Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Olive Oils Explained

By Tom Allen

Olive oils are made from a variety of different olive trees, the most common in Tuscany being frantoio, leccino and moraiolo. Some olive oils are "single-estate oils," that is, an oil from a single variety of olive. Many olive oils are a mix of several varieties of olives and the result will change according to the proportion used.

Olive oils differ from other oils because they are extracted from a fruit, not a grain or seed. To get the perfect balance between the oil and acidity, the best olive oils are made from hand picked olives just before they turn ripe.

Essentially, it is 'fresh squeezed' from the fruit of the olive tree, without alteration of the color, taste, and nutrients or vitamins. Depending on distinctions such as growing region and the crop`s condition, the flavor, color and fragrance of olive oils can vary dramatically.

Frequently, chlorophyll or other coloring agents are added to achieve a robust green color that, though mistakenly believed by many to be the indication of real extra virgin, is practically never seen in the bona fide item. With few exceptions, unadulterated extra virgin oil is primarily golden in color.

Harvesting the fruits in the proper manner is essential to maintaining purity. One of the most critical factors in making high quality olive oil is the time that elapses between harvesting the olive and extracting its oil. Modern olive orchards such as those in Australia are generally better equipped than traditional European farms to harvest olives on time and have them processed quickly.

Like wines, extra virgin olive oils can vary dramatically in taste, depending upon the producer of the oil, the type and quality of the fruit that is pressed, the time of harvest, the weather during the growing season, and the region (nature of the soil) from which the olives were produced.

To produce the highest quality olive oil, olives must be handpicked one by one. Top quality oil is a handcrafted product and the price will reflect that.

Olive oils will go rancid more quickly if stored in a warm environment, and light hastens the loss of the health giving vitamin E like compound tocopherol over the shelf life of the oil. The oils should be stored in a dark and cool environment to ensure that they maintain their quality and aroma.

Every grade has a distinct quality and flavor, making each suitable for different uses and cooking methods. The International Olive Oil Council (IOOC) sets quality standards that most olive-oil-producing countries use, but the United States does not legally recognize these benchmarks.

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