The Essential Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cookbook

Olive oil lovers rejoice—this is the only cookbook you need! From grove to table, and from Italy to California, discover the many flavors of extra virgin olive oil with an olive oil sommelier as your guide.

Extra virgin olive oil is a foundational ingredient, but we often overlook its impact—especially when it comes to flavor. Let olive oil sommelier Emily Lycopolus lead your EVOO journey: start with the basics—what makes an oil extra virgin? how is it even made?—and then explore the art of cooking with it through the expansive flavors of different oils.

Because olive oil is anything but neutral: spicy, bitter, fruity, floral, nutty, herbaceous, buttery, vegetal—a wealth of flavor awaits! Emily dedicates one chapter to each oil flavor, with tips on how to spot them in stores, and provides a range of recipes for how to cook with them. After falling in love with olive oil at her husband’s family grove in Italy, Emily has taken her background in chemistry and deep love of food to dedicate herself to EVOO—and it’s all in this book.

• Discover EVOO around the globe: Travel to Italy, Greece, Spain, and California with stunning photography and profiles that show the diversity of olive groves, and fascinating insights into innovative producers around the world.

• Cook for every meal with 80 recipes: Eat breakfast through dessert (with a drink along the way) with Mediterranean Diet–friendly dishes (like Spelt Berry Salad and Olive Oil–Poached Halibut) and surprising oil flavor choices (fruity for Lemon Chicken Ramen Bowl, spicy for Dark Chocolate Mousse).

• Host your own tasting party: Invite friends over to try some professional tasting techniques, find your favorite oils, and learn which ingredients they pair with best.

• Understand olive oil like never before: No other book explores the diverse flavors of EVOO, backed by on-the-ground research, tasting tips, insider knowledge, and delicious recipes!

As accessible as it is comprehensive, The Essential Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cookbook is an incredibly researched, food-forward companion for anyone who loves and wants to learn more about their favorite oil.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs