5 Different Types of Olive Oils To Know

SINGAPORE - July 31, 2021 - PRLog -- Discerning the types of olive oils can be challenging for most. This is because olive oils have methods of categorization. They are usually classified based on procedures and features. Every olive oil type has its own flavour and physicochemical profile. We will introduce some of the culinary olive oils here.

5 Types of Olive Oils

Olive oil is usually classified by the extraction method and quality (with regard to taste and free fatty acidity). The following are the various types of olive oil we usually produce.

1. Mechanically extracted Olive oils

Olive oils that are produced through mechanical means are the most natural type of olive oil. They are simply obtained by pressing without the use of any chemical additions during extraction. Virgin olive oils are produced in this manner.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The best commercial grade of olive oil comes with a sizable amount of polyphenols that are known to provide major health benefits. With a free fatty acidity level that is below 0.8%, it comes with a superior smell & taste and can be sold directly to consumers. Extra virgin olive oil (https://oliveoil-people.com/shopevoo) is often used for salads as a dressing but has a broad culinary application.

Virgin Olive Oil

This olive oil is a grade lower than the extra virgin variant. It comes with free fatty acidity between 0.8% and 2% and has a pleasant flavour and scent. It is also sold directly to consumers. It is useful for sauteing and frying purposes.

Lampante Virgin Olive Oil

With free fatty acid content exceeding 3.3% by weight, it usually comes from badly conserved olives & is rancid. Thus, it is not sold commercially to consumers & requires further processing to remove the defects. It is refined by treating it with heat, filtration, and/or chemical processes to reduce rancidity. However, this destroys most of the polyphenols(where the taste & health benefits come from).

Refined Olive Oil

The resulting refined product of lampante virgin olive oil is much tasteless or colourless. It is blended with virgin olive oil for some flavour and aroma before the commercial sale. Blended refined olive oil is sold on shelves as pure olive oil.

2. Chemically extracted Olive oils

After mechanically extracted oil have been drawn out from the olives, remnants left behind known as olive pomace has residual olive oil. This oil can only be extracted through the use of chemical solvents. A product known as raw olive pomace olive oil is obtained. Raw olive pomace oil needs refining and is not available to consumers.

Refined Olive Pomace Oil

Having an acidity of not more than 1%, pure olive oil is a blend of refined olive oil and virgin olive oils that has a flavour fit for consumption.