Oil’s well at the Olive Ranch

A University of California-Davis olive oil report last year found unpleasant fusty and musty tastes in 86 percent of all imported olive oils. It makes you stop and think what you should be buying. California Olive Ranch is the first reasonably priced line of domestically produced olive oil, made from Spanish and Italian olives grown and pressed in California. You can buy blends and single-varietal oils ($8 to $12 for 16.9 ounces); each type varies in flavor and function. Arbequina is fruity, recommended for pesto; Arbosana is more astringent and is suggested for soups. Both have a peppery finish, though less so than “Everyday California,’’ which the company extols for baking. Olive Ranch claims that fruit is picked, pressed, and bottled within four hours and it can identify which employee filled a particular bottle. Traceability and sustainability play heavily in the branding. The oil’s flavor attests to its quality. California Olive Ranch “Everyday California’’ oil available at Market Basket, Big Y, and Price Chopper locations. “Everyday California,’’ Arbequina, “Miller’s Blend,’’ and Arbosana available at Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, and Hannaford locations.