Food - Drink
The Reason Ina Garten Doesn't Care For Italian
Olive Oil
By KAREN GRECO
“Barefoot Contessa” host Ina Garten is one of the world's most beloved food personalities. Garten counts olive oil as one of her pantry essentials, along with other staples like whole grain mustard and Maldon sea salt, but when Garten advises using good olive oil in her recipes, she doesn't mean Italian.
Bon Appétit reports that Garten prefers California's olive oil, as she finds the West Coast olives sweeter and less bitter than their Italian counterparts. The Food Network host doesn't just use the US-grown oil to finish dishes and for sauteeing, but also for dipping bread, drizzling, and dressing salads.
As per OliveOil.com, California has been producing the oil since the 1700s, when Spanish missionaries arrived and planted olive trees. There are many different brands and varieties of California olive oil there, so you can find one that best suits your palate and cooking style.
