THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Gordon Ramsay is a 3 Michelin starred chef. That is impressive. Even more remarkable is his energy. I can't think of another person with as many irons in the fire. He's everywhere. It's astonishing, but it also requires constant self-promotion and hype. Krude is the latest endeavor to get Ramsayfied and it is slick. Oil slick!
Krude was co-founded with husband and wife entrepreneurs Ben and Elle Caring, co-owners of premium beverage brand Lady A. (Ben is the son of Richard Caring, known as the 'King of Mayfair' for his acquisition, development and latterly majority-share-sale of a huge portfolio of top restaurants and clubs including The Ivy, Le Caprice and Annabel's.) It was created to redefine and rethink olive oil. In reality, it's good quality extra virgin olive oil, beautifully packaged, with Gordon Ramsay's name on it.
For reviewing purposes, I was sent all that Krude has to offer and, in Ramsay style, it is impressive. A big olive green gift box filled with 500 ml each of "cook me" oil and spray, 500 ml "finish me" and 250 ml each of basil, lemon, chilli and garlic infused oil. Included is a small collection of simple, but nonetheless intriguing recipes. The cooking oils are made with Picual olives which can withstand higher heat before losing quality. The rest, meant to be eaten raw, are made with Arbequina olives, known for its more delicate flavor. Buttery, with a hit of pepper at the finish. The whole package, retailing at £141, is currently on offer for £121. At £48.40 per liter, that's a better investment than Brent Crude! It certainly redefines olive oil.
Bottling olive oil in tins is nothing new. It shields it from arch enemies light and oxygen, which lead to degradation. It's the best way to retain not only the taste, but the healthy properties as well. Polyphenols. The antioxidants known for lowering cholesterol and thus, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. I'll take 2!!! Arbequina olive oil isn't the best source of polyphenols but still has a fair amount. It is certainly a healthier alternative to butter. Damn!
The infused oils are delicious. With all this talk about health, I'm mad to drizzle them all over a big fat pizza! They'd be perfect. You could however, perk up just about any dish with a dash. chilli and garlic are my favorites but the basil and lemon come a close second.
Olives trace all the way back to the Neolithic age when humans first started cultivating crops and the first olive oil dates from 6000 BCE. It's been used for food, cosmetics, medicine and fuel. Today, Spain is the largest producer of olive oil, garnering nearly 50% of the world market, with Tunisia second, followed by Italy, Turkey and Greece. Krude is produced from a single source in Spain and of course, mechanically cold-pressed without the use of additives.
Quality: yes. Taste: check. A beautiful gift for a foodie friend: absolutely! Price: a little OTT. But then again, so is Gordon!
