Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Extra Virgin or Extra Virginn)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an unrefined oil that is the highest quality olive oil you can buy. There are very specific standards that oil must meet in order to receive the label 'Extra Vergine'.

Because of the way Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made, it retains more of the true olive flavor and has a lower oleic acid content than olive oil.

The oleic acidity indicates the degree to which fat has been broken down into fatty acids. Extra Vergine has a maximum acidity of 1 compared to 3-4 with normal olive oil..   

It also contains more of the natural vitamins and minerals such as the important antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that make Extra Virgin Oil so special.

Extra Virgine Olive Oil is considered an unrefined oil because it has not been treated with chemicals or changed by temperature. 

Itusually has a golden green color, with a pronounced taste and a light peppery finish. Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil tickles your throat if you swallow it pure, sometimes you can even cough.

Plain Olive Oil or "pure" Olive Oil

You also recognize oil as plain olive oil or pure olive oil - this is what we would consider 'regular' olive oil. This oil is usually oneblend of virgin olive oil and refined olive oil (heat and / or chemicals are used in the extraction of oil and the removal of flaws in the fruit.

Pure olive oil is a lower quality oil than extra virgin olive oil, with a lighter color, more neutral flavor and oleic acid between 3-4. This type of olive oil is an all-purpose baking oil. 

 

Cook:

While you can cook with extra virgin olive oil, it has a lower boiling point than many other oils, which means it burns at a lower temperature. On our site we sell extra virgin Olive oil with a high boiling point, making it suitable for cooking / baking.