Delicious Drizzles: Huilerie Leblanc

A Best of France selection.

It’s easy to miss the tiny boutique on rue Jacob in Paris, not far from the pretty Place Furstemberg, but that would be a shame. Because, though small, the shop of the Huilerie Artisanale Leblanc contains a world of enticing flavors. The Paris outlet of a family-run oil mill located in Iguerande, in Burgundy, the Huilerie carries nineteen delicious oils pressed not only from such familiar products as olives, corn and sunflower seeds, but also from pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts. Since 1878 the Leblancs have used only traditional methods and equipment, starting with top-quality fruits, nuts and seeds, and grinding them in small batches with granite millstones to create a pâte, or paste. In some cases the pâte is very slightly toasted before pressing, and the art of the huilier lies in obtaining just the right flavor in the process. Intensely aromatic, Leblanc oils are intended not for cooking, but for flavoring. Excellent on vegetables or in vinaigrettes, they can also be added to cooked dishes just before serving, with memorable results. Walnut oil drizzled over chèvre cheese on salad transforms a simple dish into a delight, and hazelnut oil whisked with sherry vinegar and poured over steamed salmon is worthy of the fanciest dinner party. Customers are encouraged to sniff or taste the oils before buying, and a free leaflet offers plenty of serving suggestions. And a little goes a long way.

6 rue Jacob, 6th. website

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Originally published in the December 2008 issue of France Today.