a minute. Now you are ready to taste a second oil for comparison.
Try our Olive Oil Tasting Box
Three different flavor profiles, tasting guide included. Perfect for beginners and groups.
Discover the box →