Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVOO, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVOO has only really existed for a few years. The reason is that olive oil mills have always believed that to extract the maximum oil from the olives, heat was necessary. However, recent studies have shown that this was a huge mistake. By applying heat during extraction, those microcomponents that truly differentiate EVOO from simple olive oil are lost, particularly Vitamins and Polyphenols.

Additionally, oleic acid also “suffers” and as a result, the acidity level of the EVOO rises, eventually exceeding 0.8 degrees, at which point it loses the right to be called EVOO.

And as we might imagine, not only are flavor and aroma adversely affected, but its health benefits are also significantly reduced by the heat extraction process, particularly the regulation of cholesterol by oleic acid, and the antioxidant effects of polyphenols.

Therefore, the mills that take care of their EVOO always extract cold, below 27 degrees. Naturally, less oil is extracted, but its quality is much higher, and so too is its price, of course.

Buying Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Therefore, the purchase of extra virgin olive oil is less simple than it seems. We will not only look for brands and varieties that have been recommended to us, but we will also take care to read the labels to ensure its origin, variety or year of harvest and production.

The origin is important because we constantly see fraud where mixed oils are sold as EVOO, some not even being from olives!

Moreover, never buy EVOO that is not from the current harvest (around November) as olive oil, unlike wine, loses its qualities naturally as it ages.

We will also care about the container and avoid plastic or clear glass bottles, as light affects it. Good extra virgin olive oils are sold in well-opaque bottles.

And, of course, if we can, we should taste it. A good EVOO is drinkable! Like a fruit juice, it must be pleasant in the mouth and emit fresh aromas. Additionally, it should be somewhat pungent and bitter because these are positive attributes reflecting its freshness. And at the slightest sign of rancidity, discard it.

Where to Buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

With all this, we will avoid large supermarkets and will focus on Gourmet stores on the street or online stores like Aceitedelcampo.com where extensive and detailed information about each EVOO is offered.

An interesting and perhaps underutilized resource is to be guided by international competitions. These are promotional events where EVOOs compete, and importantly, the juries are often prestigious sommeliers and chefs, and the tastings are blind, making the results reliable and often surprising!

Olive Oil pricing

Unfortunately, due to the disastrous recent harvests, the price of olive oil in general has skyrocketed worldwide, doubling in less than two years. Climate change, with extreme temperatures and droughts, has been disastrous.

Fortunately, in the face of adversity, humans tend to learn quickly, and crops have adapted with water conservation techniques, and it is expected that the upcoming harvests will be good.

That said, the current price of a 500ml bottle of a good EVOO should not be below 15 euros. Otherwise, be suspicious…

¿Cuál es el mejor aceite de oliva Virgen Extra?

A partir del precio que comentamos antes existen muchos excelentes aceites de oliva virgen extra, la mayoría de España. Sorprendentemente no es fácil encontrarlos en el mercado de calle, ya que hasta hace bien poco se consideraba al aceite de oliva como un producto que debía ser barato, y en consecuencia, el público no estaba dispuesto a pagar 15-20 euros por una botella de 500ml. En consecuencia nuestros mejores AOVE se destinaban, y por desgracia sigue siendo así, a la exportación.

Sin embargo, como decíamos antes, desde hace unos años la percepción del comprador ha evolucionado, y a través de tiendas como la nuestra, estos preciados zumos empiezan a tener salida y comercializarse.

Entre ellos, debemos destacar los muy internacionalmente premiados, Oro del Desierto, Rincón de la Subbética, Castillo de Canena, Palacio de los Olivos y Oro Bailén.