A Bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Gift for the Table
There is a particular pleasure in arriving for supper with something your host will enjoy long after the evening is over. A good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is just such a gift.
It might be opened there and then, poured into a shallow dish and passed around with bread. Or it might find its way into tomorrow’s lunch, over warm beans, a bowl of soup or the last tomatoes of the season.
Either way, it is a gift that earns its place in the kitchen.
In this article
- Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil makes a thoughtful gift
- Choosing an oil your host will enjoy
- Olive oils that bring a little extra flavour
- Making a gift of simple pleasures
- Frequently asked questions
Something good to bring to supper
A bottle of wine is a lovely thing to bring, though on a busy table it can disappear among the others, poured and enjoyed before anyone quite remembers who brought what.
A good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil tends to linger a little longer. Your host might reach for it the next morning, then again for supper, gradually getting to know its flavour and finding favourite ways to use it. It becomes a small, cherished part of the kitchen, with a reminder of you each time it is poured.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil offers plenty to enjoy: its aroma, its texture, the bitterness and peppery warmth that give each oil its character. There is something rather satisfying about giving an everyday ingredient that has been chosen with care.
It is useful, too. A spoonful over roasted vegetables, a generous pour into a dressing, a little stirred through lentils while they are still warm. Each time it is used, it brings something to the meal.
Choosing a bottle with character
You don’t need to find the strongest or most expensive oil to make a good gift. Think instead about the person receiving it and the food they like to cook.
Someone who enjoys simple salads, fish and lightly cooked vegetables may appreciate a gentler oil. A cook who loves hearty soups, beans and bitter leaves might enjoy something with a more pronounced peppery finish.
If you are unsure, a versatile oil that works across plenty of dishes is a good place to start.
Our House Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from the Naturvie estate in Extremadura, Spain. We have worked with Fernando and his team for many years, and it is an oil we return to for the same reason our customers do: it brings flavour to everyday cooking.
The word “House” reflects its place in our kitchen. It is the bottle to reach for often, whether you are making supper or simply tearing off a piece of bread.
For a closer look at the different styles of oil, read How to Taste and Store Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
A little lemon, basil or chilli
An infused olive oil makes a thoughtful gift for someone who likes to cook but appreciates a little help with the finishing touches.
Our infused oils are made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, bringing another layer of flavour to an ingredient already worth having in the cupboard.
Lemon Olive Oil brings a citrus lift to marinades, simply grilled fish and warm vegetables. It is particularly useful when a dish needs a little brightness at the end.
Basil Olive Oil is lovely with ripe tomatoes, torn mozzarella and toasted bread. A little stirred through warm pasta brings its fragrance to the whole bowl.
Aleppo Chilli Olive Oil adds warmth and a gently smoky depth. Try it over grilled meat, roasted squash or a bowl of beans, where the oil can mingle with the cooking juices.
Choose one that suits your host’s kitchen, or bring a small selection so they can try different flavours.
Make a gift of the whole ritual
A bottle of oil needs very little company. Some good bread is enough to turn it into something to share.
For a more generous gift, add a jar of olives bathing in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Put them on the table together and there is already the beginning of an evening: olives to pick at, oil for dipping and bread to catch every last drop.
Our Olive Bowl was designed for this simple pleasure. It separates the olives from their oil, allowing the oil to be enjoyed for dipping, dressing or cooking.
It is a useful companion to a jar of olives, and a gift that can return to the table again and again.
For something already brought together, explore our hampers and gifts.
A gift to open and enjoy
Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil is there to be used. Open it, taste it and let it become part of the kitchen.
Keep it away from light and heat, close it after pouring and enjoy it while its flavour is fresh. A cool cupboard is a better home than a sunny windowsill or the space beside the hob.
Most of all, encourage the person receiving it to be generous. A gift like this gives its greatest pleasure in the using: over supper, with friends, or on a piece of toast when the kitchen is quiet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil a good dinner party gift?
Yes. It makes a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys food and cooking. It can be shared with bread on the evening or used in meals afterwards.
Which olive oil should I choose as a gift?
Choose according to the recipient’s taste and the food they enjoy cooking. A versatile Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a useful starting point, while lemon, basil or chilli olive oils offer different flavours to explore.
What can I give alongside olive oil?
A jar of olives, good bread or an Olive Bowl makes a natural companion. You can also choose a hamper that brings together ingredients for cooking and sharing.
Should a gift bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil be saved for a special occasion?
There is no need to wait. Extra Virgin Olive Oil does not improve with age, so it is best opened and enjoyed while fresh.
How should Extra Virgin Olive Oil be stored?
Keep it tightly closed in a cool, dark cupboard, away from the hob and direct sunlight. Our tasting and storage guide explains more.