How to Use Olive Oil in the Kitchen
Get the most out of every drop
Great olive oil deserves to be used with intention. Olivestri's Olio Nuovo is not a background ingredient — it is a flavor unto itself, and the best way to experience it is in applications where it can truly shine.
The Golden Rule: Use It Raw
Olio Nuovo is at its most extraordinary when used uncooked, as a finishing oil. Heat diminishes the delicate aromatic compounds and fresh flavors that make it special. The best chefs in the world know this — a great olive oil added at the end of cooking, right before the dish hits the table, transforms the entire experience.
The Best Ways to Use Olio Nuovo
Bread & Bruschetta
The simplest and perhaps most perfect way to experience Olio Nuovo. Grill or toast thick slices of good bread, rub lightly with a cut clove of garlic, and pour the oil generously over the top. Finish with flaky sea salt. Nothing else needed.
Pasta & Risotto
Finish any pasta or risotto with a generous pour of Olio Nuovo just before serving. It adds richness, depth, and a brightness that no other ingredient can replicate. Aglio e olio — pasta with garlic and olive oil — is one of the great dishes of Italian cuisine, and it lives or dies by the quality of the oil.
Soups & Stews
A drizzle of Olio Nuovo over a bowl of minestrone, ribollita, lentil soup, or bean stew right before serving adds a layer of flavor and richness that elevates the entire dish. This is standard practice throughout Umbria and Tuscany and one of the most effortless ways to make everyday cooking exceptional.
Fish & Seafood
Extra virgin olive oil and seafood are natural partners. Drizzle Olio Nuovo over grilled branzino, seared scallops, poached halibut, or a simple shrimp dish. The oil's buttery, grassy notes complement the delicate flavor of seafood beautifully.
Meat & Poultry
Finish a grilled steak, roasted lamb, or roasted chicken with a pour of Olio Nuovo just before serving. The pepper and grassiness of the oil cuts through richness and adds a complexity that is remarkable.
Vegetables
Roasted, grilled, or raw — vegetables are transformed by good olive oil. Drizzle over roasted carrots, charred broccoli, grilled asparagus, or a simple salad of raw greens. Olio Nuovo makes even the humblest vegetables taste extraordinary.
Cheese & Charcuterie
Pour Olio Nuovo directly over fresh burrata, ricotta, mozzarella, or a slice of aged pecorino. Add a pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper. This is one of the great simple pleasures of the Italian table and requires almost no effort to pull off beautifully.
Eggs
Scrambled, fried, or poached — eggs finished with Olio Nuovo are something else entirely. Try it on a fried egg over toast, or drizzled over softly scrambled eggs. You will not go back.
Dipping
Pour into a shallow dish, add a pinch of flaky salt, maybe a crack of black pepper or a few fresh herb leaves, and serve with good bread. Simple, perfect, and endlessly satisfying.
Cooking with Olio Nuovo
While we always recommend using Olio Nuovo as a finishing oil to preserve its extraordinary fresh flavor, it is also an exceptional cooking oil. Use it to sauté vegetables, build the base of a sauce, confit garlic or tomatoes, or roast potatoes. High-quality extra virgin olive oil is more stable at cooking temperatures than most people realize, and even when heated, Olivestri's oil adds a richness and depth that neutral oils simply cannot match.
How to Store Your Oil
To preserve the freshness and flavor of your Olio Nuovo:
- Keep it away from light — store in a dark cabinet or pantry, never on a sunny countertop
- Keep it away from heat — avoid storing near the stove or oven
- Keep it sealed — exposure to air accelerates oxidation; always replace the cap after use
- Use it within 12–18 months of pressing for best quality, though Olio Nuovo is always best enjoyed as fresh as possible
- Never refrigerate — cold temperatures cause the oil to solidify and can affect flavor; room temperature storage is ideal
The 5L Fiordolio tin is ideal for kitchens that use olive oil generously and frequently. Pour into a smaller bottle for daily use and keep the tin sealed to preserve the rest.