WOOO ladies celebrating the many gifts of the olive tree
Dee Berisha
Most visitors or new transplants to Arizona would be skeptical when hearing talk of the existence of an Arizona olive oil mill, thinking that the olives would have to be imported from Greece or possibly Italy. So, like the baseball diamond in the middle of an Iowa cornfield, “If you build it, they will come,” Queen Creek Olive Mill was built, and the WOOO (Women On Our Own) Day Trippers came for a visit.
Queen Creek Olive Mill sits on 100 acres of flourishing olive trees southeast of Phoenix. The olive grove hosts over 16 different varieties of olives, and the farming techniques strictly adhere to sustainable agricultural practices. Owner and sommelier Perry Rea began growing the olive trees approximately 12 years ago, and the result, through the on-site milling process, is the creation of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) and virgin olive oils and a multitude of infused flavors.
Upon arriving, the WOOO ladies attended a small class entitled Olive Oil 101, or From Blossom to Bottle, which took place in the milling room. Blind tasting different types of EVOO allowed us to practice identifying the oils, as well as the desired uses for each flavor, which varied from mild to robust. After the 45-minute class, lunch was enjoyed under the shade of olive trees in a park-like setting. We had pre-ordered our lunch choices from several varieties of sandwiches, chopped salads, slaws, and cupcakes, each choice with the understanding that a Queen Creek EVOO was used in each preparation.
This wonderful Day Trip was topped off by a visit to the Marketplace where everything olive oil was in abundant display. The special of the month, a pairing of jalapeño olive oil with prickly pear white balsamic reduction, was a hit with several of the WOOO ladies anxious to use it on salads or for dipping. Infused oils with fig, basil, lemon, many varieties of peppers, and even chocolate and pizza flavored oils were each available to sample prior to any purchase. Pastas, marmalades, sauces, breads, cookbooks, etc., made browsing fun, with unexpected finds in each aisle.
With purchases in hand, we headed back to SaddleBrooke with promises to return again with other WOOOers to share this wonderful find.
Women On Our Own is an organization in SaddleBrooke for single women who are not in a committed relationship. Our dues are $10 a year, and our activities are varied and numerous. For more information or to ask for a membership form, please contact our president Brenda McBride at [email protected] or call 267-968-3894.