It’s always fun getting something in the mail and it’s even more fun when that something is a “foodie goodie” to review.  Here at UltimateFoodie – we had pretty mixed experiences with our promo package from Aralia Olive Oils as Karen and Joel’s arrived delayed – soggy – opened by someone and apparently missing a (broken or leaky) bottle.  Mine arrived intact along with some nice promotional materials on the product and the company.
I received a tall, gorgeous bottle of their “Aria” brand Extra Virgin Olive Oil and was happy to dive into using it immediately as I was actually fresh out of EVOO.  The Aria EVOO turned out to be a wonderful addition to my kitchen – serving admirably paired with Balsamic Vinegar for dipping with crusty Italian bread as well as in use in pasta dishes and on home made grilled pizzas.  It had a really pleasant unprocessed and pure fruity character that I really enjoyed. The texture is also rich and silky.
The story behind Aralia oils is a great one as well. Emmanuel Daskalakis, an architect from Boston was visiting his ancestral homeland in Crete when he fell in love with the groves of olives that his family had been tending for generations – some of the trees literally 1000 years old.  He loved the product that resulted from their loving approach and small batch pressing and was disappointed to learn that most of the oil was being sold for blending with cheaper varieties for exporting.  Daskalakis saw the potential of a boutique brand that focused on producing and selling directly the best of the best … and Aralia Olive Oils and their Aria and Alia Brands.
The Aria Oil was really good – but I was surprised to see that they have an even higher end Alia brand that is made from the first press of the season and must be pre-ordered between October 1st and December 10th for deliver the next year.
Aralia has won rave reviews for the quality and taste of their Olive Oils and as such is definitely not a bargain brand.  Pricing runs from $19.95 for a half litre bottle of Aria to $29.95 for a half litre of Alia. Totally worth it though.  Aralia Olive Oils are available in your local Gourmet shop or online
