Convivial Conversation

Olive Oil Quality Assurance and Shelf Life Standards

Not all olive oils age the same. Learn how phenolic content, storage, and lab testing affect shelf life—and why we go beyond the standard “best by” date on every bottle.

Crop Report, Table Olives Summer 2024

Here is our summer report, including photos.

Crop Report, Table Olives June 2024

Here are a few photos from our orchard meeting on June 16th. We're tracking to start shipments of fresh un-processed olives in mid September.

How to Taste Olive Oil: taste early, taste often, and pay attention

Part of quality assurance is understanding an oil is made and how to assess it through both sensory (tasting) and chemical means. I'm a trained taster, and so is Emily, whom I've invited to share h...

Crop Report, Table Olives May 2024

Read this early insider report about the table olive harvest, how this crop impacts our town, and a some of our plans.

I added EVOO to my Coffee

Spring 2024 Update to our February 2023 essay.  As a food professional and trained olive oil taster, I could not easily imagine enjoying our favorite local artisan-roast coffee (or even Starbucks)...

Extending an Olive Branch

National Reconciliation Day, observed on April 2nd is a day dedicated to promoting understanding, forgiveness, and cooperation. Is it time to address an estrangement through reconciliation this yea...

The Beauty of Olivewood

The beauty of olivewood is due, in part, to the fact that it is slow growing, often in harsh conditions. Being slow growers, the wood these trees yield is hard, durable, and well suited for kitchen...

Frozen Olive Oil? Get the Facts.

Did your olive oil arrive cold and congealed? It's okay, it just needs to come to room temperature. Here are some facts about olive oil and freezing.

Olive Oil, Second Breakfast, and Thoughts on Health

The Mediterranean Diet is not a "diet" as much as it is a life choice. I'm here because olive oil is delicious, however, a wonderful "side effect" is that it is also exceptionally healthy for you. ...

Personalization Gone Wrong

Thank you for helping me get your name right. Here's what I learned.

Your Climate Positive Action Update

Here is a brief accounting of the impact you've made in carbon neutrality on the road to being climate positive.

New Recipe Feature

Our recipe section has a new feature. Learn more, then try it!

The saga of the Discontinued Packaging

Our standard 375 ml size glass bottles are no longer being made. Here's what we're doing.

Global Olive Crop Forecast for the 2023 Campaign

Here is a preliminary look at the availability of olive oil based on recent reports from friends near and far.

Tell Me More About Traditional Balsamic Vinegar

Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena may well be the most celebrated and beloved item in our assortment since its introduction in 2010. This essay was first published July 2021, and has been upd...

One of the Best Breads for Olio Novello May Surprise You

"When presented with a baguette, ciabatta, or other crusty white bread many people would gladly reach for a bottle of olive oil. A whole grain loaf, on the other hand, may lead one to butter or a c...

We Graduated to an Olive Oil Menorah

This is a short personal note about menorahs and oil and a few helpful links.

Cultivating and Caring for Olive Trees

Some fundamentals about site selection and soil composition as well as irrigation and pruning techniques, and every facet plays a crucial role in fostering healthy, thriving olive trees. Whether yo...

Birds as Natural Pest Control

American Olive Farmer owner, formerly General Manager of Lucero Olive Oil, was recently interviewed by Olive Oil Times about habitat for birds in olive orchards and their role in natural pest control.

Fresh Raw Olives from our Town to Your Table

The first table olives were planted here in 1897 and although Corning once boasted 9 different olive processing plants, there is only one today. Read about the impact to small farmers and how you c...

7 Olive Oil Health Benefits for Dogs

Here is a personal account of why I sometimes include a bit of extra virgin olive oil in my dog's diet along with a list of the 7 most commonly cited health claims and caveats.

Summer Outdoor Chicken Dinner & Dessert

It's 109ºF and too hot to cook. Donald shares roasting a chicken dinner outside.

The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Insalata Caprese

The evolution of Caprese along with my initial thoughts on flavors and pairing olive oil with tomatoes.

Building a Better Burger

Here are our thoughts on what makes a good hamburger, covering ingredients, techniques, and assembly. Read on for a brief refresher on technique, some inspiration, and links to two recipes.

You Can Plant Olive Trees in Both Spring and Fall

Many consider the spring season best for planting olive trees, however, fall planting also has distinctive advantages. Read more to learn why.

Suprême d'Agrumes Method

Here's a brief on preparing citrus slices without membrane with photos included.

January Orchard Update - Rain!

This is a short account of the rain impact to our area along with a 28 second video (at the bottom of the page).

The Ideal Sourdough for Olive Oil

With just three simple ingredients; wheat, water and salt, this bread is worthy for dipping into fresh olive oil. People who think that they like don’t like sourdough like this one.

Caring for Your Olive Tree Gift

Read the fundamentals of how to care for olive trees upon arrival, before an  event, and when it's time to repot or transplant them.

Olive Oil and Sustainability for the Layperson

Olive trees, at their essence, are sustainable. Generally speaking, they're much less needly than most crops.

Why Olive Oil Loves Jacobsen Salt

Jacobsen's signature flake finishing salt's bright salinity and delicate crunch enhance the enjoyment of food, especially bitter foods such as an early harvest olive oil or some green vegetables. ...

Balsamic Vinegar Cocktails, Preliminary Thoughts

Please enjoy these preliminary explorations on the use of balsamic vinegar as an ingredient in cocktails, mocktails, and balsamic vinegar beverages in general. 

What is EcoCart and Why it Matters

We've partnered with EcoCart® to analyze the carbon footprint of each transaction, recommend an offset amount for your specific order, collect the funds when you check out, and apply 100% of that o...

Thoughts on the Care of Olivewood

The care of olivewood is easy, and you likely practice good wood care already, however, in the spirit of thoroughness, here are my thoughts on the care of olivewood and other wooden utensils for cu...

Lucero Roasted Garlic Oil and More

Three more items are on the way! Read about Lucero Roasted Garlic Olive Oil, Lucero Lemon Agrumato Olive Oil, and Lucero Genovese Basil Olive Oil.

Spring Update - Scheduled Product Availability

Here is the current schedule for product availability for Lucero Olive Oil products as of mid-March 2022. All dates are subject to change. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Olive Oil Harvest: A Farmer's Perspective

Hand harvesting olives is hard work and takes many hands, so each year independent agricultural workers find their way to licensed farm labor contractors (FLCs) who help us bring in the crop.

Facts About Lead in Balsamic Vinegar

Facts and context for California customers regarding Prop 65 and lead in balsamic vinegar.

The Estate Arbequina Orchard at Hall Road

The estate Arbequina orchard at Hall Road is the primary source of our Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 267 acres set among California oak savannah are planted with 204 acres of olives, and the fa...

Meet a Farmer: Liz Tagami, General Manager for Lucero Olive Oil

This interview first appeared in the CA Grown Newsletter, October 27, 2017 As General Manager for Lucero Olive Oil, Liz Tagami can be found doing everything from overseeing a photo shoot for a cat...