Photos: Chris Emeott
Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company features the perfect touch for a tasty, healthy meal.
Life is busy, and making meals with flavorful food can be a challenge. But with the help of olive oils and vinegars, good food becomes tastier.
Located in Woodbury and White Bear Lake, Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company, a family-run business, has just what your pantry needs. Co-owner Jenny Ramseth says while she loves to cook, she doesn’t always have time to make fast, flavorful meals.
So, when the opportunity for Jenny and her husband, Paul Ramseth, came to purchase the White Bear Lake store in 2023, the couple couldn’t pass it by. They opened the Woodbury location in 2024. “It was a lifelong dream of mine to own a store like this,” she says. “It became my husband’s dream too.”
With just one location in White Bear Lake at the time, the Ramseths quickly learned—and heard of—a need in Woodbury and opened a second location last November. “We saw the opportunity of bringing something unique to the area,” Jenny says of the Woodbury store.
Paul and Jenny Ramseth with their children, Ellis and Lila.
The oils and vinegars easily steal the show. Olive Branch features more than 50 varieties of extra virgin varietal, fused and infused olive oils—Jenny walks us through a few beloved choices.
Varietal Oil
Varietal olive oils are the purest form and don’t feature flavorings. Koroneiki Greek is the most popular and Jenny’s favorite.
“It is healthy for you and really delicious,” she says, adding that extra virgin olive oil features antioxidants and good fats that help reduce inflammation and add to overall health. “If you have a tablespoon of olive oil a day, there are some real health benefits.” (This statement is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified health care provider before making changes to your diet or nutrition routine.)
Fused and Infused Oil
Fused olive oils are pressed with other ingredients like herbs and peppers—Jenny notes the habanero-fused olive oil as a favorite. “What’s really nice about that is you get the flavor, but everything is so fresh because it’s all pressed together,” she says. She also highlights Mediterranean Medley, which is full of herbs, olives and garlic.
Olive Branch’s infused olive oil has natural flavorings added after the initial pressing of the olive. This can include bacon, butter, strawberry and other flavors.
“It’s really a preference,” Jenny says of what customers like best. “You don’t have to be a chef because these olive oils are so good and have so much flavor. It’s as easy as adding garlic olive oil to some potatoes to give it so much extra flavor without any effort. That’s what I really love.”
Specialty and Dipping Oil
The shop also has a few specialty oils, like avocado and toasted sesame, as well as dipping oils with flavors including Bruschetta, Herbs de Provence, Tuscan and Za’atar. Jenny says the dipping oils combine a varietal olive oil with various seasonings. They can most often be enjoyed with bread, such as focaccia or naan.
Quick, Easy and Flavorful
As a busy mom of two children, Ellis, 9, and Lila, 7, Jenny says the addition of olive oils and vinegars into a meal can make all the difference. “You can pack so much flavor into a meal without it being difficult,” she says.
Every month, Olive Branch features an oil and vinegar pair that allows customers to try different flavors together.
“The most classic way to pair the two is by making a vinaigrette,” Jenny says. “That consists of two parts olive oil, one part vinegar, maybe some Dijon mustard, but you don’t really need it. It’s great for marinades and putting over vegetables and salads. It’s an easy, flavorful way to bring your meals to the next level.”
Whether you’re a seasoned chef, a busy parent or someone who loves to try new flavors, Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company is a stop worth making—you might surprise yourself with a new favorite.
Stored to Last
Storage affects the shelf life of all oils, and Jenny Ramseth says olive oil should be stored in a dark container out of direct sunlight. At Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company, oils are stored in bottles made from recycled Italian glass. If stored correctly, olive oil lasts about 12 to 18 months.
“They don’t technically expire, but they start to lose flavoring and don’t taste as good after about a year to a year and a half,” Jenny says. “It won’t go bad or be dangerous, but it’ll taste off. The better you store it out of direct sunlight in a closed container, the longer it’ll last.”
Vinegars
Aside from oils, Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company features dark and white balsamic vinegars alongside wine and fruit vinegars.
Jenny Ramseth says all the balsamic vinegars are from Italy. While a little more complicated than oil, vinegars are aged, depending on different levels and certifications. At Olive Branch, the vinegars are aged for an average of eight years.
“Balsamic vinegar doesn’t have a shelf life,” she says. “If stored right, it gets better with age.”
The difference between white and dark vinegar is that white is pressure-cooked to prevent browning, Jenny says, adding that white vinegar is also cooked for a shorter period of time than dark vinegar.
“Dark balsamic vinegar is typically sweeter and aged for a bit longer,” she adds. “The process gives it a different flavor.”
Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company
9020 Hudson Road Suite 415; 651.313.5999
Facebook: Olive Branch Oil & Spice
Instagram: @olivebranchmn
