The Tasteful Olive

Photos by Emma Highfill: Rose Wheat Photography

When Jeanne Mackay and her husband, Jay, first tasted fresh olive oil, they were truly amazed by the flavor. From that first, stunning sample, the couple went on to develop a real appreciation for olive oils and balsamic vinegars. They visited several olive oil stores in the Midwest and set out to learn about the intensities, uses, and health benefits of fresh oils. By 2009, they had decided that owning an oil store in Kansas would be worth the effort because people would be interested in the product if they could just taste the difference and learn how good it was for their health. The couple opened The Tasteful Olive in Overland Park in March of 2010, and it was the first olive oil store in the Kansas City metro area.

“We chose ‘for the love of good health’ as our tagline,” Jeanne said, “because the health benefits of olive oil are a big part of our passion for the product. We wanted everyone to know that our products are not only delicious, they can improve your health, as well.”

After building up a following in Kansas City, Jeanne and Jay expanded into the Topeka area, with Jay’s brother David selling products at the Topeka Farmers Market. In November of 2014, the Topeka store opened.

COMMITTED TO QUALITY

The Tasteful Olive carries over 75 olive oils and aged, naturally flavored balsamic vinegars. The store also carries gourmet wine vinegars and specialty oils, ANH coconut oil, pastas, olives, sea salts, spice blends, loose leaf teas and olive oil hair and skin products. Quality is of the utmost importance to Jeanne and Jay when they choose what will occupy the shelves of their stores. Because the climate in Kansas is not suitable for growing olives, the Mackay’s had to conduct a lot of research to source the best quality oils for Kansas residents.

“Olives grow in many countries and there are well over 700 varieties of olives,” Jeanne Mackay said. “In Europe, our olive oils come from olive trees grown in countries in the northern hemisphere like Spain, Italy, Turkey and those in the southern hemisphere like Chile. All are tested for the high quality of 6-10 different standards and are premium extra virgin olive oils.”

The Tasteful Olive usually carries six extra virgin, unflavored, oils, fresh from the current hemisphere’s harvest, as well as 18 infused (flavored) olive oils, and five fused (argrumato) olive oils at any one time. A “flavored” oil has an extra virgin olive oil base and then real fruit, herb or spice has been added in a liquid form.

“The balsamic vinegars are just as precious,” Jeanne said. “The white and dark balsamics are produced in Modena, Italy. When they arrive at our supplier, there are special formulas to infuse them with real fruit, herb or spice.”

The three balsamic vinegars that are not flavored are the Traditional Dark, a reduced down traditional, and the Standard White. All of these vinegars have been aged at least 12 years.”

TEACHING OTHERS

Aside from flavorful, quality products, The Tasteful Olive also provides classes, so that customers can learn new recipes and techniques for making the most of their oils and vinegars. Topics include salad dressings, marinades and sauces, roasted vegetable techniques, appetizers and a basic 101 class about olive oil and balsamics. All classes include a tasting of the final outcome made with Tasteful Olive products.

BUILDING LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS

Jeanne is proud to share the health benefits of oils and vinegars, while building long-term relationships with our customers.

“We offer a product that people appreciate,” Jeanne said. “Once people taste the oil, they understand what is so special about it.”

The Tasteful Olive, like most small businesses, has faced challenges along the way, including finding ways to reach new customers and staying strong through slower retail seasons. But they’ve built up a strong fan base of loyal customers, which helps them weather the tighter times.

Jeanne and Jay continue to learn more about the olive oil industry and how to source the best products at the best price. They travel to attend seminars and workshops and continue to conduct research, which means tasting fantastic products. Jeanne encourages anyone who is curious about oils and vinegars to visit The Tasteful Olive for samples and information.

“We offer pre-poured samples so that people can try before they buy, and we are glad to share what we’ve learned, too,” Jeanne said. “People need to be able to taste the difference, to understand what we are truly offering. Once they do, they’ll definitely want to come back.”