The Olive Oil Enthusiast

A comprehensive, practical introduction to the often misunderstood world of olive oil—with recipes for appetizers, pasta, sauces, and desserts—from the founders and producers of the acclaimed EXAU Olive Oil brand.

Humans have produced and enjoyed olive oil for thousands of years, but education about olive oil is woefully lacking. After meeting and falling in love with an American on holiday, then moving to the U.S., Giuseppe Morisani was shocked to discover that quality olive oil was not appreciated or even available in many parts of the United States. He was raised among his family's seaside olive groves in Calabria, Italy, so when he and his wife, Skyler Mapes, decided to demystify the industry, they moved to Calabria and began harvesting, producing, packaging, and exporting high-quality Italian olive oil. 

The Olive Oil Enthusiast is a clear, approachable guide to the world of olive oil, starting with a walk through the olive groves during growing season to harvesting the olives to the milling and production processes. There are tips for shopping for, tasting, using, and storing olive oil. Mapes and Morisani also include twenty recipes for dishes that showcase olive oil, such as Crocchette di Patate (fried potato croquettes), Pasta Aglio e Olio (pasta with garlic and olive oil), Olive Oil Brownies, and tasty Bruschetta.

With charming illustrations and passionate author expertise, readers will discover a new appreciation for a classic ingredient.

About the Author

Skyler Mapes and Giuseppe Morisani founded EXAU Olive Oil and oversee every aspect of the business. They harvest, mill, and bottle their olive oil in Calabria, Italy, before importing to the United States, where they sell direct to customers. They are dedicated to educating the public about high-quality olive oil and fair representation for women of color in the olive oil industry. Skyler has been included in Forbes's "30 Under 30," and EXAU has been featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things, Food52, Food & Wine, and more. Giuseppe was born and raised in Calabria, one of Italy’s most important olive oil regions. Giuseppe’s family has been producing high-quality olive oil for almost 100 years. Giuseppe and Skyler's passion for and dedication to olive oil have helped produce a sought-after product, found in some of the world’s top kitchens.

Author Residence: Calabria, Italy

Author Hometown: Oakland, CA