We got a recommendation to stop at the Albuquerque Olive Oil Company from a friend who knows a friend who was a chef. I try and look into recommendations because you never know. Sometimes the recommendation works out and other times it doesn’t. This recommendation just wowed us. Since we are trying to help local businesses, this place was a real find.
Albuquerque Olive Oil had some of some of the best olive oil I have ever tasted. Usually when you get infused flavor in an olive oil, it is hiding a not so good olive oil. That is not the case here. This olive oil is an incredible, top shelf product. There were so many different olive oils to choose from, too. There was the extra virgin olive oil and then all kinds of infused olive oil as well as fused olive oil. We were able to taste any kind of olive oil we wanted. I choose the green chile infused., Wow! I was warned that this product had a definite kick, it sure as heck did.
It was great, too bad I didn’t know how to use it. They did have suggestions of usage and recipes but I was not sure about how hot that olive oil was and my stomach.
I also learned the difference between fused and infused olive oil. Fused olive oil the addition is pressed with the olives while infused is added after the olives have been pressed. Who Knew??? I sure didn’t.
We decided to buy the lemon fused(12) and the chipotle infused( 12). The chipotle was a milder version of the green chile. My mouth was still sort of numb.
Do know that you can purchase other products like balsamic vinegar, olives, and spices as well. On this visit I was just trying to focus on the olive oil. What an incredible selection!
We talked to the owner, Richard Campbell. He said that he was on vacation and went to a shop that sold olive oil. He had never tasted olive oil that tasted that good.
We also talked about how the pandemic has hit this store. They missed out on Black Friday and the general Christmas rush. Reduced store hours also took its toll. But now the store is open from 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday. There are two Albuquerque Olive Stores in Albuquerque. The store I visited was on the west side at 10700 Corrales Rd. Their other store is located at 8001 Wyoming NE.
I wished him good luck. He has a delicious product. His story needs to be told.
I’m going to see about ordering online. I have many friends that cook and they can always use a good olive oil.
Santa Fe City Different Foodie 