Types of Olive Oil and Their Differences

Types of Olive Oil: Complete Guide

Olive oil is an essential product in the Mediterranean diet, known for its numerous health benefits. Below, I will explain the different types of olive oil available in the market, their characteristics, and how they are obtained, so you can understand their differences.

Virgin Olive Oils

These oils are obtained from olives solely through mechanical or physical processes, without the intervention of chemical solvents. They are classified into:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): This is the highest quality olive oil, with a maximum free acidity of 0.8g per 100g and no sensory defects. It is the juice of the finest olives.
Virgin Olive Oil: Inferior in quality to EVOO, it may present slight alterations in its quality parameters. It has a maximum free acidity of 2g per 100g.
Lampante Virgin Olive Oil: Not suitable for human consumption due to its sensory and chemical defects. It needs to be refined for consumption, resulting in Refined Olive Oil.

Non-Virgin Olive Oils

These oils have undergone chemical processes before being suitable for human consumption. They include:

Refined Olive Oil: Obtained from Lampante Virgin Olive Oil through chemical refining. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, with an acidity not exceeding 0.3º.
Olive Oil: A blend of Refined Olive Oil and Virgin Olive Oil, with a proportion that usually does not exceed 20% virgin oil. It is the most commonly consumed type of oil in supermarkets.

Olive Pomace Oils

These oils are obtained from the solid residue derived from the extraction of extra virgin olive oil.

Crude Olive Pomace Oil: Obtained through solvents, it is of very low quality and needs to be refined.
Refined Olive Pomace Oil: Refined from crude pomace oil.
Olive Pomace Oil: A blend of refined olive pomace oil and virgin olive oil, with a maximum acidity of 1º.

In Summary

Knowing the different types of olive oil and their characteristics is essential for making informed purchasing decisions. Extra Virgin Olive Oil stands out for its quality and health benefits, while other types of oil may be more economical but of inferior quality. When choosing an olive oil, consider both the quality and price to get the best product for your needs.