Thank you for sharing your memories with us. They paint a wonderful picture of the Italian family meals so many of us cherish.
The fresh, green aroma and peppery sensation you experienced are characteristics of freshly produced, high-quality extra virgin olive oil, especially when olives are harvested earlier in the season. Olive oil styles can vary significantly depending on the olive varieties, harvest timing, and production methods.
Interestingly, our olive oil is also unfiltered, so while it shares that traditional characteristic, it may simply be a different style than the one you remember.
We truly appreciate you giving Dell'Orto a try, even though it wasn't the flavor profile you were hoping for.