Types of the olive oil

In very general terms, Olive Oil is extracted by the pressing or crushing of olives. The different varieties or classifications of Olive Oil are a result of the type of pressing, acidity levels, and the extent of processing the oil has undergone.  When buying Olive Oil you will want to obtain the highest possible quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Some of the more common types or classifications of Olive Oil and their meanings include the following:

Extra Virgin Olive OilThe oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive solely by mechanical or other physical means, and is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals. The oil must not be altered in any way. It can only be treated by washing, decanting, centrifuging and filtering. Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains no more than 0.8% acidity (0.8 grams per 100 grams, expressed as oleic acid), and is judged to have a superior taste. The less the Olive Oil is handled, and the closer it is to its natural state, the better the oil. If the Olive Oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as "extra virgin". It must have no flavour or aroma faults. NOTE: All of our oils had an acidity of less than 0.25% at the time of crush, with only one oil at 0.32%, and the majority falling between 0.1 and 0.2%.

Virgin Olive OilVirgin Olive Oil which has a free acidity of not more than 2.0% (2 grams per 100 grams expressed as oleic acid) and the other characteristics which correspond to the extra virgin category above.

Ordinary Virgin Olive OilVirgin Olive Oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 3.3 grams per 100 grams (3.3%) and the other characteristics of which correspond to the extra virgin category above. Ordinary oil may still be fine for frying or where flavour is not wanted or needed.

Lampante OilThis is Olive Oil that not fit for human consumption as it is. It will have a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of more than 3.3 grams per 100 grams (3.3%). Used for many years in oil-burning lamps.

Pure Olive Oil or Refined Olive Oil 
Oils labelled as Pure Olive Oil or Olive Oil are usually a blend of refined and virgin production oils. This is obtained by refining virgin Olive Oils that have a high acidity level and/or organoleptic defects that are eliminated after refining. No solvents have been used to extract the oil but it has been refined with the use of charcoal and other chemical and physical filters

Olive OilThis is a blend of virgin and refined production oil, of no more than 1.0% acidity (1 gram per 100 grams expressed as oleic acid). It commonly lacks a strong flavour. The cheap refined oil is mixed with flavourful virgin Olive Oil.

Olive-Pomace OilPomace is the ground flesh and pits after pressing. It has a free acidity of not more than 1.0% (1 gram per 100 grams). It is considered an inferior grade and is used for soap making or industrial purposes.

Olive CakeOlive cake is the solid phase that's remained after pressing olives. Also called pomace.

Light Olive Oil "Light" Olive Oil is a marketing concept and not a true classification of Olive Oil grades. It is not a regulated designation so there are no real parameters for what its content should be. Sometimes, the Olive Oil is blended with other vegetable oils. It is important to note that this designation refers to flavour only, not caloric content, as all types of Olive Oil have the same number of calories. This oil is often flavourless and of low quality. It is a refined oil.

Blended Olive OilThis refers to the combining of Olive Oils from different groves, varieties, and qualities (sometimes from different countries also) to create a blend that offers a desired taste. Changes in weather and other conditions will impact the same olive variety in the same region differently every year. Since large supermarket brands must taste the same year over year, “master blenders" are employed to create a recipe that combines these different oils from different sources to create the same finished product consumers associate with a particular brand. Another reason for blending is to increase an oil’s shelf life. This is achieved by blending an oil high in polyphenols with one that does not. Sometimes Olive Oil is blended with canola or other vegetable oils. This is legal ONLY IF STATED on the label. Illegal blending of cheaper hazelnut oil can be profitable for the dishonest producer and is difficult to detect.

Organic Olive OilOlive Oil produced in a holistic, ecologically-balanced approach to farming, without the use of any pesticides or chemicals. It is important to note that many Olive Oils may be organically produced, however the high cost of certification is often prohibitive for small independent producers. For this reason very few oils will actually be certified organic. Some of the more common certification agencies granting the organic designation include BIOHELLAS, ECOCERT, USDA ORGANIC, DEMETER, ICEA, and DIO, although there are many more.

