EVOO for a Healthier Life

Amy Shelton, from Mazzone Olive Oil, was the guest speaker at the LWRWC general meeting on November 10, 2021 at LWR Town Hall,

Amy explained why she is passionate about Mazzone Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Gold Award winner in the 2020 and 2021 NYIOOC Olive Oil Competition, the world’s largest and most prestigious olive oil competition. Mazzone EVOO is a 100% organic, fair trade olive oil that is made from hand harvested Coratina olives that are stone milled.

Amy provided a brief history of Mazzone Olive Oil, founded by Mike and Cinzia Forbes, and shared an overview of how olives grow, how they are harvested, and the traditional process used to make cold-pressed EVOO. She stressed that olive oil is the Mazzone family passion and tradition. They are are dedicated to producing superior quality, delicious extra virgin olive oil from the heart of Ruvo di Puglia.

Amy explained that olives are actually not a vegetable but belong to the stone fruit family. Mazzone olives are harvested by hand because they stop ripening once picked and deteriorate right after picking. The grinding/milling process to make EVOO begins within 24 hours of harvesting the olives.

For generations, the Mazzone Family has been transforming their superior single varietal Coratina Olives, considered the queen of olives, into exceptional olive oil. Mazzone olives are milled once, with the leftover flesh and pulp (pomace) used as fertilizer.

If you think all olive oil is equally healthy, think again. Only Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is first, cold pressed from excellent olives, free of sensory defects, and loaded with polyphenols is great for your health. It is crucial you know what is in your olive oil bottle.

So, what should you look for? The answer is organic, extra virgin olive oil (not “extra light” or “virgin” or any other name), a best by or harvest date (not set of initials/country codes), and the location of the Olive Mill (not a distribution or corporate address).

In addition to their Retail Store in Sarasota, Mazzone Olive Oil is available at the Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, Morton’s Gourmet Market, and online at www.MazzoneOliveOil.com. They also conduct a variety of on-site classes, including cooking, paint, and sip, and limoncello making.

Amy also shared information about opportunities to journey with Mazzone Olive Oil to discover Italy via unique and enchanting hands-on tours. The following tours of Italy are planned for 2022, and if you are interested in going along, please email info@ mazzoneoliveoil.com or call Cinzia at 941 735-5026 or Mike at 941- 925-3004.

Grape Harvest in Puglia – September 10-17, 2022, and September 24-October 1, 2022
Truffle Hunt & Barolo Tour in Piemonte – October 22-29, 2022
Olive Harvest in Puglia – November 12-19, 2022

Business Meeting

Following, the presentation, the Business Meeting, was called to order by LWRWC Co-President Cheryl Breining. Election of the LWRWC Executive Board for 2022 was unanimous. Elected for 2022: President, Carol Belmont, Vice President, Ann Sledz, Treasurer, Kathleen Cleveland, Recording Secretary, Janet Dobbs, and Corresponding Secretary, Trish Newman.