Ottolenghi has teamed up with Citizens of Soil on an upmarket olive oil, launching exclusively in Waitrose.
The extra virgin olive oil (rsp: £24/500ml), which is sourced from Tuscany and Umbria, offers notes of “herbaceousness with artichoke, a chicory-like bitterness, almond nuttiness, and strong pepper”, according to Ottolenghi.
While individual nuances may vary slightly between harvests, its “green, bitter and peppery profile” would remain consistent, the brand added.
Designed as a finishing oil rather than an everyday cooking oil, it is recommended drizzled over burrata, roasted vegetables or bread.
Ottolenghi Extra Virgin Olive Oil will land in Waitrose stores from 10 August and will also be available DTC via Ottolenghi’s and Citizens of Soil’s websites.
Citizens of Soil sources its oils from independent family growers across the Mediterranean who are committed to regenerative farming. Olives are harvested and milled within hours to preserve their freshness, flavour and nutritional quality.
Food lovers were “increasingly seeking out premium, small-batch finishing oils that put flavour and sustainable farming first”, said Charlotte Kissane, oil buyer at Waitrose.
“Citizens of Soil’s focus on regenerative agriculture and soil health aligns perfectly with our own values, and when paired with Ottolenghi’s unparalleled flair for flavour, the result is an extra virgin olive oil of extraordinary quality built for finishing and drizzling,” she said.
Yotam Ottolenghi, chef and co-founder of his namesake grocery brand, added: “Good olive oil changes everything – it’s my most used ingredient, by a country mile. Working with Citizens of Soil on our own oil, sourced from Tuscany and Umbria – regions I’ve known since childhood – is the perfect fit.”
Sarah Vachon, founder & olive oil sommelier at Citizens of Soil, added: “We have the privilege of working with some of the most talented and thoughtful small-batch producers of olives, who all prioritise flavour, nutrition, and nature over yields.
“When the Ottolenghi team came to us and talked about Yotam’s favourite styles of olive oil and his connection to this region, we knew we had the perfect people to create something together that represents the landscapes, the gastronomy, and the culture of this beautiful corner of the Mediterranean.”
The launch comes after Ottolenghi expanded its Waitrose partnership in April with new dressings and fresh deli staples.
Having initially launched exclusively in Waitrose in April 2024, the restaurant brand expanded its grocery presence in February with listings in Sainsbury’s and Ocado.
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