Apollo Olive Oil: To your health

FOR CENTURES, OLIVE OIL HAS BEEN prized for its health benefits. It contains antioxidants and polyphenols, proven to
improve our health and longevity, according to the California Olive Oil Council.

Olive oil also is an important part of the state’s heritage. Olive trees were first brought over by Spanish missionaries. In the past decade, nearly 7.5 million trees have been planted on 12,500 acres. This year California’s olive oil production will exceed 1 million gallons for the first time.

Most of the state’s award-winning olive oils come from the foothills, where olive groves have long been established.

Apollo Olive Oil, in Yuba County, epitomizes these growers. Founder and co-owner Steven Dambeck planted his first 600 olive trees in 1979, on slopes adjacent to a fruit orchard in Oregon House.

With a motto “always turn better into best,” Apollo has been a pioneer of award- winning California olive oils. Among them: “Best U.S. Organic Olive Oil” in a prestigious international competition in Italy; “Best of Class” at the L.A. County Fair; and “Outstanding” by Food & Wine magazine.

Apollo’s olive oil is 100 percent first-crush, cold-pressed on the only mill in America designed to maximize flavor and health benefits. It is certified both organic and extra virgin.

The foothills producer makes three olive oils: Mistral, Sierra and Barouni. Mistral is an oil of great roundness. (We brush it on grilled salmon). Sierra compliments heartier dishes, and Barouni is known for its exotic overtones and rich pungency.

Apollo Oil is sold at stores including Newcastle Produce in Newcastle, BriarPatch Market in Grass Valley, and SPD Market and Nevada City Seafood in Grass Valley and Nevada City. It also is sold on the Internet at apollooliveoil.com.

“It’s the best olive oil I’ve ever tasted, and that’s saying something because I’ve tasted a whole lot,” says well-known cookbook author and chef Heidi Swanson of San Francisco.
Picknicking at Apollo’s bucolic orchards in Oregon House.