Unfiltered Olive Oil 
Unfiltered oil will contain small particles of olive flesh. While some claim this adds additional flavour, it often causes sediment to form at the bottom of the bottle. There are varying degrees of filtration (partially filtered, lightly filtered, etc), but this sediment may become rancid. This will over time deteriorate the oil’s flavour and shelf life. Unfiltered oil should be properly stored and used within 6 months of bottling. We recommend that unfiltered oils are best enjoyed drizzled over salads or grilled vegetables, and not for cooking.

Early Harvest Olive Oil or Fall Harvest Olive Oil 
Olives reach their full size in the fall but may not fully ripen from green to black until late winter. Green olives have slightly less oil, more bitterness and can be higher in polyphenols. The oil tends to be more expensive because it takes more olives to make a bottle of oil. Many people like the peppery and bitter quality of early harvest oil. Flavour notes of grass, green, green leaf, pungent, astringent are used to describe early harvest fall oils. Because of the higher polyphenols and antioxidants, early harvest oils often have a longer shelf life and may be blended with late harvest oils to improve the shelf life of those late harvest oils.

Late Harvest Olive Oil or Winter Harvest Olive OilThe fruit is picked black and ripe. The fruit may have a little more oil but it is risky because waiting longer into the winter increases the risk the fruit will be damaged by frost. Late harvest or "Winter" fruit is more ripe so like other ripe fruit it has a light, mellow taste with little bitterness and more floral flavours. Flavour notes of peach, melon, perfumy, apple, banana, buttery, fruity, rotund, soave and sweet are often used.

Flavoured Olive OilThese Olive Oils of increasing popularity have been infused with herbs or fruits. Typically flavoured olive oils use a lower quality of olive oil so you must be cautious about these and ALWAYS read the label. The Flavoured Olive Oils found in our site are all made from a base oil of ONLY Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Hand PickedThis refers to olives that are literally individually picked by hand directly from the tree. The argument is that mechanical harvesting can bruise the fruit, which will result in a higher acidity, so to avoid this, olives are carefully picked by hand. Also referred to as "Hand Harvested".

Estate Olive Oil or Single Estate Olive OilOil labelled "Estate Olive Oil" means that all olives were harvested, crushed, and bottled in the same olive grove. These oils are usually produced in small batches and are sought after by consumers for their uniqueness in flavour and profile. Occasionally the term “Single Estate" will be used instead and means the same thing. These oils tend to be more expensive and are of a higher quality.

Mono Varietal Olive OilOil labelled "Mono-Varietal" or “Single Varietal" means that only one type of olive was used to produce that Olive Oil. These oils are often desired for the enjoyment of the most “pure" characteristics and flavours of an individual olive type.

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Designations: PDO, PGI, TSG Some Olive Oils may also have additional designations that certify their growing area of origin. These areas or zones, are determined by the European Union in 1992 to promote and protect regional food products within the EU. This has helped to encourage diverse agricultural production, protect product names from misuse and imitation, and has helped consumers by giving them information concerning the specific character of the products. Similar systems and designations exist in the world of cheese, and wine, (eg VQA wines in Canada).

PDOProtected Denomination of Origin – The Olive Oil must be produced, processed and prepared in a specific region using the area’s traditional production methods. For Spanish Olive Oils you may see DO or "Denominación de Origin". For French Olive Oils you will see AOC or “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée".

PGIProtected Geographical Indication – This designation is slightly less stringent than PDO, but still requires that the product be produced in the specified geographical region. The geographical connection must exist for at least one stage of production, processing or preparation. If only one of the stages of production has taken place in the defined area, it still qualifies as PGI. As an example, the olives may come from another region. This allows for a more flexible connection to the region and can focus on a specific quality, reputation or other characteristic attributable to that geographical origin. In Italy, you may also see these oils labelled as IGP.

TSG
Traditional Speciality Guaranteed – This designation highlights traditional character, either in the Olive Oil’s composition or in its means of production.