Any dish starts with the simple ingredients that bring out its full flavor, whether spices, herbs, citruses – or the essential cooking oils with the magical ability to add depth, texture and sensory power to any meal.
And for the best quality meal, it is important to use the highest quality oils which can be used for almost every occasion – whether baking, grilling, frying; for marinades, pastas or salads – but also provide healthy fats that offer Thais a nutritious cooking alternative.
According to the "Thai Food Good Heart Project" report by the Heart Foundation of Thailand under the Royal Patronage and Mahidol University's Faculty of Public Health, olive oil is listed as a leading healthy oil – ideal for reducing the risk of common illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease due to its high content of polyphenols, antioxidants, monosaturated fats, vitamin E and K and omega.
Thai people are becoming increasingly health-conscious – with Thailand being the first country in ASEAN to ban the production of artificial trans fats at the start of 2019 – and consumers are now constantly on the lookout for higher quality ingredients. According to a recent survey from IFIC1 (International Food Information Council Foundation), consumers today want to know how their food is produced, where it came from and the quality of the ingredients.
It is why Bertolli Olive Oil has become a market leader in the edible oil market in Thailand, as customers are drawn not only to its health benefits but its undeniable quality. Mr. Jose María Sagrado Jimenez, International Marketing Director, Deoleo S.A. echoed this sentiment, "At Deoleo and Bertolli, the world's leading olive oil producer with over 150 years of experience, we truly believe that high-quality olive oil can only be obtained from the best ingredients. With our uncompromising attitude towards quality, we make sure every production step leads to finest olive oil for our customers to make every meal extraordinary."
For Bertolli, this process begins even before it picks the olives from the earth. So before enjoying a healthy salad with Extra Virgin olive oil or using Extra Light Tasting for your BBQ as you hear that memorable sizzling, see the fascinating journey of Olive Oil from farm to table.
Harvest
The most important factor in high-quality olive oil is simple: the olives. Unlike wine that picks up definition over time, olives contain more antioxidants and polyphenols for good health when they are picked early and straight off the tree in their best condition. Not only does early picking assist the quality of the resulting olive oil, but it also helps the olive trees have more time to replenish before the next harvesting season. To ensure only the most premium olives are harvested, producers like Bertolli also use organic and sustainable farming methods– without artificial or synthetic fertilizers – and analyze throughout the crop season to capture the best olives.
Pressing
Immediately after the olives are handpicked from the trees, they are transferred directly to the mill for pressing. For Bertolli, this occurs within 10 hours to preserve freshness, genuine taste and nutritious benefits. Low levels of fatty acids are an indicator of the best olive oils and Bertolli's philosophy is picked early, freshly pressed – by pressing them quickly, the olive oil has lower acidity levels, meaning more health benefits for customers.
Packaging
While beautifully designed bottles may seem like simple pleasure to the eyes, it actually impacts the quality of your olive oil. Green tinted bottles such as Bertolli's Extra Virgin Olive Oil help protect the oil from heat, light and oxygen while maintaining the best condition possible throughout the product's lifecycle. It's why producers also provide clear labels on the bottles with detailed information, so customers can easily understand its best uses, manufacturing and harvest dates, and its expiry date .
"We are proud that we have helped promote healthier eating to Thai consumers and kick-started ways to lead an enjoyable and nutrition-filled life. Thanks to its high versatility, proven health benefits, and quality, consumers can enjoy Bertolli olive oil in almost every meal," added Mr. Jose María Sagrado Jimenez, International Marketing Director, Deoleo S.A.
About Bertolli
The world's number one olive oil brand, Bertolli was founded in the small Tuscan town of Lucca, Italy. For 150 years, the Bertolli name has been synonymous with Italian and international cooking and eating. At the heart of the Bertolli brand is a commitment to quality, dedication to leveraging the natural goodness of ingredients and a tradition of providing outstanding and flavorful olive oils to Thailand and the world. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/BertolliTH/.