Ciccolella Collection – Trio of extra virgin olive oils

Three faces of Ciccolella in one collection

This collection shows in one go why we became so enthusiastic about Ciccolella. Not because the three oils taste alike, but precisely because they are so different.

Faresse is smooth and elegant. Zurlo sits exactly between finesse and power. Coppadoro then takes the brakes off completely with the pronounced bitterness and pepperiness of Coratina.

Three bottles from Puglia that are not only excellent for cooking, but also show just how much olive variety and blending influence the flavour of extra virgin olive oil.

Faresse is made from 100% Ogliarola Barese and shows the gentle side of Puglia. A delicate olive oil with aromas of almond, banana and yellow apple.

Bitterness and pepperiness remain deliberately in the background. That makes Faresse ideal with fish, salads, vegetables, light pasta and dishes where olive oil should add refinement without overpowering the other flavours.

This is the bottle with which to start your Ciccolella tasting gently.

Zurlo combines Coratina and Ogliarola Barese, bringing together the strength of one olive variety and the elegance of the other.

The oil is fruity and fresh, with almond and vegetal notes and a beautiful balance of bitterness and pepperiness. More character than Faresse, but clearly more approachable than the pure Coratina of Coppadoro.

Perhaps the most versatile of the three – and therefore the perfect second step in the tasting.

And then there is Coppadoro. 100% Coratina and certainly not planning to quietly disappear into the background. Intensely green, bitter and peppery, with aromas of freshly cut grass, almond and artichoke.

This is the powerhouse of the collection. Superb with bread, bruschetta, pasta, grilled vegetables, hearty soups and meat – or simply tasted on its own when you want to experience just how expressive a top-quality Coratina can be.

Save it until last in a tasting. After Coppadoro, going back to Faresse becomes considerably harder.

The most enjoyable way to discover this collection is to taste all three oils side by side. Start with Faresse, continue with Zurlo and finish with Coppadoro.

The intensity then builds gradually, making it especially easy to experience the change in character: from smooth and fruity to balanced and finally powerful, bitter and peppery.

So there is no average flavour profile for this collection. The difference itself is the profile.

The fun of having three different olive oils at home is that you quickly start cooking differently. Faresse with fish, Zurlo over pasta and Coppadoro with bruschetta or grilled vegetables.

And sometimes you simply put all three on the table. Add good bread and let everyone choose. Warning: the conversation about olive oil may then last considerably longer than planned.

Because three oils tell more than one

Taste only Coppadoro and you discover how powerful Coratina can be. Taste only Faresse and you discover how elegant Ogliarola Barese can be. Add Zurlo and the story suddenly becomes complete.

The three bottles show what happens when a producer uses different olive varieties separately and also combines them. That makes this collection much more than simply three good bottles of olive oil.

It is essentially a small Puglia masterclass that happens to taste exceptionally good.

The Ciccolella Collection also makes a special gift for an enthusiastic home cook or lover of Italian food and olive oil.

Not three versions of roughly the same thing, but three clearly different oils that let the recipient discover which style suits them best.

Our introduction to Ciccolella began years ago with Coppadoro. That powerful Coratina made such an impression that the oil stayed in our minds, even though we did not add it to the range at the time.

When we tasted Coppadoro again years later, we knew the time had come. And once we became enthusiastic about that one oil, naturally we wanted to discover what else Ciccolella could do.

That eventually led to Faresse and Zurlo – and now to this complete Ciccolella Collection. Sometimes a good discovery simply takes a little longer.

View the three Ciccolella oils separately or discover more about Italian extra virgin olive oil.