Shared experiences may be one of the most important things employees can experience at work.
Whenever a group of workers is pulled together to learn something new, it’s also a chance to foster interesting communication, create better teamwork, and build connection.
While there are many ways to create shared experiences among teams or companies, an unconventional—but effective—option is olive oil tasting.
Read on to learn more about what it is, how it ties into shared experiences, and how to implement it as a fun experience in your workplace.
Why Olive Oil?
Olive oil has been the backbone of Mediterranean meals for thousands of years. In the U.S., sales of olive oil have tripled since the 1980s when a series of medical reports lauded olive oil for its health benefits, such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Now, olive oil is a common staple in many consumer’s pantries.
Yet, with over 600 olive tree species and numerous regional and production techniques influencing the taste of olive oil, it can be difficult to communicate the wide varieties of olive oil tastes available.
Unlike wine, color is generally not an indicator of taste. Use cases for olive oil varieties vary greatly from dipping bread, to salad dressing, to cooking.
Further, despite the rapidly increasing popularity of olive oil, according to a 2013 UC Davis Olive Center research report, much of the product sold in grocery stores is rancid (past its prime).
With so many choices and no common language to express different palatal experiences, even the bad ones, olive oil enthusiasts are left to chance when on their own.
How Olive Oil-Tasting Can Benefit Your Team
Coming together to share an olive oil-tasting experience in real time and building a common vocabulary to describe the experience is a reliable way for teams to bond.
According to Harvard Business Review (HBR), one solution to communication challenges and incomplete information is developing a shared mindset among employees. This can be accomplished by cultivating a common identity and shared understanding.
Virtual olive oil tastings offer teams a way to celebrate together while providing a lasting impact. Teams “swirl, sniff, slurp, and swallow” carefully curated olive oils and discuss words to describe the tastes.
While tasting the olive oils, teams learn what it means to classify as an extra virgin olive oil (“EVOO”), versus olive oil that does not meet the standards of EVOO but may have enhanced health benefits and be more suitable for cooking.
Armed with this vocabulary, teams will enjoy learning about olive oil together and forming enduring memories of a fun hour with colleagues trying something new.
Read more about the Sciabica Family California Olive Oil.
The Importance of Shared Experiences
Shared experiences are a huge boon for employees when learning something new.
Communicating with the people around them lets new concepts reach the brain. It can also be an excellent method of learning from team members.
Continuous team learning can connect real work tasks with new processes and ideas.
Olive oil tasting is one example of the fun that can be woven into team experiences while also improving motivation among the group.
Joining an olive oil tasting lets companies work on their values while also experiencing the colors, textures, flavors, and aromas of a high-quality culinary product. This is not to mention the many health benefits of olive oil, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Plus, almost everyone has a basic knowledge of olive oil. Most people have some tucked away in a pantry or cabinet.
How to Taste Olive Oil
With a variety of choices and little common language to express the taste of olive oil, those who love it are often left to experience it on their own.
Bringing a virtual team together for olive oil tasting can be an exciting experience. Team members can build a vocabulary together while bonding over the taste of several types of olive oil.
Once a team is brought together for a tasting, there are several steps involved in the tasting process. Each of them is listed below to make the experience simple and fun.
- Pour the oil: Pour one to two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a wineglass with a stem.
- Swirl the glass: Once the oil is in the glass, cup the glass in your hands. Gently swirl it around so the aroma releases into the surrounding area.
- Breathe in the aroma: Inhale deeply and think about the scents that waft into your nostrils.
- Slurp the oil: Inhale deeply while slurping a mouthful of olive oil, then exhale slowly through your nose to fully experience its flavor profile.
- Swallow the oil: Consider the different aspects of the flavor as you swallow the olive oil.
- Reflect on the oil: Take some time to think about your opinions in terms of various categories. A few to consider include pungency, fruitiness, and bitterness.
- Cleanse the palate: Give yourself a few moments to cleanse your palate between each olive oil tasting. Try refreshing your mouth with a cube of plain bread or a small section of a Granny Smith apple.
Once you’ve completed these steps, return to step one and start with new olive oil until you’ve tried each.
What to Eat with Your Olive Oil Tasting
In addition to the oil, any olive oil tasting should also include food.
Consider a DIY bar with goat cheese and ricotta, spreads and tapenades, dried fruits, and roasted vegetables. Charcuterie and cheese and a simple salad may be all you need.
If you prefer to be more extensive with the foods served, consider soup, bruschetta, pasta, meats, and potatoes. You could even take things up a notch with sweet foods like ice cream, pudding, or other desserts.
The whole group can see how olive oil can transform the taste of a dish and make it truly shine. Once the tasting is done, the team might even have a new bond to bring into the workplace.
Ready to Embark on a Shared Experience?
If this sounds like something your team would enjoy, consider Teamraderie’s Olive Oil team experience.
This live, virtual workshop is led by a Certified Master Sensory Evaluator of Olive Oil. Your team will have the opportunity to sample different types of oil while learning about its creation.
Click here to learn more about this experience and how it can benefit your team.
