#3: Golden Elixir

Cheers with Chance: What I Learned This Week!

Hey Friends,

Welcome back to Cheers with Chance! After spending a few days among the olive and citrus orchards of Sicily, I’m excited to share this week's five lessons. From the wonders of olive oil and citrus to the surprising challenges of local agriculture, there's plenty to explore. Plus, we had a wild adventure at one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. Grab a seat, Let’s dive in! 🌋🍋🍷

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🍹 5 Things I Learned This Week

1️⃣ [Health] – The Golden Elixir: Olive Oil

After indulging in liters an unknown amount of golden olive oil (with plenty of fresh bread, of course 👀), I figured it was only fair to learn more about this Mediterranean staple.

Olive trees have been cultivated in the Mediterranean for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks and Romans prized olive oil not only for its culinary uses but also for its role in rituals, medicine, and skincare. Olives first arrived in Sicily around 800 BC, brought by the Phoenicians. The island’s mild climate and rich soil made it the perfect home for these ancient groves.

Olive oil is rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fats, which are known to reduce inflammation and promote heart health. It’s also packed with antioxidants and has been linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases.

💡 Choosing a Good Olive Oil:

• Look for Extra Virgin – The highest quality with the least processing.

• Check for Cold-Pressed – This ensures nutrients remain intact.

• Verify the Harvest Date – Freshness matters! For optimal quality and flavor, aim to consume extra virgin olive oil within 12-18 months of harvest. Olives are typically harvested between October and January. Look for the date on the label to be from the previous year.

• Go for Dark Bottles – Protects oil from light exposure. UV light can cause oxidation and lead to a loss of flavor, nutritional value, and potentially rancidity.

• Opt for the Smaller Bottle – Air Exposure also leads to oxidation. Once the oil is exposed to air, it begins to oxidize, losing precious micronutrients such as polyphenols. Aim to use the opened bottle within 30 days to 3 months.

• Ensure the label has a D.O.P. Certification (for Italian Olive Oil) – D.O.P. stands for Denominazione di Origine Protetta and is an Italian government certification that ensures a product is really from where it says it's from. Olive Oil fraud is real!

🚫 Olive Oil vs. Seed Oils: Unlike heavily refined seed oils, olive oil contains beneficial polyphenols and lacks the harmful trans fats common in industrial seed oils. Polyphenols contribute significantly to its anti-inflammatory benefits.

⭐ Fun Fact: The average Italian consumes 12 liters of olive oil per year!

❓Trivia: How much olive oil does the average American consume? answer at the end.

There are regional differences in flavor profiles of olive oil. Sicilian olive oil typically features a fruity and mild profile with buttery notes and hints of tomato leaf and almond, while Tuscan olive oil often boasts a robust, peppery flavor with grassy and artichoke undertones. If you have a burning desire to go further down the rabbit hole, you can learn more here 😊

Next time you reach for oil, think about that liquid gold. Might I suggest adding a pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper, indulging with some freshly baked bread.

Do you enjoy eating olives?

2️⃣ [Health] – The Citrus Awakening

While wandering through lemon and orange orchards across Sicily, I quickly learned that a lemon isn’t just a lemon, and an orange isn’t just an orange.

Sicily is home to an astonishing variety of citrus, including the iconic Blood Orange, renowned for its vibrant crimson hue and sweet, tangy flavor. These blood oranges owe their striking color to anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that develops due to the island’s cool winter nights.

There are over 600 varieties of oranges and 50 varieties of lemons worldwide, each with its own distinct taste, use, and even proper slicing method!

💡 Choosing the Right Citrus:

• Blood Oranges – Perfect for fresh juice or vibrant salads.

• Meyer Lemons – A sweeter option for desserts or cocktails.

• Bergamot – Often used for tea flavoring.

🔪 Pro Tip: Use a serrated paring knife for cutting citrus! A serrated paring knife ensures clean, effortless slices without crushing the delicate citrus flesh - yielding more juice for you squeeze. I also learned to use this knife when cutting onions. Reducing the amount of pressure applied prevents damage to the cells, resulting in less tear inducing chemicals!

Have you tried any unique citrus varieties?

3️⃣ [Business] – The Citrus Problem: A Sicilian Dilemma 🍊🍋

With citrus orchards covering Sicily’s countryside, you’d think the island would be a major citrus exporter. However, the reality is far more complex. Despite its rich volcanic soil and ideal climate, Sicily imports a large portion of its citrus. Why?

