What is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is a type of oil that is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree. It can be mixed with vinegar, lemon juice, and spices to create various dressings. Olive oil can also be used as a substitute for butter or other fats in many food applications.
There are four main types of olive oil:
- Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- Virgin olive oil
- Pure olive oil
- Light olive oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Extra virgin olive oil, often referred to as EVOO, is the highest quality olive oil. EVOO has a distinct fruity flavor with bitter and peppery notes and a greenish hue (due to chlorophyll content). It is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, including Vitamin E.
According to the USDA United States Grade Standards for Olive Oil and Olive-Pomace Oil, in order to qualify as extra virgin, the olive oil must meet specific standards, both chemically and sensory. It must have:
- a free fatty acid content (oleic acid) ≤ 0.8 grams per 100 grams (0.8%)
- a peroxide value ≤ 20 milliequivalents of active oxygen/kg oil
- superior organoleptic characteristics including:
- Median Of Defect = 0
- Median Of The Fruity > 0
- Yellow to Green in color
- Odor and Flavor quality of “Excellent”
Olive Oil Distributor & Supplier Information
For questions regarding olive oil pricing, including extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), fill out the price request form linked below. For complete technical specifications and other inquiries, please contact one of our sales representatives.
Contact A Sales Rep Price Request Form