About Alicia

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After countless readings from food writers such as Elizabeth Gilbert, MFK Fisher, and Ruth Reichl, I learned how to write about food. Yet, after traveling through Italy all summer, I learned to appreciate food, and by doing so, I learned how to live again. I learned how to live by learning how to eat. I learned to appreciate the little things in life from the ground up. In Italy, life is centered around food. It is all about getting back to the basics. Walking to school. Reading a wrist watch. Holding an actual paper book. Writing with pen and paper. Americans have become lost in the techno-savvy and fast-paced society. We say it's hard for us to find "good, healthy food." It's not. It's just looking in the right places and having the curiosity and patience to rediscover food all over again. Italians eat food religiously. They dare not break the rules. Food revives one's body from the inside out. It's emotional and social. In order to renew one's heart and learn to live again, one must learn to eat - all of which starts with getting back to the basics.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Tasting Boutique Exposes Extra Virgin Olive Oil's Loss of Virginity


ATLANTA, Ga. - A new tasting boutique attracted locals and tourists and tested tasters' knowledge about the olive oil market.

Oli & Ve is a tasting boutique for Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. Suzanne Davidson, a co-owner of the tasting boutique, said she came across an oil and vinegar tasting boutique during one of her food frenzy travels and knew it was what she wanted to do. Just after meeting one time, Davidson and Deborah Harder became co-owners of this business which did so well in the first few months after it opened in Roswell, that they opened a second shop in Buckhead Monday.

"We work so well together," said Deborah. "I'm the realistic one in charge of everything operational. Suzanne is the creative one, the dreamer. For Suzanne, even the flowers on the center table have to match the season."

According to Oli & Ve’s website, "Our oils range from Single Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils to fused/infused Flavored Oils and a selection of Gourmet Oils. Our aged Balsalmics not only include the Traditional but also flavors such as Raspberry, Espresso, Pomegranate, Chocolate, Fig and Cranberry Pear among other."Tasters can taste the different oils with breads and the balsamic vinegars with vanilla ice cream. Oil & Ve also hosts events such as birthday parties, book clubs, bridal showers, etc. and also offers cooking classes which use their products.

Both Davidson and Hardee said they believe they consumers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegars have been lead astray in the food products. According to Hardee, there are not stringent rules in the production of Olive Oils and Vinegars. The industry has become quite "scandalous." Both owners encourage customers to taste, experiment, and even read about their products between the health benefits and even the "virginity of the scandalous..., a book available for purchase in the boutique.

"Products in grocery stores claim to be from Modena, Italy or Santotini, Greece, but they're not. Its not until you taste the real thing that you can recognize the difference " said Hardee.











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