These are the types of olive oil that exist

Olive oil is one of the star products of our cuisine and one of the most consumed in our country, with an average of 4.92 liters per person per year. But, Did you know that there are different types of olive oil? 

As established by Regulation (EC) No 1019/2022, currently there are four classes of olive oil recognized in EU legislation: 

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Olive oil
• Pomace olive oil

All of them come from the olive. the main difference between the types of olive oil is the quality, each of them having special characteristics that make them easily identifiable. 

"We tell you the differences between the various types of olive oil according to the regulations." 

Olive oil classes: what are the differences?

The most outstanding is the extra virgin olive oil, which is the highest quality olive oil. Contains 100% olive juice and 0.8% acidity.

This is a oil rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and natural antioxidants, so it is the healthiest type of olive oil. 

Within this category, there are different varieties of extra virgin olive oil depending on the type of olive used to produce it.

Among the best known, we find the Arbequina, the Hojiblanca, and the Picual.

2. Extra virgin olive oil

There the main difference between AOVE and virgin olive oil is in the level of acidity since, while extra virgin cannot exceed 0.8%, virgin has its limit at 2%. This means that the quality of the olives is slightly lower, which will be noticeable in the color, in the flavor, and in the aroma. 

Another difference is that the green and the aroma of the AOVE are more intense, because the olives show no defects. As for the flavor, it is also slightly different, since virgin olive oil does not leave that characteristic pungency and bitterness of AOVE. 

"Otherwise, the method of production is the same, and the juice is also 100% olive." 

There the quality of the olive oil decreases considerably compared to the previous two, since the requirements for its preparation are much lower. 

This type of oil is a blend of virgin olive oil and refined oil. Refined olive oil is virgin olive oil that has undergone a series of chemical processes to remove its flavor and smell. In the final part of the process, a virgin or extra virgin olive oil is added to achieve some flavor.. 

Closes the classification of types of olive oils the olive pomace oil, made from the leftovers that remain after producing the other oils, using the pulp, the skin, and even the bones of the olives which, although it is true that they still retain their flavor, result in a final product of inferior quality. 

These wastes are combined with extra virgin olive oil and other oils obtained through chemical processes with a maximum acidity level of 1.5%. Therefore, although the quality is lower, it is a type of oil suitable for human consumption.

Try the different varieties of extra virgin olive oil with Olivarte

As we have seen, extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality type of olive oil, being the most sought after by oil lovers who only settle for the highest quality. 

If you are one of them, at Olivarte we have the best extra virgin olive oil and with the best brands, being able to choose from a wide variety of oils with different characteristics, but all of them of the highest quality. They will not leave you indifferent and will allow you to enjoy a spectacular gastronomic experience.