Information About Olive Oil

What does Extra Virgin mean?
Pure healthful olive oil to the highest of standards set by the California Olive Oil Council (certified sensory and chemistry values).

What should I be looking for when I taste olive oil?
Pleasing ​aroma, buttery, grassy, lingering bitterness, intense flavor with a peppery finish. 

What causes olive oil to go bad?
​Heat and light. Always buy EVOO in a dark colored bottle. 

How long does olive oil keep and how should it be stored?
A high polyphenol EVOO can last 40 months or better, if stored properly. Pantry storage is fine.

Why are some oils cloudy, and some have sediment on the bottom?
Sediment might occur from not letting the oil settle long enough. Sometimes the olive oil might have been kept cold, and a wax like sediment settles on the bottom of the bottle. Heating the bottle for a few minutes will dissolve the substance at approximately 105 degrees.  If there is actual sediment in the bottle there is a possibility the oil can become rancid in just a short period of time.  

Is extra virgin olive oil better than other grades of olive oil?
EVOO is the best olive oil in the world, milled to the highest standard. Other oils may not be healthful.

Why do some olive oils cost more than others?
High quality EVOO  requires more intense labor and handling from the tree to the mill. These costs must be passed on to the consumer.

How can I be sure that the oil I'm buying is actually extra virgin?
Sometimes it is impossible to know. In California, look for the COOC (California Olive Oil Council) certification seal on the front of the bottle for sensory and chemistry certification. You MUST read olive oil labels.