EVOO stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and it is:

  •  HEART PROTECTOR
  • VEGAN FRIENDLY
  • NO TRANS-FAT
  • GLUTEN FREE
  • SUGAR-FREE
  • RAW, NATURAL FOOD

 

Which olive oil is considered the highest quality?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest-quality olive oil available. No chemicals are added during the extraction process. Therefore, the oil contains the healthiest maximum nutrients and retains natural flavours.

EVOO has become a vital ingredient globally due to its increased accessibility and growing awareness linked to the Mediterranean diet.

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Table of contents:

  • History
  • Production process
  • Types of EVOO
  • Health benefits of EVOO
  • Drinking olive oil benefits
  • Extra virgin olive oil on skin
  • Extra virgin olive oil on hair
  • Mediterranean cuisine/diet
  • Spanish oil production

History

The olive tree was first planted in Ancient Iran and Mesopotamia about 5000 years ago, and its fruits have been used since then. However, who was the first to learn to extract the oil from the fruit is uncertain.

Olive cultivation was later spread to Egypt and Phoenicia. Ancient Egyptians used the oil for many purposes, such as religious ceremonies, diet, medicine, and beauty. Phoenicians later introduced olive farming to the Mediterranean region. They used olive oil for trading. Later, the Romans produced olive oil on a bigger scale during the Roman Empire.

The Arabs later brought olive varieties to Spain, spread olive cultivation, and improved olive farming techniques. The Spanish language has some Arabic influence as “aceite,” which means oil in Spanish, is derived from the Arab word “azzait”, which means olive juice.

Later, after discovering America, the Spanish introduced olive trees and vines to the area. Olive tree cultivation then spread to places like South Africa and Australia during the 20th century.

Production process

Harvesting olives is one of the most crucial steps. Producing quality EVOO dramatically depends on the ripeness of the olive fruit and the time from picking to extracting the oil must be done on the same day.

Other factors influence the taste, aroma, and the overall quality of the EVOO:

  • Olive variety/cultivar: Many olive varieties worldwide, each with a unique taste.
  • Environment: Soil, climate, and altitude also influence the taste and character of the olives.
  • Production technique: Every step, from collecting to storing olive oil, is important to achieving quality EVOO.

Varieties and regions:

Spain cultivates various types of olives. As mentioned before, Spain has about 262 olive varieties. The number of olive varieties contributes to the uniqueness and diversity of Spanish olive oils. Some popular cultivars include Picual, Arbequina, and Hojiblanca.

It is worth noting that some olive trees are easier to harvest than others. Some olive variety produces more oil than others. Therefore, some olive trees are cultivated mainly for olive consumption rather than EVOO or even for both.

Tradition and trends:

In the past, Spanish farmers prioritised technique improvement for better EVOO quality over marketing, resulting in merchants buying and exporting under different private labels rather than recognising that the oil is made in Spain. Recently, Spain has been heavily promoting its olive oil under the “Made in Spain” brand, which has gained recognition and appreciation for Spanish olive oils in the global market.

Spain’s olive oil exports:

Spain exports olive oil worldwide, including Europe, the United States and Asia. To ensure the integrity of olive oil production and maintain consumer trust worldwide, Spain implements quality control measures to prevent misrepresentation and fraudulent practices.

Conclusion

From ancient civilisations to modern times, EVOO has been appreciated for its rich flavour and versatility. It is so easy to incorporate high-quality EVOO into your daily diet. Furthermore, EVOO has numerous health benefits, such as heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall well-being.