The Oil Tree
When my husband and I visited Italy several years back, we came home with a love for peach gelato, pasta pomodoro and good olive oil. We did an olive oil tasting at a small producer just outside of Florence and our eyes were opened to the truth that not all oils are created equal. So, after our coveted bottle of olive oil that we toted home dripped its last drop, we went on the search for something that had more depth than what we could find on the grocery store shelf. And that is what brought me into The Oil Tree for the first time.
You walk in to containers upon containers of different olive oils and specialty
vinegars – that they encourage you to taste-test, and you definitely should. It is like trick-or-treating for the food lover! In addition to the oils and vinegars, there is also a wide variety of artisan spices, pastas, cooking tools and tools.
The shop always feels welcoming to me, and, after getting to chat with co-owner Maggie Kite, I can see that spirit is the extension of the people who run it, Maggie and her husband Rane Peterson. And when I think about it, it totally makes sense. People who love to gather around the table and share life with friends and family would create a place for others to come, experience and explore different tools to welcome people into their own homes.
Business Name: The Oil Tree
Location: 7646 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City
Your Names: Maggie Peterson (me), Rane Peterson (husband), Bandel Kite (bro), Taylor Goode (one of our longtime team members)
Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
We are a happy bunch of health nuts and food lovers. We love flavor and we love helping people discover new flavors and products made by small family businesses around the state, country and globe – like ours.
What was the heart behind opening The Oil Tree?
Throughout the years our family has developed close relationships with many small-batch producers from the east and west coasts. After discovering the fraud and lack of “truth in labeling” in the U.S. food industry, I knew we had to do something. My husband, Rane, was raised in and around his family’s restaurants and retail businesses in North Conway, New Hampshire. His involvement with Zeb’s General Store, known nationally as one of the premier purveyors of goods made in New England, helped cement his devotion to the specialty food industry. Rane and I developed a knowledge and appreciation of gourmet and hand-crafted foods at a young age. This appreciation of not only the product, but also the producer, has led to a lifelong passion. The Oil Tree’s focus is on the makers; sharing their stories, struggles and triumphs while educating the public on “truth in labeling” and bringing customers quality, artisan goods.
How many different types of oils & vinegars do you carry?
We have more than 50 oils and vinegars combined! We rotate flavors seasonally; it’s always fun to see the new options! We also have a few of our own house blends; Garlic Herb Truffle Butter has quickly become our most popular.
Aside from oils and vinegars, what other types of products do you have in the shop?
Cookware, Serveware, cookbooks, specialty foods (wide array).
How do you source your products?
We source almost all of the products directly from the producers. At this time, we are working with over 60 makers. It’s always exciting to hear about awards they’ve won in the specialty food industry. Of course, not all news is good news; which brings everything back to reality. Business is business, but creating relationships and connecting with genuine people who go through the same struggles as you and I, makes their product more than just a SKU, it’s an extension of themselves and everything they believe in.
What is your current favorite product?
Oh boy, not sure I can answer this question. I can tell you the product I use multiple times per day, Habanero Maple Pepper! Salt, pepper, habanero, and maple sugar. This product completes me; I carry it in my purse.
What is the difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the highest quality olive oil with no flaws and obtained solely by mechanical means, not heated. Extra virgin olive oil is full of wonderful flavor notes; creamy artichoke, dandelion greens, green almond, and so many more. The oil is alive, not waxy. Just remember it doesn’t stay that way, it doesn’t get better with age like wine. We recommend switching to a fresh harvest extra virgin once 15 months has passed from crush date.
Regular olive oil is flawed, offering absolutely no health benefit. In some cases, flavor and color are added into the oil.
Does the region/country change the taste of the oil?
Climate, soil, region – all impact flavor and intensity of extra virgin olive oil. Although, like a nice Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, extra virgin olive oil varietals stay true to their flavor profile. There may be slight differences depending on the season and region.
What is the shelf life of an olive oil?
It’s pretty short - 12 to 15 months from crush date. Newly-crushed olive oils are full of health benefits and those benefits dissipate over time. There are two harvest per year, Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere harvests. We always bring in the freshest extra virgin olive oils. Once the olives are picked and crushed they are chemically and sensory analyzed. Everything you need to know about the quality is broken down chemically: free fatty acid (FFA), oleic acid, biophenols, and more. The sensory side tells you: fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency.
Each varietal has a different flavor profile, much like wine. The varietals also have different intensities, much like coffee. They are really fun to use on all types of food. One of my favorite ways to use a strong (Robust) extra virgin olive oil is over a tomato mozzarella salad with a sprinkle of sea salt. A simple dish with so much complexity. Another way is as a finishing drizzle over roasted root vegetables. It’s beautiful how these can transform a meal.
What are some ways we can use oils and vinegars aside from the traditional cooking methods?
Health! Consuming a fresh, high polyphenol, extra virgin olive oil is like medicine in itself. If we have a headache, we will take a shot of high polyphenol extra virgin – oleocathal is the same compound found in ibuprofen – it’s an all-natural cure all. Balsamic vinegar is an all-natural salt alternative and appetite suppressant. It contains probiotics, polyphenols, and has been shown to help regulate blood sugar.
One thing that I didn’t realize until I came and visited you was that you are a family business. Who all is involved?
My mom and dad usually come by the shop every day. My mom is a big organizer and loves helping customers discover new flavors and ideas. My dad likes to jump in and help with anything! My brother, Bandel, is the creator of the infamous “Garlic Herb Truffle Butter.” And we all love to “geek out” with spreadsheets. The other team members quickly become part of the family. There’s a lot of emotion and heart that goes into a day with a family business and we are all a part of it.
I am so thankful that Oklahoma City has such a special shop. Thank you for providing that for us Maggie & Rane!
