Olive Oil 101: The Truth in Your Kitchen at BLU

This weekend, BLU member David Neuman, Rotarian and Membership Chairman of Cypress Creek Rotary, hosted Olive Oil 101: The Truth in Your Kitchen, a powerful demonstration of BLU by ThriveWell's™ commitment to community, education, and integrative wellness. The interactive session welcomed guests into the world of authentic extra virgin olive oil with an engaging blend of science, flavor, and hands-on learning. From the moment attendees arrived, it was clear this would be more than a tasting, it was an eye-opening culinary and wellness experience designed to elevate both knowledge and everyday health.

An introduction from Dr. Gordon Chen, BLU's Co-founder, CEO and Cardiologist, Dr. Jessica Chen, BLU's Co-founder and Chief Health & Wellness Officer, was followed by an afternoon of Olive Oil tasting, where participants were guided through how to taste real extra virgin olive oil like a professional, sampling nine distinct olive oils, including rare new-harvest selections sourced directly from international estates. Guests learned how to identify positive flavor attributes, such as fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency, while also recognizing negative defects commonly found in low-quality oils.

Experts David Neuman, Certfiied ONAOO Professional Taster, Author and Retail Expert in Olive Oil, Dr. Artemis Morris, leading Expert in Mediterranean Nutrition, Women's Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine and Emily Lycopolus, Olive Oil Sommelier, Certified ONAOO Professional Olive Oil Taster and Auther, demonstrated how to properly store, pair, and cook with extra virgin olive oil, sharing chef-inspired recipes, food pairings, and kitchen tips that attendees could immediately apply at home.

The educational portion extended beyond flavor, diving deep into nutritional science, including current research on the Mediterranean diet and anti-inflammatory nutrition, highlighting olive oil’s powerful role in heart health, longevity, and overall wellness.

A Take-Home Gift of Wellness

Every attendee received a generous gift bag featuring a full-size bottle of Seasons Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a Certificate of Completion as a Trained Olive Oil Taster, ensuring the experience continued well beyond the event.

Community, Connection & Lasting Impact

More than just an educational workshop, Olive Oil 101 fostered connection, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for how simple daily choices can profoundly impact long-term health.

At BLU by ThriveWell™, we believe wellness should be empowering, and enjoyable, and events like this continue to bring that philosophy to life.