Virgins and Drupes

by G. Murphy Donovan (April 2013)

“The only virgin in my town is the olive oil.” –  Alfredo Cotsamano

The margarine versus butter brouhaha is similar to the olive wars, a clash between quality small producers and distribution giants whose concern for customers is subordinate to the bottom line. We now know that margarine and all those faux butters are not only inferior, but many might be health hazards. Sadly, the dirt about chemical margarine is not widely dished and the damage has already been done to superior dairy over the years. Quality is nearly always the price of cheap.

oil fraud several years ago that still gets traffic, and hopefully customers, on the family farm website.

Allure Groves, California

Good oil is slightly bitter, smells fruity, and should tickle the back of your throat. The aftertaste is clean not greasy.

What is to be done?

Years ago, I was sitting at a Pentagon conference table prior to a meeting and the scandal of the moment was a story that alleged the USAF was buying toilet seats at $1400 a pop. Midst the scatological guffaws, the presiding general called the meeting to order and allowed as he would pardon the seller if he could hang the buyer. So it should be with inferior olive oil or any junk food.

We all vote with our wallets and then second the motion with colitis and kidney stones. Distributors, retailers, and Italian mobsters are not the villains. The enemy is us. Most buyers are harried wives and mothers who are often seen flying down store aisles like unmade beds, one or two carts burdened with packaged and processed foods.

decisions.

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The author has a jigger of olive oil every morning to lubricate his pacemaker.

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