The olive oil tasting set: how to make the most of it at the table

Why serve an olive oil tasting set at the table?

The olive oil tasting set is not reserved for professionals or for special occasions. These days it turns up on family tables and in restaurants alike, offering a one-of-a-kind sensory experience. By letting you taste several oils with varied aromatic profiles, it showcases the Italian terroir and makes every meal feel more alive.

This format, a great favourite at back-to-school meals and big September gatherings, lets you:

1. Discover the diversity of the fruity profiles (green, ripe, citrus, peppery).
2. Introduce your guests to the gestures and the words of tasting.
3. Liven up the table, with everyone sharing their impressions and preferences.
4. Showcase exceptional products and the producer's craft.

Trying a 200 ml olive oil trio, for example, takes you travelling through the nuances of green fruity, ripe fruity and citrus. Professionals can also enrich their menu with a gourmet set with olive oil and pistachio and cocoa-hazelnut spreads to offer a complete experience.

How do you present an olive oil tasting set at the table?

The art of the presentation

Tasting begins with the eyes. Here are a few tips to make your presentation shine:

• Use small glasses or individual dishes for each oil.
• Arrange the bottles on a tray, along with description cards.
• Have fresh bread ready, ideally lightly toasted, to taste each oil.
• Add a few grains of sea salt to bring out certain notes.

At home, a build-your-own gift set lets you pick your favourite oils and personalise the experience. In a restaurant, presenting at the table is also a chance to showcase your oil list: a detail that makes all the difference, like choosing a personalised bottle bearing the name of the house or of the chef.

Advice on the tasting order

1. Start with the mildest oils (ripe fruity).
2. Carry on with the green fruity or citrus ones.
3. Finish with the peppery or intense oils.

This progression keeps your palate from being overwhelmed and lets you pick up every subtlety.

Turning the tasting into a moment of exchange and transmission

The gestures and the words of tasting

Introducing your guests to tasting also means passing on a few gestures:

• Pour a drizzle of oil into your palm to warm it and release the aromas.
• Use the vocabulary of the pros: attack, bitterness, pungency, length.
• Share your impressions, without looking for the « right » answer.

A tasting set then becomes a teaching tool, perfect for a table activity or a discovery workshop, at home as much as in a restaurant dining room.

For professionals: making the most of the customer experience

Offering a tasting set at the table or to take away sets an establishment apart. It lets you:

• Justify a short but carefully selected menu.
• Train your teams in presenting and serving premium oils.
• Build customer loyalty through a memorable experience.

Find advice dedicated to personalising bottles for restaurants and hotels or to the complete offer for hospitality professionals.

Practical list: the essentials for a successful tasting

1. A set or trio of varied olive oils
2. Small tasting glasses or dishes
3. Fresh bread or plain toast
4. Description cards for the oils
5. Sea salt, optionally
6. A notebook for your guests' impressions

Frequently asked questions about the olive oil tasting set

How do you choose the oils to include in a tasting set?

Go for a diversity of fruity profiles (green, ripe, citrus) and of origins. An olive oil trio lets you vary the pleasures.

How much should you plan per person for a tasting at the table?

Count on roughly 10 to 15 ml of oil per person and per reference, which is about a tablespoon.

How do you personalise the experience for an event or in a restaurant?

Put together a personalised gift set, or create a bespoke bottle bearing the name of the house or of the client, from 24 units for professionals.