Infused Olive Oil & Vinegars

Recently, I took a second job at an olive oil and vinegar shop. The oils and vinegars are infused with different flavors, and the store is set up as a tasting room. Customers come in, filling small tasting cups with infused flavors that intrigue their taste buds, and dip a piece of fresh cut bread into the oils and vinegars to taste. Flavors range from spicy, to sweet, to earthy - about 50 of them! My top three favorite flavors are the garlic infused olive oil, raspberry balsamic and black truffle oil. Talk about a dream job, guys!

I've tried about 95% of the infused oils and vinegars so far, with the exception of dark chocolate, espresso and a couple of others. I will get around to trying them eventually but I am not a fan of real dark chocolate at all, so I am a bit hesitant! A lot of people do like the dark chocolate balsamic, and peach and fig are amongst other popular flavors. 

In addition to the oils and vinegars, we sell pastas, pickles, jellies and jams, local honey, stuffed olives, shampoo & conditioners, and much more!

My love for this job stems from my love of cooking and pairing flavors. I can't tell you how many times I've brought an undressed salad with me to work, just to experiment with mixing the oil and balsamic together (basil olive oil with black cherry balsamic was dynamite)! I have used the garlic oil for sautéing my veggies quick, raspberry balsamic on bruschetta or the truffle oils in my risotto/mashed potatoes/mac and cheese. Just the other day, I drizzled my Mexican mac n cheese with the chipotle oil, and it added the perfect kick!  When customers come in and discuss how they used the Tahitian Vanilla on brussels sporuts, it inspires me to try different things. 

Do you have this type of store near you? If so, it is a must try! Feel free to comment below and tell me what your favorite infused flavor is. What do you use it in?