Olive Oil - This Week’s Unexpected Flavour Star!

Welcome to this week's edition of GRATE!

As spring settles in and lighter meals take centre stage, one ingredient keeps popping up across new product launches: olive oil. Long valued for its health benefits and flavour, it’s now being used in more creative ways than ever—from crisps fried in extra virgin olive oil to hummus blends and pastry products. 

In this week’s newsletter, I’m highlighting five products that are putting olive oil front and centre, showing how this pantry essential is being reimagined across categories. Whether it’s adding depth, richness or a clean finish, these launches prove olive oil is having a moment—and it’s one worth paying attention to.

As always, enjoy the read, 

Annie x

PS - Next week, on 13th and 14th May, I am delighted to be chairing a number of innovation panels at Food Matters Live in Manchester.

If you planning to be there, Let me know, I’d love to catch up!

ITHACA X GRAZA HUMMUS

The Ithaca x Graza Hummus collab brings together two cult-favourite brands in one smart, flavour-packed product. Known for their ultra-fresh, cold-crafted dips, Ithaca has teamed up with Graza—makers of high-quality Spanish extra virgin olive oil—to create a hummus that’s smooth, vibrant, and layered with richness. The result is a clean-label dip where the olive oil isn’t just an ingredient—it’s a key flavour feature, elevating the hummus from everyday to exceptional. It’s a great example of how strategic brand collaborations can bring new energy to core categories.

M&S EVOO CRISPS

M&S’s Collection Extra Virgin Olive Oil Crisps are a brilliant example of how a humble snack can be transformed with premium ingredients. Fried in 100% Spanish extra virgin olive oil, they deliver a clean, delicate crunch that puts the focus on flavour. Alongside the Unsalted, the range includes standout options like Serrano Ham, and - my personal favourite -Black Truffle. It’s a crisp collection that proves olive oil isn’t just for cooking, it’s a category upgrade!

FOCACCIATA SANDWICH BREAD

Panelto Foods is shaking up the bread aisle with its innovative new Focaccia Sandwich Bread—a refreshing change from the usual rolls and baguettes. Made with authentic olive oil, this soft, flavourful bread comes in two varieties: Rosemary & Sea Salt and Olive, both delivering a light, airy texture and incredible flavour. It’s designed for convenience too—just heat in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 180°C for a warm, bakery-quality sandwich base that transforms everyday lunches.

WILDGOOD EVOO ICE-CREAM

TikTok’s latest dessert trend—vanilla ice cream topped with extra virgin olive oil and flaky sea salt—has gone viral for its surprising yet delicious flavour contrast. Loved by celebs like Dua Lipa, it blends sweet, savoury, and creamy notes into a gourmet treat. Brands like Wildgood are tapping in with vegan, olive oil–based ice creams that offer indulgence without dairy. Founded by Greek ice cream artisan Sotiris Tsichlopoulos, it blends Mediterranean tradition with modern innovation by crafting plant-based frozen desserts using extra virgin olive oil sourced from his family's groves in Greece.

PASTRY RANGE MADE WITH OLIVE OIL

Europastry’s Olive range is a smart, forward-thinking twist on traditional pastries—made using 100% olive oil instead of saturated animal fats or palm oil. Developed in partnership with startup Healthy Food Ibérica, this line includes croissants, muffins, and doughnuts that are vegan, lower in sugar, and rich in unsaturated fats. With Spain-grown olive oil and a more sustainable profile, it’s a great example of how baking can evolve without compromising on taste.