WHAT IS EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL? (EVOO) AND TYPES OF EVOO

Types of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

There are five types of Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

1. Single Varietal Oils: These are obtained from a single variety of olive. Spain cultivates over 200 olive varieties out of a total of 460 known ones, each capable of producing high-quality EVOO. Each variety contributes unique aromas and flavors. Some of the most well-known varieties include Picual, Hojiblanca, Picudo, Arbequina, Pajarero, Manzanilla, Cornicabra, Verdial, and Empeltre, each with its characteristic organoleptic properties.
2. Coupages: These oils are blends of EVOOs from different olive varieties. The blend can be natural (olives from different varieties mixed during harvesting with unknown proportions) or artificial (different known proportions of single varietal oils mixed in the mills).
3. Oils with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): These are obtained from olives grown in a specific geographical area. Typically, the oil is characterized by a specific variety.
4. Organic Oils: These oils are produced using agricultural techniques that maintain soil fertility and balance to obtain healthy and nutritious fruits while promoting a clean environment. Organic production avoids the use of synthetic chemicals, including fertilizers and pest control methods.
5. Early Harvest or "Green" EVOOs: Within the previously mentioned types, EVOOs can be produced from olives harvested early or in the initial stages of ripening. These oils are of higher quality but are more expensive due to the need for a larger quantity of olives to produce one liter of oil and the more labor-intensive harvesting and processing. They are characterized by a striking chlorophyll green color and offer intense fruity aromas, accompanied by a characteristic bitterness and spiciness typical of the variety.

These oils often bear quality seals on their labels, such as Designation of Origin, Organic, Awards received, etc. They may also feature marketing buzzwords to attract consumers, such as Gourmet, Premium, Centennial, Mountain Olive Grove, Artisanal Harvest, Single Varietal Olive, Great Selection, Cold Extraction Systems, Limited Series, etc.

Typically, these limited-production oils are accompanied by an attractive and refined label design, cap, container, and packaging. They prioritize and carefully maintain exquisite quality specific to the region and olive variety, along with an attractive and sometimes exclusive design of the container and packaging, resulting in higher prices. They are well-suited as gifts and appeal to discerning consumers.

It is advisable to buy these types of oils directly from the producer, carefully analyzing the type of packaging and the packaging date. As mentioned before, the quality of the bottled oil depends on the time it has been bottled, the type of packaging, and the storage conditions. Otherwise, the saying "the necklace is worth more than the dog" can be applied. These superior EVOO oils compared to standard EVOO should be purchased at the beginning of the production season, from October to December.

As the olives mature and change from green to purple, the content of polyphenols, a substance that affects sensory characteristics, also changes. Consequently, oils obtained from riper olives (purple olives) have milder aromas, losing some of their fragrance and being gentler on the palate.

The color of the oils also changes depending on the time of olive harvesting. The evolution varies from a green color at the beginning, with various shades depending on the olive variety, to a yellow-gold color as the harvesting progresses, due to a decrease in the chlorophyll and carotenoid content (Brígida Jiménez et al.).

Lastly, it is worth noting that the classification of an Olive Oil involves both chemical and organoleptic analysis and is classified as follows:

PHOTOS

(Source: Olive Oil Tasting - Ifapa)

Green olives produce an AOVE with various shades of green color, depending on the variety, due to their high chlorophyll content.

Ripe purple olives produce an AOVE with a golden yellow hue.