catering equipment

Buying used catering equipment does not have to be a lottery, there are always options to consider. After spending 20 years in the catering business it soon became clear just how difficult it was to find good quality second hand catering equipment.

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Qualities of extra virgin oil?

Most gourmet olive oils you find are extracted from the best looking fruits at maturity. Before extraction, the fruits are washed and cleaned to remove the bitter principles.. The fruits are then processed soon after washing to obtain most of its antioxidants.. This relatively straightforward procedure produces the highest quality extra virgin oil.

On the other hand, some producers use high temperatures and chemicals which help them to extract more oil from the fruits. You can find them in stores labeled as “pure” or “light” oils.. Others process the oil excessively to lighten its colour while still a few mix a small percentage of extra virgin with other types of oil and market these products as extra virgin to take advantage of their high sale values and increasing demand.

Extracting oil immediately after harvest and without excessive processing promotes better tasting oils and retains most of the fruit’s nutrients. Several studies suggest that the plant antioxidants found in olives have anti inflammatory properties that fight cell damage.. Inflammation is said to be the leading cause of degenerative diseases including those arising from oxidative stress and certain cancers. The anti inflammatory action of the polyphenols found in olive oil is similar to that of ibuprofen, a widely used Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug or NSAID.

Another component called oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat abundant in olive oil, promotes heart and cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels. High heat, however, turns oleic acid into unhealthy fat which is why the temperature of the oil is monitored closely during processing.

Choosing the extra virgin brand

In Australia, members of the Australian Olive Association observe a Code of Practice which lays down strict criteria for oil production including taste and chemical tests to ensure the authenticity and quality of certified products that carry the “extra virgin” label. This also distinguishes Australian olive oil from imported products which may be adulterated oils.

With the premium price you pay for gourmet olive oil, buying only certified extra virgin products makes economic sense to get more value for your money.

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The olive is a member of the fruit family although it cannot be eaten straight from the tree. The flesh of the unprocessed fruit is tough and must undergo brining to make it palatable.

Fruit origin

From the Mediterranean countries where they were mainly grown, olives are now produced worldwide, particularly in countries that have warm summers and wet winters. Spain, which is still the world’s largest producer of olives, uses lye or caustic soda for curing and debittering the fruits. Health professionals suggest that when you buy olives, be cautious about choosing lye-treated fruits because this chemical is harmful to the human body and destroys most of the nutrients found in olives.

Harvest period

Timing is important in the harvest of olives. In Australia, for example, producers pick the fruits within a 6-week period which they refer to as the “window”, sometime between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Fruits that do not have bruises as well as mature ones are selected carefully for production.. A fruit that expresses some fluid at the stem end when it is squeezed is considered mature..

Debittering

The fruits are then washed immediately and submerged in cool water to remove dirt, debris and some of the bitter principles. After the fruits are washed, these are left in a container of salt water solution for brining. Brining not only removes the bitter taste of the fruit but also tenderises the flesh so that it does not have a woody texture.

The quality of the fruits also depends on the brining techniques used. The brining process must be monitored properly, making sure to maintain low temperatures and appropriate acidity levels.. Brining determines the final outcome of the fruits and and the best tasting ones are those that are not cured excessively..

When you buy olives, you should look for a crisp taste regardless of the colour of the fruit. Pitted olives are also sold as stuffed fruits containing spices like red peppers, lemon, garlic, and even anchovies, which make delicious appetizers..

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There are frozen items, canned items and long-lasting olive oils, truffle oils and other gourmand treats that may be shipped routinely and for a less expensive cost. There are some online shops that offer free or reduced price shipping to customers who spend a certain amount of money. If you make a decision to shop online for your Italian gastronome foods comparing products and prices from different web stores is a sensible concept. That way you can get the item or items you want at a price that you find reasonable.

So what kind of food items will you find in an Italian gourmet store? Aged balsamic vinegar is one top gourmet item. Some of the vinegars from Italy are more than 50 years old. Prosciutto de parma is a tasty connoisseur Italian ham also ordinarily sold. Italy sells fine cheeses from varied regions like Tuscany, Italian truffles and Italian truffle oils. Porcini mushrooms, gourmet pastas and Italian honey are a few more items you might come across. An Italian gourmet store is a veritable feast for the eyes, not to mention the stomach.

One of the most popular items when it comes to Italian gourmet food is Sottocenere Al Tartufo, a truffle infused cheese that is purely decadent. It is not always available, as truffles are not always available but sold fresh as they are harvested. There’s truffle infused butter, gourmet olive oil and fine seasonings like wine jelly and Italian sea salt. Then naturally there are Italian puddings like freshly baked woman fingers and tiramisu. The wide sector of Italian gourmet food is an epicure’s heaven as there are a great range of impossible to resist items from which you can select.

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