Until a few years ago, we had never been to an olive oil/balsamic vinegar store. We were pretty happy with the extra virgin olive oil we found in the grocery store or at Sam’s Club and Vince was doing a good job of finding lots of balsamic vinegars at T. J. Maxx. Then someone told us about a store in Kansas City that sold all kinds of high quality olive oils and naturally flavored balsamic vinegars. We left that store with several olive oils and quite a few more balsamic vinegars. We love putting flavored balsamic and olive oils on our salads, or on fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and basil, or my favorite use for balsamic . . over Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream!
So . . we were hooked. Every time we’d go to Kansas City, we’d go by The Tasteful Olive and buy a few more flavors and then . . we moved to Texas. I figured there had to be an olive oil/balsamic store in Austin or Fort Worth but we haven’t been to those places yet and we have been out of good balsamic for months!
Last week, just as we were leaving San Saba, Texas, Vince said “Did you see that?” Hmm . . I don’t know! What was it? Vince said “That sign said San Saba Olive Oil Company! Do you think they have olive oil and balsamic?” Honestly, I thought it was probably just an old sign that we had never noticed before but it was worth turning around and going back to see so we did and I am so glad we did.
I should have paid more attention since I’m writing a blog post about it (guess I’ll never have a future as a reporter!) but I’m guessing they had 20 – 25 flavors of balsamic and about the same of olive oil. We came home with pomegranate and brown fig balsamic. I loved the pineapple and raspberry too but Vince said “Let’s just get two . . we’ll be back.” And, we will be back.
The owners, James and Linda Brozo, were so nice and helpful. Linda even makes the bread that’s in there for the tasting stations.
We love San Saba and we are so lucky to have such a neat shop so close to us. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by there. Those oils and vinegars surely do make nice gifts . . especially if I’m on your gift list! 🙂
Denise in PA says
Yum! We bought some fig balsamic last time we were at our olive oil store. I was so excited to find it too! The shop is run by a young couple who were at a similar shop in Chicago while there at a wedding and came home and started their own. I love going there!
Debbie says
How fun! There is a similar shop in Cocoa Beach, Florida. It is called Olive and Grapes. We always visit when we go to my mother-in-law’s. Since I’m going in November I guess I’ll put that on my “hot list” of places to go. Okay, I was planning on it but this post reminded me that I must go for sure!
I love tasting the oils and the vinegars. It is so much fun.
Becky G says
Oh i love fig balsamic. My older sister first introduced us to it. I just recently used in a recipe with orange juice contentrate & lemon on a salad with cold julienne roasted beets, goat cheese, and maple syrup candied toasted walnuts over baby greens. Yum… It was a hit. I’ll have to find a specialty store around here & see what they have. I am happy when i can shop in stores who are run by their owners. Thanks!
Becky G says
Oops, of course the salad dressing included a nice olive oil!
Mary C in WA says
Olive oil on Ice Cream Sorry, Not for me… I like to cook with my Olive oil and a little BUTTER.
JudyL says
Balsamic on ice cream — not olive oil on ice cream.
Diana in RR Texas says
Just looked to see where it was. Have it on my list for the next timde we are close to San Saba. Are you going to the San Saba River Pecan Jam on Oct. 20th? Wish we werem going to be in town then but still in PA!
http://www.pecanjam.com/
jean says
Judy, theres also a shop in Abilene, it is in the River Oaks shopping center on South 14th street.