Launching his own brand range using Greek olives, Mazen (pictured at an olive farm) says it's important to use good quality extra virgin olive oil quickly, and to protect it from heat, light and chemicals which can alter the flavour.
Greek brand Odysea's Good for You Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for example, is packed with polyphenols, containing a minimum 250mg per kilo of olive oil.
Terra Di Bari Castel Del Monte Extra Virgin Olive Oil, £5.59 (500ml)] Each sample was served in a small plastic glass, with Mazen warming each of the oils on his palm before trying them, saying ‘it’s like swirling a wine to help get the aromas going…’.
'It reflects an increasing understanding that a cold extracted early harvest olive oil rich in polyphenols is a totally different product from a supermarket olive oil, which is often an anonymous blend produced with the aim of lowering its cost.'.
SAMPLE 2: Odysea Kew Limited Edition Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil Price: £22 (500ml), odysea.com.
