Olive oil quality grading

©Anton Jv Rensburg

Herewith the IOOC’s full classification of what olive oil is: (International Olive Oil Council)

‘Olive oil is the oil obtained solely from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.), to the exclusion of oils obtained using solvents or re-esterification processes and of any mixture with oils of other kinds.
It is marketed in accordance with the following designations and definitions:
Virgin olive oils are the oils obtained from the fruit of the olive tree solely by mechanical or other physical means under conditions, particularly thermal conditions, that do not lead to alterations in the oil, and which have not undergone any treatment other than washing, decantation, centrifugation and filtration.

The following terms are important to understand the basic terminology used on the Olive oil bottles:

Virgin =

-Oil was produced by the use of physical means
-No chemical treatment

Refined =

-Oil chemically treated

Olive-pomace oil =

-Oil extracted from the pomace using chemical solvents and heat

And thus:

1. Extra virgin olive oil: Purest

∙ From the first pressing of the olives
∙ Free acidity ≤ 0.8 gr/100 gr
∙ If you see an ‘extra virgin oil’ that’s very cheap proceed with caution. Make sure it's a sale and not a rip-off

2. Virgin olive oil: Very pure

∙ Free acidity ≤ 2 gr/100 gr

3. Ordinary virgin olive oil: Pure

∙ Free acidity ≤ 3,3 gr/100 gr
Note: Although this oil is regarded as safe for human consumption it is not allowed as that in some countries. Remember that there is still no detrimental chemical or heat process involved here.

4. Refined olive oil: Refining methods applied

∙ Oil obtained from virgin olive oils by refining methods
∙ Free acidity ≤ 0.3 gr/100 gr
Note: Although this oil is regarded as safe for human consumption it is not allowed as that in some countries.

5. Olive oil: Blend

∙ Blend of refined olive oil and virgin olive oils
∙ Free acidity ≤ 2 gr/100 gr
Note: Although this oil is regarded as safe for human consumption it is not allowed as that in some countries.

6. Olive-pomace oil: Treated oil

∙ Olive pomace treated with solvents or other physical treatments
∙ Several variants exist
a) Crude olive-pomace oil
b) Refined olive pomace oil
c) Olive pomace oil: (May not be labeled as ‘Olive oil’)
Note: Although this oil is regarded as safe for human consumption it is not allowed as that in some countries.