• High Labor Costs & Abandonment of Orchards – Many of Sicily’s citrus farms are small, family-run operations that struggle to compete with large-scale industrial farms in Spain and North Africa. The cost of labor is high, and hiring workers for seasonal harvesting can be prohibitively expensive. As a result, many orchards are abandoned, with fruit left to rot rather than being harvested.

• Climate Challenges: Drought & Disease – Sicily’s climate has been changing in recent years, with prolonged droughts affecting citrus yields. Water shortages make it difficult to maintain orchards, and inconsistent rainfall leads to lower-quality fruit. In addition, citrus groves are increasingly threatened by fungal diseases, such as Mal Secco, which devastates lemon trees, weakening their production.

• Mafia Influence & Agricultural Exploitation – The Sicilian Mafia (Cosa Nostra) has long had its hands in the agriculture sector, controlling land use, supply chains, and even government subsidies. Some citrus farmers are forced to pay "protection money" (pizzo), while others lose access to resources or fair market prices due to corruption and exploitation. This makes citrus farming even less profitable for small growers.

• EU Subsidies & Market Competition – Rather than incentivizing citrus farming, European Union subsidies often make it more profitable for landowners to leave their orchards uncultivated. Many farmers receive payments for maintaining farmland rather than actively growing crops, further reducing local citrus production. Additionally, Spain and North African countries (like Morocco and Tunisia) export citrus at lower prices, flooding the European market and making it harder for Sicilian farmers to compete.

• The Quality of Sicilian Citrus – Despite these challenges, Sicilian citrus is still among the best in the world. Blood oranges from the island, particularly Arancia Rossa di Sicilia, are prized for their intense flavor, deep red pigmentation, and high antioxidant content. The volcanic soil of Mount Etna enriches the fruit with a unique sweetness and acidity balance. Unfortunately, while Sicilian citrus is superior in quality, the market is often driven by cost rather than taste, leading retailers to favor cheaper imports.

💡 Takeaway: Sicily’s citrus dilemma is a mix of economic, environmental, and political challenges. The next time you’re at the store or market, check where your citrus comes from. If you see Sicilian lemons or blood oranges, you’ll know there’s a deep and complex story behind them!

Would you be willing to pay more for high-quality, locally grown produce over cheaper imports?

4️⃣ [Travel] – Exploring Mount Etna 🌋

While in Sicily, we had the chance to visit one of Italy’s most active volcanoes — Mount Etna.

Standing at 10,912 feet, Etna dominates the landscape and offers incredibly rich volcanic soil that supports vibrant vineyards and orchards. In fact, the surrounding wineries are famous for their mineral-rich wines. We had an opportunity to explore, and taste, these unique grape varieties! Some of the notable varietals include Nerello Mascalese and Carricante, known for their distinct volcanic character. 🍷

💡 Fun Facts About Mount Etna:

• It has been erupting for 500,000 years and remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

• Last Eruption: Mount Etna erupted in February 2024, with continuous minor activity since then. 🎶Cue the White Lotus music. IYKYK!

• It’s fertile volcanic soil supports vineyards producing some of the best Sicilian wines.

• Geologically, Mount Etna straddles the boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates — technically placing us in both Europe and Africa?

While exploring the craters and looking up at its peak, we could see smoke plumes, showing how active Etna remains to this day.

Would you go hiking on a active Volcano?

5️⃣ [Beverage Recommendation] – A Sicilian Classic

To wrap up this week, I’m recommending a classic Sicilian beverage: Limoncello.

Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur made from lemon zest, sugar, and vodka. Served chilled, it’s the perfect digestif after a meal.

💡 Make It at Home:

• 10 organic lemons (preferably Sicilian lemons)

• 1 liter vodka

• 3 cups sugar

• 4 cups water

Peel the lemons, infuse the zest in vodka for a week, then mix with simple syrup. Strain, chill, and enjoy!

⭐For the best results, let your Limoncello rest in the freezer for 2-3 weeks to allow the flavors to fully develop.

With warmer temps in our sights, let me know if you give this one a try!

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🍻 Closing Thoughts

Thanks for joining me this week! I’d love to hear from you—what’s something new you learned recently? Hit reply or leave a comment and share!

📝Answer to Trivia: The average American consumes roughly 1 liter (about 33.8 ounces) of olive oil per year. The Greeks hold the top spot with around 24 liters per capita of olive oil consumption per year.

If you enjoyed this, forward it to a friend who might like Cheers with Chance. I’ll be back next week with more stories and insights. Until then, stay curious and thirsty. 🍋🌋🍷

Cheers,

Chance