- November 29, 2024
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The shiny, barrel-shaped bottles, called fustis, stand in rows along the walls and tables in the new shop in Granada Plaza. The vessels contain more flavors of olive oil and vinegar than you might think exist.
The Ormond Beach Olive Oil Company, 203 E. Granada Blvd., opened about a month ago, bringing a trend to town that has been popular in Europe for decades and has started to take hold in the United States the last few years.
“Ormond Beach needs something like this.”
Eileen Shoemaker, of Ormond Beach
For those unfamiliar with this type of store, the variety of olive oils and vinegars are a wondrous sight. But there’s no need to be intimidated, because owner Greg Jensen and staff will gladly introduce you to this healthy and tasty world. All of the olive oils and vinegars can be tasted before purchase.
“It’s growing in our country,” Jensen said. “People are realizing the health benefits of ultra virgin olive oil.”
The bottles are well-labeled with the uses for the oils and vinegars, and there’s a chart on the wall that shows which mix well together.
Olive Oils and vinegars are used by themselves and in combinations for a variety of uses. They are drizzled on salads, vegetables and fruit; added to soups and cheeses; and used on pasta, seafood and meat. There’s even a variety that can be used in place of butter.
Jensen says he uses olive oil on popcorn.
“The taste is out of this world,” he said.
When he cooks steak, he uses a maple-flavored olive oil as a marinade.
The uses are only limited by the imagination. For example, this reporter was convinced of the versatility when Jensen poured a mixture of vinegar and olive oil over vanilla ice cream, making it taste like a Creamsicle. He said he can also make one that tastes like a pina colada.
“You can do anything with it,” Jensen said.
The customer traffic was steady on a recent morning, even though he hasn’t advertised.
Connie Rice, who lives nearby, said she had stopped in to buy a gift for a neighbor.
“These stores are very popular in other areas but I haven’t seen them in this area,” she said.
Eileen Shoemaker, of Ormond Beach, said she visited because she’s a “foodie.”
“Ormond Beach needs something like this,” she said. “A lot of people in Ormond Beach like to cook.”
Jensen said several shoppers have indicated they are buying gifts.
“They look around and say, ‘I know what I’m giving for Christmas,” he said.
Jensen grew up in Ormond Beach and spent 20 years in the hospitality industry, much of it managing restaurants. He was living in North Carolina when he saw an olive oil store and became intrigued. He and his dad, Gary, traveled to California to visit the supplier, and decided to start their own business.
“Dad asked where I wanted to open a store, and I said, ‘I want to go back to the beach,’” Jensen said.
He said the location in the mall has been great. There are visitors from all over the United States who are staying in nearby motels, and locals walking around after having a meal in the plaza or shopping.
Jensen said his supplier has facilities where the olives are grown, and they are pressed two and a half hours after being picked. Olives are grown all over the world, depending on the season.
Jenson said he enjoys educating people about the oils.
“We’re helping people get healthier,” he said.
The store also sells handmade pasta and chocolates and beauty products made from the olive oils.
Call 333-9236, find them on Facebook at Ormond Beach Olive Oil Company or visit ormondbeacholiveoil.com.
