O-Med Smoked Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 250ml

O-Med Smoked Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil is cold-pressed Arbequina oil from Granada, Spain, gently infused with smoke from the mill's own leftover olive stones. At O-Med's grove in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, 2,300 feet up, the family burns spent olive pits to power around 40% of the mill's energy, then passes only the first, freshest wisps of that smoke over the oil. The result is sweet and elegant, with a delicate touch of vanilla and caramel - a world away from liquid smoke.

A little goes a long way. Warm a spoonful through a bowl of squash soup, whisk into mayonnaise for a smoky aioli to serve alongside chargrilled chicken, or drizzle over burrata and grilled peaches for a starter that needs almost no effort. It's especially good finishing barbecued or roasted vegetables - sweetcorn, aubergine and peppers all take beautifully to that gentle caramel smokiness - and makes a lovely alternative to smoked paprika when you want warmth without heat.

Why we love it:

• Made by O-Med, a family-run mill in Granada, growing Arbequina olives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at 2,300 feet
  
• The smoke comes from the mill's own leftover olive stones, burned to generate around 40% of its energy, so nothing from the harvest goes to waste
  
• Only the first, freshest wisps of smoke are passed over the oil, giving a sweet, elegant character rather than an acrid or bonfire-like one
  
• Genuinely different from liquid smoke: this is real olive-stone smoke, infused directly into cold-pressed Arbequina extra virgin olive oil
  
• Delicate notes of vanilla and caramel sit alongside the round, buttery character of Arbequina oil

How to use:

• Whisk 2 tbsp into 200g mayonnaise for a smoky aioli, then serve alongside chargrilled chicken or a bowl of chips
  
• Drizzle 1-2 tsp over burrata, goat's cheese or scrambled eggs just before serving, so the smoke aroma stays bright
  
• Finish roasted or barbecued vegetables - sweetcorn, aubergine, peppers - with a generous drizzle straight from the bottle
• Use in place of smoked paprika in stews, soups or spice rubs when you want warmth without added heat
  

More information:

• O-Med is a family-run mill in Granada, Spain, growing Arbequina olives on the flanks of the Sierra Nevada mountains
  
• 250ml bottle
  
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans; naturally gluten-free
  
• Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, use within a few months and keep the cap tightly closed
  
• Allergens: NONE
  
• Ingredients: Arbequina extra virgin olive oil (100%), smoked with olive pits