How much does a litre of oil weigh?
Common belief might lead you to think that it's the same as a liter of water, but the reality is quite different. Why? Because to calculate the weight of a liter of oil, you need to consider the ambient temperature, since the density of oil can vary significantly depending on temperature changes.
Generally, extra virgin olive oil has a density of about 0.92 kg when exposed to a temperature of 20ºC, as established by the UN's international system, and this is the measure we should focus on to calculate the weight of this liquid. Because, if you didn't know, some liquids weigh more than others.
How much does a liter of extra virgin olive oil weigh?
To calculate the weight of a liter of oil, we use density:
Weight = Volume × Density
Since a liter is equivalent to 1000 milliliters, assuming an ambient temperature of 20ºC, the weight of 1 liter of oil would be approximately 0.92 kg (920 grams), and this is because oil has a lower density than water, which explains why when we pour oil into water, it floats.
Therefore, a 5-liter container of EVOO would weigh about 4.58 kilograms, you can check this yourself by weighing it on a scale.
Does the weight of 1 liter of oil vary with temperature?
The answer is yes, the weight of a liter of oil changes with temperature. In fact, temperature is the only factor that can affect the density of olive oil, causing it to expand or contract.
For example, if you take a liter of oil from a fryer at 200ºC, it will weigh 800 grams, while at a temperature of 0ºC, it will weigh 1.5% more, or in other words, 929 grams.
Does the weight of olive oil vary by type?
In this case, the answer is no. The weight of a kilogram of extra virgin olive oil will be the same as that of regular olive oil, as well as any other type of oil, including olive pomace oil.
The reason is that weight is the combination of fatty acids contained in the oil, which is virtually the same in all oils, regardless of quality.
Likewise, the weight also does not change from one variety of oil to another, and a liter will weigh the same in any of the more than 250 varieties of EVOO that exist.
Olive oil density: What does it depend on?
The weight of a liter of oil depends on density, which can vary depending on the type of olive used to produce the oil, which directly affects its final consistency. Likewise, the production process and transformation of olives also influence density.
During these stages, various technical and chemical factors play a crucial role in the final density of olive oil, as well as the climatic and environmental conditions under which olives are grown.
That said, knowing the density of olive oil is fundamental to guarantee the authenticity and quality of the product, especially when buying in bulk, to ensure it is not adulterated with other oils.
Density is a key indicator of purity, as authentic olive oil should have a density of approximately 0.917 grams per milliliter, at a temperature between 16 and 17ºC. However, this measurement may vary slightly depending on the olive variety and production process.
To verify the authenticity of olive oil, in addition to measuring its density, a simple test can be performed with water. By placing olive oil in a transparent container with water, the oil should float on top of the water if it is pure. If it contains other products, different distinct layers will form, which will be visible