For a lot of people who might not have access to more niche chain grocery stores, Whole Foods is this closest we can get to having the luxury to browse over more elevated options. And there’s nothing quite as extravagant, and thus celebratory, as a more niche, high-end olive oil. This is something that Whole Foods has no shortage of.
Our Official Thoughts
Pros — While it might seem a touch redundant to emphasize how smooth an olive oil can be, with this particular product, texture isn’t the sole factor at play. Of course, the oil’s body will feel smooth and glossy, as you would expect, but the Mild and Robust varieties we sampled deliver a distinctively silky, cohesive flavor that pairs with a richly aromatic profile. Neither one leaves a harsh bitterness or a tannic aftertaste behind.
Naturally, we anticipated the Robust version to carry more audacity, and it does. It presents a fruity core with a peppery kick that makes it our preferred of the two. Yet the Mild manages to retain much of its fruity brightness; it defies the usual tendency for ‘mild’ oils to sacrifice aroma. This one preserves its aromatic character while mellowing some of the sharper pepper notes.
For our palate, the Mild embodies the ideal option for a homemade salad dressing that leans on other aromatics, or for cooking where the flavors are meant to blend with heat. The Robust oil, by contrast, excels as a finishing touch—drizzled over dips or used to dunk bread and truly savor the oils’ character.
Cons — Honestly, there isn’t much to fault with these oils. They are lush and deeply flavorful in every respect we could want. Still, excellence comes at a price. At roughly $20 per bottle, the value for the quality is one of the more reasonable price points we’ve encountered amid today’s market. They aren’t the most affordable olive oils on grocery shelves, though.
That said, if there is someone in your circle who lives and breathes culinary science, history, or heritage, this pair would make an ideal gift. And the price point is such that it wouldn’t be out of reach to repurchase for yourself either. As the holidays approach, Damya’s commitment to transparency, flavor, and ethical food practices has our attention.
