The Vita Sana Olive Oil Company is Charles and Merry Jane Walsh's latest family owned business in direct response to their customers requests. The first location opened in Casper, Wyoming in September 2012, and the newest location in Rapid City, South Dakota in July 2013. The Walsh's love of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the pursuit of the freshest high quality Olive Oil led them to open the store which imports seasonally according to the crush date of the olive oil. They offer the freshest single variety extra virgin olive oils available from both the northern and southern hemispheres. They also carry many different fused and infused extra virgin olive oils. The unique tasting bar format allows customers to have the opportunity to taste and compare over 50 varieties of the finest imported extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Each variety is stored in stainless steel Fustis from Italy to preserve and protect the individual flavors and provide incredibly fresh olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The olives are grown and pressed by small artisans and farmers from around the world. Their balsamic vinegars are harvested in Modena, Italy, and produced in the traditional Modena style which ages them in wooden barrels for up to 18 years. None of the olive oils and balsamic vinegars contain any preservatives, chemicals or additives in order to provide you with the best product possible! Charles and Merry Jane strongly believe that olive oil is like fruit juice: highly perishable, healthier and more flavorful when consumed fresh. This is one of the reasons why they post the harvest date on the oils offered at Vita Sana. In addition to the harvest date, they are extremely fanatical when it comes to the chemistry of the olive oils. The chemistry of a specific oil can tell you many things. By testing the oil, you can learn the antioxidant value, the measurement which dictates the flavor intensity, to whether it is suitable for high heat cooking based on its unique free fatty acid measurement and fruit condition. The oleic acid is also measured in the oils which gauges the amount of healthy monounsaturated fat in the Olive Oil. Vita Sana also carries a variety of sea salts, spices, pastas, wine and unique gifts!
