Essentials of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: What You Need to Know

Standing in front of the olive oil section in your local grocery store can be quite a confusing experience: Extra virgin, virgin or just plain “olive oil?” Imported or domestic? $4.99 or $14.99? With the plethora of labels and terms used to market olive oil, it is important to understand what Extra Virgin really means in order to make an informed purchase.

Overview

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the closest to the real olive – sort of like fresh squeezed orange juice made from oranges just picked off the tree. EVOO starts with high quality fruit that is mechanically extracted (not extracted using heat or chemical solvents) and actually tastes and smells like olives! Sounds simple enough, but, unfortunately, a lot of people are used to olive oil that is not really olive oil – or at least not really extra virgin olive oil.

Read on to learn more about the wonderful world of olive oil!

Labeling Olive Oil With a lot of mis-labeled olive oil on the market, it’s important to know what to look for before purchasing.
In The Orchard – Good olive oil starts with good fruit.
Flavors & Styles – Similar to wine, different varieties of olives produce different styles of oils.
Tasting EVOO – Not sure what to look for when tasting olive oil? This short course will get you started!
Storing EVOO – Proper storage is key to maintaining the integrity of premium extra virgin olive oil.
Using EVOO – Now that you’ve made your purchase, it’s time to enjoy it!
Recipes – Check out our recipe section for great recipes using Belle Farms Extra Virgin Olive Oil