If i can't afford Belazu Verdemanda olive oil..

[WinterDeWinter]

at £15 (!!!) for 500ml, what can I use instead?

I really do love that fresh grassy taste when drizzled over for eg homemade velvet houmous - this was my treat, but I can't do it any more.

So, do you have an EVOO that you love that's not too pricey (especially if Aldi own brand haha)?

Belazu's Early Harvest is apparently the same olive (Arbequina), also picked early in the season - anyone tried it/both? is it fresh and grassy too?

Thanks very much in advance.

Try your local Mediterranean food store (if you have one near), they always have a large selection of olive oils. Also the olives sold in these stores are much nicer - always buy olives with pips.

Thanks @Finallydo - I do indeed have lots of Turkish shops near me. Just always seems like a bit of a risk! For anyone else interested in the future, this seems like an incredible bargain (same type of olive, same early picking) but you have to spend £30 or the delivery is £10, which makes it somewhat less of a bargain.

Il Casolare, available from most supermarkets, also gets good reviews. V interested if anyone has experience - I've bought it in the past when flush as my main cooking oil but not tasted it as a dipping/finishing oil.

This one in Sainsburys is quite nice & worth a try from the ones generally available in supermarkets. www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/san-leandro-extra-virgin-olive-oil-500ml

Moroccan olive oil from a Moroccan butchers on Golborne Road. £7.

Its the best I've ever tasted.

You can also buy it in Arab supermarkets in Shepherds Bush and High st Kensington. There are Arab shops elsewhere too, these are just the ones I've used.

The Il Casolare I remember being a good general purpose oil but nothing amazing. Feel like I should give it another go though.

But but - what’s the name @Shesasuperfreak ??! Sounds amazing and we have several North African places near me but they have at least ten oils per shop!

Thanks @smooththecat i will try that sainsbos one.

EL Ouazzania Virgin Olive Oil is one but I also get others. Just make sure its 100% because they do sell half olive oil half vegetable oil aswell.

No idea if it's similar to the one you like, but we really like this one for salads, over mozzarella, pasta etc

www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/oliveira-da-serra-extra-virgin-olive-oil-500ml?productId=435494&utm_campaign=15424330555&utm_medium=cpc&storeId=10151&gclid=CjwKCAiA_vKeBhAdEiwAFb_nrTCcF3ncFlB1VosFwP-Q-tIiniVo_0HGnJ48qGWCMav6-pz1Kq4fwRoCwBsQAvD_BwE&catalogId=10241&langId=44&utm_source=Google&krypto=09m0OGk2LgzUYlZkTFlPekIVACpmkUxt52HS0BhMjjzLheX70GdPrTc%2BXKFUPumEAoo1JM%2FW43voemSVnMoqNyFOTQr9J%2FrLJ7n8sJToNO7wrB64VnzduXZng6TWGflrax%2FR9I1kY0tGzUCVyMrhDyeuo%2FnMdPe3iLXvBwH%2Bplu6ZOnp2b7LpJiioeJnwSZtTyphBTe%2F1gxYiVfym%2FfbHXv0S%2B9NWOPuaVC%2FszhoiTs%2FeqzbGtY0t9rvJvDJOjD2iGrFx3bd%2FA0ajYw1IxclTOvBzrNQ8QiveItqHqd7uMIwKV8J242dEqRd1DHuxQM0Sv%2FNbXhf2UXBJhaodZcD1rLlzc5DIL6b5KUOv%2BFXLHOmX2t%2BEr%2FtxTCGZGTZXxP%2BkSTzQSmKIvm%2BRlYSKF0cBdAMGpWc7050TLJBSxuM3cFumQlpgYw6yXjsRwn0MsQVKvmRfo7aryw5xFRSZuT0UaXbJpp5%2BugVfKoWuBfRrhU%3D&ddkey=https%3Agb%2Fgroceries%2Foliveira-da-serra-extra-virgin-olive-oil-500ml

I'd love to know how you make the hummus.

I like the belazu early harvest one, which I think is cheaper. I always wait for it to be 25% off though.

Go in and ask the staff in your local North African shops! They will know far better what they are talking about!

This is a fantastic hummus recipe
cookieandkate.com/best-hummus-recipe/

The Belazu Early Harvest is similar and cheaper.

I find half the fun with olive oil is buying a different bottle each time.

Try Odysea

@Kiwimommyinlondon That recipe, sounds absolutely delicious! Thank you!

Il casolare isn't as good - I'd wait for a belazu offer and stock up.