Supermarket’s shelves are full of olive oils. But not all of them are the same. When we go shopping, we must read the product category on the label. Extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil and olive oil are not the same. What’s the difference?
Extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is the best quality oil that we can find. It’s a natural olive juice: a juice obtained directly from olives and only by mechanical means. So, no refining process has taken place nor any additive is used. Moreover, extra virgin olive oil is an olive oil without defects. Its maximum acidity is 0,8%.
Virgin olive oil
As the previous category, virgin olive oil is also a natural olive juice. But in this case, the oil has some defect. That’s why it can’t be called “extra”. Its maximum acidity is 0,8%.
Olive oil
An olive oil is a blend of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils. It’s an olive oil of lower category, because it has undergone a refining process which makes it suitable for consumption but which also reduces its aroma, flavor and healthy properties.
