Pompeian is one of the USA’s most popular and best-selling olive oil producers. Olive oils can be confusing for novices.
There’s robust and smooth olive oil, for example. When it comes to Pompeian Olive Oil Smooth vs Robust, what’s the difference? And does it matter?
This article will teach you whether to choose smooth or robust olive oil for your cooking.
Pompeian Olive Oil
Pompeian olive oil is popular because it offers people a chance to buy extra virgin olive oil for a very reasonable price. It’s not fancy, and you wouldn’t call it artisanal, but it’s good enough for everyday cooking.
Pompeian has been around since 1906 and is a company with tradition and pride. According to Pompeian, they can trace back where the olives used to make the olive oil in every bottle came from.
The company sees olive oil as its calling and doesn’t hide its passion.
Pompeian Olive Oil Smooth
Let’s look at Pompeian’s smooth olive oil. As the name suggests, the taste of this olive oil is not quite as strong as that of other olive oils.
This makes Pompeian’s smooth olive oil perfect for:
- Sauteing
- Making lovely sauces
- stir-frying
Pompeian Olive Oil Robust
On the other hand, we have Pompeian’s robust olive oil. You may already have guessed it: the robust olive oil has a stronger flavor.
Because of its strong flavor, Pompeian’s robust olive oil is best for:
- Pasta
- Salad dressings
- marinades
- dipping
Can You Cook With Pompeian Robust Olive Oil?
Yes, you can – if you prefer the stronger taste. If you prefer olive oil to have a more subtle influence on your food’s flavors, you should use smooth olive oil.
Pompeian has some nice recipes that use robust olive oil, so you should check their website for ideas. I like their Heirloom tomato and grilled halloumi panzanella salad (this uses robust olive oil).
Is Pompeian Olive Oil Fake?
Unfortunately, the high price of extra virgin olive oils has led to a rise in “fake” EVOOs.
Pompeian EVOO isn’t very expensive, so is it fake?
Good news: it isn’t. While Pompeian olive oils aren’t the top of the range and not artisanal, they are genuine EVOOs.
Where Is Pompeian Olive Oil Made?
While Pompeian olive oils are sold in the USA, they are actually an imported product.
The olive trees from which the olives for this oil are harvested grow in Spain and are taken care of by a Spanish farmer family.
Is Smooth Or Robust Olive Oil Better?
Neither of them is better than the other as such – it’s just that smooth olive oil is better for frying than robust olive oil. And robust olive oil is a lot better for tasty salad dressings.
Each olive oil has its strengths, and they both are of good quality. When you want an answer to which one is better for you, you first need to decide on what you mainly use olive oil for.
Final Thoughts
Pompeian brings affordable EVOOs to the average consumer. It’s nice that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a reasonably good extra virgin olive oil.
Just keep in mind that smooth olive oil is subtler, and robust olive oil has a full-bodied, strong flavor.
