When you think of Italian extra virgin olive oil, you probably imagine silky drizzles on fresh bread or a finishing touch on a Tuscan salad.
But olive oil is more than a kitchen ingredient — it’s a cultural treasure, a natural remedy, and a surprisingly versatile tool.
No book captures this better than The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to Do with Olive Oil by Carol Firenze.
Why This Book Matters for Olive Oil Lovers
Carol Firenze is an olive oil sommelier, educator, and cultural storyteller.Her 272-page book (Penguin Random House) is part practical guide, part love letter to the olive tree. Firenze doesn’t just talk about cooking — she shows 101 creative ways to use olive oil in health, beauty, home care, and daily life.
Some surprising tips you’ll find inside:
• Soothe dry skin or remove makeup naturally
• Ease arthritis pain with gentle massage
• Polish leather bags, shoes, and even pearls
• Silence squeaky hinges or stuck zippers
• Condition wooden cutting boards and furniture
• Remove sticky labels from glass jars
• Calm a sore throat with a spoonful of olive oil
Firenze’s ideas are backed by history and science. She explains how olive oil has been treasured for thousands of years — from ancient Greece, where Athena offered the olive tree to humankind, to the Roman Empire, where oil symbolized power and prosperity.
A Personal Take
I’ve always believed that choosing the best Italian olive oil is about more than flavor; it’s about heritage and quality.
Reading this book inspired me to experiment: I massaged a drop of organic Tuscan extra virgin olive oil into an old leather bag strap. After half an hour and a gentle buff, the leather looked renewed — smooth and nourished.
It’s amazing to think the same oil that elevates a caprese salad can also restore leather or soothe the skin.
Why Olive Oil Quality Matters
Many of Firenze’s tips work best with high-quality extra virgin olive oil — exactly what we promote here.
A true extra virgin oil is cold-pressed, chemical-free, and rich in polyphenols. Those antioxidants protect your health and give the oil its signature peppery finish and fruity aroma.
If you’re investing in premium Italian olive oil, why not get the most from it? Use it in your kitchen, in your wellness routine, and even around your home — exactly as Firenze encourages.
What Makes the Book Special
• Easy to read: Short sections, clear explanations, and charming anecdotes.
• Expert voice: Firenze holds an Olive Oil Consultant Certificate and has served on the California Olive Oil Council board.
• Cultural depth: From Biblical mentions to Olympic traditions, you’ll rediscover olive oil’s symbolic power.
• Practical creativity: Each tip feels doable, inspiring readers to bring olive oil into everyday life.
Where to Find The Passionate Olive
You can explore more about the book at thepassionateolive.com or purchase it through major retailers such as Penguin Random House or Amazon.