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As in so many kitchens, extra virgin olive oil is one of the most-used ingredients in Ottolenghi’s. It goes into the pan before anything else, and it’s usually the last thing a dish is finished with too: there at the start of a stew and the end of a salad, under the fish and over the beans, standing in for cream, for butter, sometimes for a sauce altogether. Ottolenghi has partnered with Citizens of Soil on an EVOO from the Tuscan and Umbrian hills – the same hills where Yotam spent his childhood summers. Citizens of Soil work only with small-scale family growers committed to regenerative farming, harvesting and milling within hours, which is key to locking in freshness, flavour, and quality. It’s a finishing oil rather than an everyday cooking one: green, grassy and peppery, with notes of artichoke bitterness, and almond running underneath. Built for drizzling, not frying – over burrata, over roasted vegetables, over a really good piece of bread, and always poured over generously. “Good olive oil changes everything – it’s my most used ingredient, by a country mile,” said Yotam Ottolenghi. “Working with Citizens of Soil on our own oil, sourced from Tuscany and Umbria – regions I’ve known since childhood – is the perfect fit. It’s a finishing oil: the last thing on my plate, poured over salads, pasta, fresh fish. Always last and always generously. I’m so proud to be putting our name on it.” Sarah Vachon, Founder & Olive Oil Sommelier at Citizens of Soil, added: “We have the privilege of working with some of the most talented and thoughtful small-batch producers of olives, who all prioritise flavour, nutrition, and nature over yields. “When the Ottolenghi team came to us and talked about Yotam’s favourite styles of olive oil and his connection to this region, we knew we had the perfect people to create something together Something that represents the landscapes, the gastronomy, and the culture of this beautiful corner of the Mediterranean.” Charlotte Kissane, Oil Buyer at Waitrose, says: “We’re delighted to launch this exclusive collaboration between Ottolenghi and Citizens of Soil. Our food lovers are increasingly seeking out premium, small-batch finishing oils that put flavour and sustainable farming first. Citizens of Soil’s focus on regenerative agriculture and soil health aligns perfectly with our own values, and when paired with Ottolenghi’s unparalleled flair for flavour, the result is an extra virgin olive oil of extraordinary quality built for finishing and drizzling.” Ottolenghi Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means. Available in 500ml bottles. RRP: £24. |
