Introducing Gourmet Tunisian Olive Oil
Cibaria Fine Oils is proud to introduce the newest members of our Gourmet Olive Oil and Vinegar line:
.
Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil and
.
Organic Tunisian Extra Virgin olive Oil
.
Both new olive oils come in 500ml quantities, and are sure to leave you wanting to use it in everything. This olive oil has a smooth flavor, and is amazingly fresh and vibrant. Perfect as a Holiday / Christmas Gourmet gift, or to use yourself. You can’t go wrong with oil from the amazing Mediterranean country of Tunisia. (Which boasts a near-perfect climate for amazing olives!)
.
Tunisia is one of the oldest known Olive Oil producing countries, and they even are home to one of the world’s oldest Olive trees. It is estimated that this tree is at least a few thousand years old.
.
This fine olive oil is imported directly from the beautiful country of Tunisia. This long-time olive oil producing country has many olive oil trees that exceed 100 years old. It is also the home of the world’s oldest olive oil tree. In November the fruit is handpicked in the traditional way, the ripe olives being raked from the branches with a special comb. They are carefully sorted and then crushed straight away. Tunisian Olive Oil is recognized by many chefs and connoisseurs as one of the best olive oils to utilize. This is a smooth, rich olive oil, that is very versatile.
.
Olive Oil and Tunisia – The History
For thousands of years, olive oil had been prominent in all the great civilizations that have prospered in Tunisia. The olive tree was cultivated by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Arabs, in a tradition that has been passed down from father to son ever since.
Olive cultivation in Tunisia dates back to the 8th century BC, even before the founding of Carthage by the Queen Dido. The Phoenicians were the first to introduce this crop to North Africa.
In the Carthaginian period, olive cultivation started to spread an account of several advantages granted to olive-growers.
Romans continued the expansion of olive-growing stepped up irrigation, olive oil extraction techniques. Excavations at Sufeitula (present-day Sbeitla) and Thysdrus (El Jem) and Roman mosaics discovered in Sousse, attest the widespread culture of olive-trees throughout Tunisia.
Tunisia is the largest olive oil producer outside the European Union, and comes fourth in the world following Spain, Italy and Greece.
Since ancient times, olive oil was used for various purposes: Athletes used it to massage their muscles to make them suppler, women used it to keep their skin looking young, it was thought to be a strengthening tonic which helped prevent baldness, and with addition of wine and spices, it was used for cosmetic.
The collection of the archeological and ethnographic objects and utensils attest the importance of olive oil in the everyday life and people’s art living throughout the History of Tunisia.
Important- New Olive Oil Standards in the USA
Esteemed Customers and Colleagues,
The USDA Has recently issued their new standards for Grades of Olive Oil, and Olive Pomace Oil within the United States that will go into effect October 24th, 2010. The older standards that were enacted in 1949 will be replaced with these new standards. Cibaria and its suppliers have been active in voicing the USA’s need for enhanced standards when it comes to olive oil quality. Initially, the new standards will be used by U.S. Customs to inspect incoming shipments and will be voluntary for those doing business within the United States. However, we are confident that it is the beginning of the U.S.’s move to stricter standards within the olive oil industry. In an effort to ensure that all olive oils in our marketplace are meeting the International Olive Oil Council’s standards, we believe this new regulation is a small improvement, of hopefully many more, to come from the USDA regarding olive oil.
What this New Standard Means For Your Company, and Your Customers
Cibaria International, Inc. will continue to strictly adhere to these regulations. In accordance with this new USDA policy, Cibaria now encourages you to submit Purchase Orders which include the clause that state “All deliveries must be in accordance with USDA standards”. By including this clause on your verbal or written purchase orders, you are ensuring that the oil you are receiving is exactly what the label states. Although Cibaria has been clearly and honestly labeling products for years, many companies and distributors don’t practice this crucial process, which leads to increased fraud in the marketplace.
This new regulation is a small step in making companies more aware of the olive oil that they are receiving. It is aimed at eliminating the mislabeling of products pertaining to the grade of olive oil that it may be. This new regulation will also bring to light any oils that carry any unknown allergens that may be present in oils that do not meet the new USDA Olive Oil standards.
Vegetable Oil can no longer be blended with Olive Oil without carrying a clear label, which identifies all of the oil’s contents. The previous standards of 1949 did not offer a solution to those misrepresenting varieties of oils. This is truly a step in the right direction to better protect your company, and your customers.
To view the USDA’s document regarding these new standards: http://www.cooc.com/docs/USDAstandard.pdf
Thank you for your patronage,
Cibaria International, Inc.
1203 Hall Ave.
Riverside, CA 92509
951-823-8490
Happy 4th of July from Cibaria Oils!
Happy 4th! Please Note that our offices will be closed on Monday, July 5th, in honor of the Holiday.
We’re getting rave reviews on our Traditional Style Balsamic Vinegar of Modena as a great summer treat. We recommend it on salads, ice cream, bread, pasta, and anything else you can get it on! (Trust us, it’s THAT good!). If your heart desires something even sweeter, we also recommend our delicious gourmet balsamic glazes which come in delightful flavors such as Vanilla Balsamic Glaze, White Truffle Balsamic Glaze, and for those who love spicy, a Red Hot Pepper Balsamic Glaze.
Happy 4th of July from the Cibaria International team!