Herb Oils and Vinegars

[sewer rat]

Hi Fellow Grapes
Following on fom the success of my various pickles, jellies, jams and chutneys at the Farmers Markets, I am now considering a range of flavoured oils and vinegars, using herbs etc. I have a couple of questions first though.
1. As consumers, what size bottle do you think would be best for either a flavoured / infused oil or vinegar - would 200ml be about right?
2. What herb oils / vinegars would you consider buying. I already know I'm doing Chive Oil - the rest is dependent on what is available throughout the season.
Thanks for your help (again)

[maytreefrannie]

I once ate something cooked with rosemary oil at a friend's house, it gave a lovely flavour. I don't know whether she prepared it herself or it was bought.

Others I've used are basil oil and of course, garlic.

[FionaH]

Rosemary oil and garlic for me please

[Hazel at the Hill]

I think that 200ml bottle is about right - I've just had a look through the kitchen cupboard and the basmati and extra virgin olive oil is in that size.

HOWEVER, I would deffo look at smaller bottles for your 'speciality' oils - if you look at the truffle/garlic/chilli/rosemary infused oils in the supermarkets, they are (I'm guessing at) 150ml.

Smaller bottles add 'exclusivity'. And then you can charge a premium.

[kirsty b]

Thats given me an idea, *lightbulb moment* my rosemary bush needs a fairly good pruning. I could infuse some oil as well as drying some and taking cuttings. Was wondering what I could do with it all.

[coreopsis]

Thats given me an idea, *lightbulb moment* my rosemary bush needs a fairly good pruning. I could infuse some oil as well as drying some and taking cuttings. Was wondering what I could do with it all.

I "pruned" mine last year.Whatever was left didn't survive

[pigletwillie]

Tarragon oil is a must Rat.

[HayleyB]

Chilli oil would be a favourite as well as garlic, agree with the rosemary too. How about a mixed herb oil call it Italian, put in oregano, thyme and maybe basil. You could home make pesto of course for the lazy bods

[Herbie]

When I visited Lidl today they had a lemon oil, wondered if you could do this with lemon balm?

[kirsty b]

I "pruned" mine last year.Whatever was left didn't survive

I won't go too mad, its just got a bit scruffy, and I want to give it a neater shape.
But, just remembered I want to use some of it as greenery in my wedding flower arrangements, so may just leave it alone completely!! I'll have a bit to try making herb oil though.

[Hilary B]

How about lemon thyme oil? The lemony thyme is a gorgeous variation on the 'ordinary' one...... Any 'traditional' mixture of herbs is worth trying for a herb oil (how about 'herbes de provence' if anyone knows what the mix is?). Rosemary-and-garlic should sell.
As a totally different product type, had you considered bath/cosmetic oils? I think you need to use a very bland and stable base-oil (almond is traditional I believe) and infuse an even greater amount of herb. Lavender springs to mind as a sleep-massage product, but blends for the bath might be a way to go.

[sewer rat]

As a totally different product type, had you considered bath/cosmetic oils? I think you need to use a very bland and stable base-oil (almond is traditional I believe) and infuse an even greater amount of herb. Lavender springs to mind as a sleep-massage product, but blends for the bath might be a way to go.

One of my box customers already make ands sells bath oils, soaps bath bombs etc using herbs, which she sells at the same Farmers Market as I do, so I don't want to tread on her toes as it were. Thanks for the suggestion on the lemon thyme though. I do want to try and stick to culinary oils and vinegars as I am known as the guy that grows and sells veg so they will tie in with the existing produce.
On the subject of bottles, I think I've found a 150ml bottle that will serve my purposes perfectly.

[coreopsis]

Sweet balsamic vinegar-for salads.
As for infused oil,I've never tried any but I'd love to try basil and rosemary ones.
I'll try to grow thyme this year,I'll see if I like it.

[bazzaboy]

a warning re homemade infused oils...

Interesting thread SR and I was simpy going to ask you how you do it but a bit of googling has also raised some warnings which I thought I'd better pass on to anyone (including myself! ) thinking of trying this at home:

See e.g.:
How to infuse olive oil : EatingBritain.com - The UK Food Site

which warns about particular problems with infusing garlic (and, elsewhere, chilli).

See also warnings on:
Garlic Infused Olive Oil - DON’T Try This At Home! | Garlic Passion

You may also be aware this matter has been raised previously on GYO, see:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ism_24521.html

Frankly I've no idea if these warnings are true, simply passing them on... we tend to assume fruit and veg are pretty safe so it's rare to find such explicit warnings.

But not to be solely alarmist and in more positive frame of mind, a video on how to it:
How To Make Infused Oils Recipe (Food & Drink: Sauces & Condiments)

b.

[glut]

I made rosemary oil with tips cut off in autumn. It tasted really nice and I am still using it now. I also made garlic oil but the above links scared me enough to throw it out (I had used it quite happily up til then though and am still standing?!!) I would use a five spice flavoured oil for stir frys...don't know if such a thing is possible. Or perhaps a mint one for adding to salad dressings...? gosh you could go on forever couldn't you?