What Makes Good Olive Oil?

Pure Olive Oil and Light Olive Oil are not as the names indicate. The former is considered lower quality produced using refining processes, while the latter is merely lighter in colour and flavour and is not low in fat content as some people might think.

When you next visit the supermarket for a good olive oil read the labels, which should be clearly marked and graded by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC).

A good quality olive oil starts with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), which is a superior grade of olive oil that is produced from the first pressing of olives by physical means, or centrifugation, and it cannot contain any refined oils. Also, it has less than 0.8% acidity (FFA).

For centuries health experts have advocated the consumption of olive oil in preference to other edible oils. Extra Virgin Olive Oil has more antioxidants and may reduce the production of bad cholesterols, alleviate digestive problems and also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.

Then there’s Virgin Olive Oil, which is similar to Extra Virgin, but with slightly higher acidity (less than 2%). Likewise, Virgin Olive Oil cannot contain any refined oil.

Then we come to the common blended Olive Oil, which is often cheaper because it contains mainly refined oils blended with virgin olive oil. This adds a milder flavour and mild aroma and is up to 3.3% free acidity. Pure Olive Oil is good for cooking and frying and contains less antioxidants.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil should display fruity characteristics as it is a natural olive fruit juice. Good oils should have a good balance of fruitiness, bitterness and pungency and above all should be fresh.

Australians grow their own olives in certain parts of the country. One of the most respected growers is the Pukara Estate in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The cool winters allow the olive trees to rest and recuperate before the long hot summer that follows and these climatic conditions, as well as the terrain, provide the perfect environment to grow premium quality olives.

Pukara Estate has won numerous respected awards around Australia for their products since 2003 which demonstrates their distinctive quality. They distribute their products throughout Australia to gourmet and fine food stockists, including the online gourmet and fine food shop Australian Tru Blue, where in a couple of clicks you can purchase a wide range of premium olive oils for every special dining occasion.