1. Question.
Are our products Gluten Free/suitable for a coeliac diet?
Answer. All of our International Collection Oil and Vinegar products are gluten free and therefore suitable for a Coeliac diet.
International Tapenades are also gluten free and again suitable for a Coeliac diet.
International Bruschettas, excluding Mexican.
2. Question.
Are our products suitable for Vegetarians?
Answer. All International Collection products are suitable for Vegetarians.
3. Question.
Are our product suitable for Vegans?
Answer. All International Collection products are suitable for Vegans.
4. Question.
Can the oils be used for other uses such as Massage!
Answer. The main oils which have other uses are: Safflower, Grapeseed and Groundnut. These could be used as a bath or massage oil.
5. Question.
Are our product suitable for a low salt diet?
Answer. All International Collection Oils and Vinegars are suitable for a low salt diet. For Chalice Tapenades and Bruschettas, please see the individual product detail for salt levels.
6. Question. Are our product suitable for a Nut Free diet?
Answer. Where nuts are used in products, they are clearly labelled. Other products are made on machinery and in a facility which does pack nut products. Every effort is taken to clean the machinery by flushing with clean oil, however caution is recommended.
International Collection tapenades and brushchettas are packed in a nut free area.
7. Question. Are our product suitable for someone following the Kosher or Halal diet?
Answer. All International Collection oils are produced under Kosher conditions, however are not certified.
International Collection Grapeseed oil, Vinegars, Tapenades and Brushcettas are not suitable for a Kosher diet
8. Question. How are they made? (Tapenades and Oils)
Answer. Oils are extracted from a source material and refined if necessary for the purpose.
Tapenades and Brushcettas are made in a small batch process.
9. Question. The infused process for the Chalice Infused Oils
Answer. The herbs/ingredients are mixed with oil through a unique infusion process. Any residual material is then removed, leaving only the infused oil.
10. Question. How is the oil extracted?
Answer. There are a number of ways that oil can be extracted, these are as follows:
Expeller pressing extracts the oil by applying pressure to squeeze the oil out.
Cold Pressing extracts the oil by applying pressure to squeeze the oil out but the temperature is controlled.
Solvent extraction is done by using solvent to dissolve the oil. The solvent is then removed, leaving the oil only.
11. Question.
Possible explanation of cold pressed, expeller pressed and solvent extraction and which oil is extracted by which means.
Answer. See 10.
12. Question.
What is the smoke point / flash point of the oil?
Answer. International Collection Groundnut and Grapeseed - Smoke point - 200°c, Flash point - 325°c.
International Collection Stir Fry oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive Oil, Infused Oils, Flavoured Oils, Dipping Oils and Almond Oil - Smoke point 150°c and a flash point of 300°c
13. Question. What are saturates / monounsaturates / polyunsaturates / trans fat?
Answer. Chemically these are all made up differently and therefore act differently in the body.
Intake of saturates in general should be minimised.
High levels of monosaturates are generally thought to be beneficial.
Reasonably high levels of polyunsaturates are generally thought to be beneficial.
Trans fats overall have a similar effect to saturates, so should therefore be minimised where possible.
14. Question. Why is my oil cloudy? What should I do?
Answer. The natural properties of some oils mean that they will become cloudy when cold. This will obviously be worse in the winter months. These are safe to consume when cloudy. However, the cloudiness can be rectified by placing the bottle in a warm area or by standing the bottle in some warm water.
Oils more prone to going cloudy are : Olive Oil, Groundnut Oil and Sesame Oil. Depending on the oil, this can look like a haze or small round pearls at the bottom of the bottle.
15. Question.
Is the sediment in my vinegar safe to consume?
Answer. Yes it is safe to drink.
16. Question.
How should I store my oils and speciality foods?
Answer. In general oils should be stored in a cool dark place. It is not necessary to put oils in the fridge. Putting the oils in the fridge will not damage them, however will make some oils like Olive more difficult to use.
17. Question.
I know we put it on the label but some consumers tell us they are storing the oils in the fridge and then wonder why they go cloudy!!
Answer. See 14.
18. Question.
Personal care usages for any of the oils under the IC range. This would be good as many consumers buy the oils for these reasons, especially in Japan.
