WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – Walnut Creek just got a new stop for food lovers who like to cook (or gift) with the good stuff.
Some of them, apparently, even love to slather it on their bodies!
The “good stuff” in this case is olive oil. And the store is Verde Gourmet, which just opened in downtown Walnut Creek at 1372 N. Main Street.
Verde Gourmet is focused on premium extra virgin olive oils (including early-harvest styles highlighted in its opening announcements), along with a curated lineup of Mediterranean goods.
The shop describes itself as a destination for high-polyphenol olive oils and olives, plus specialty vinegars, spices, and house-made dips and spreads.
There are even olive oil soaps and cleaners, olive wood items, and a tiny olive tree in a planter inside the store!
I stopped by while leading a photography hike group in downtown Walnut Creek. The store is lovely inside, and they have nice, crusty bread for you to sample oils and olive-based spreads.
Of course, you can try some actual olives, too!
Verde Gourmet’s oils come from all over the world. That includes traditional olive oil growing regions like Italy and Spain, but also more unusual ones, like Peru.
Asked which country has the best oils, Verde’s owner said that she was Turkish, so of course it had to be Turkey. But she said Spanish oils are excellent and very popular. And of course there are lots of amazing oils produced right here in California.
If you like excellent oil–or you need a really nice gift for the gourmet cook in your life–stop in and get some oil.
