The term ‘pure olive oil’ raises questions — even for us! Is it the same as extra virgin olive oil? And how can you actually tell if an olive oil is truly pure? Time to dive into it, so you don’t have to. What is pure olive oil? Below we answer the key questions that we and others often struggle with.
What is the purest olive oil?
When people talk about “pure olive oil,” they often mean the purest olive oil. Take extra virgin olive oil, for instance — of the different types of olive oil, it’s the best olive oil. It’s called extra virgin (or extra “maiden”) because it’s untouched, unprocessed, and 100% natural. It’s cold-pressed directly and not treated with chemicals or heat. However, there can still be big differences in quality between extra virgin olive oils.
Take our extra virgin olive oil, for example. It’s single origin, which means the olive oil in your bottle or tin comes from one olive grove and thus one farmer. It’s also from a single harvest year. Plus, no other (olive) oils are added to our extra virgin olive oil. At Gkazas Olive Oil, we stay true to this authentic process, giving our oil its rich, natural flavor. That’s the purest olive oil!
How can you tell if olive oil is pure?
A great question — there are several ways to identify pure olive oil. The first is by checking the acidity level. For extra virgin olive oil, it must be below 0.8%, and ours is even between 0.2% and 0.5%. Still, we don’t think this is the best method.
The best way is to taste the olive oil. Some experts can evaluate this by identifying positive characteristics (attributes) and negative ones (defects). There are three main parameters: fruitiness, bitterness, and the peppery sensation in the throat. Practice makes perfect — so buy and taste lots of olive oils!
The very best method is to “look” at the taste through sensory analysis, like we do. We have our oil tested by one of the world’s best panels of olive oil sommeliers. You’ll get a flavor profile that clearly shows the attributes and indicates any defects. That’s the most reliable way to know if your olive oil is truly pure!
Is 100% pure olive oil the same as extra virgin olive oil?
That depends again — what do you mean by pure olive oil? We sometimes see the term ‘pure olive oil’ on labels. But upon closer inspection, it turns out to be regular olive oil. That means it’s a lower-quality oil than extra virgin, as it’s blended with lower-grade oils. That’s something you don’t want! Extra virgin olive oil, on the other hand, comes from the first pressing of olives and contains no additives whatsoever.
How much does a liter of pure extra virgin olive oil cost?
The price of pure olive oil depends on several factors, such as the type, quality, origin, and production process. Since extra virgin olive oil is the highest-quality olive oil, the price is generally higher than standard “pure olive oil.”
Let’s take a look at a liter of pure extra virgin olive oil from Crete. Our 1-liter olive oil tin costs around €25. And believe us, since we pay fair prices to everyone in the production chain — the farmer, the press, the tin manufacturer, and transport — it simply can’t be done for less. Unless you buy it straight from a farmer in Crete, of course!
We can’t say for sure how this compares to olive oil from other countries like Spain or Italy. However, the production process and associated costs are probably similar. So we don’t think you’ll be able to get a liter of truly pure extra virgin olive oil for much less than €25!
Is pure olive oil good for you?
If you’ve got your hands on (organic) extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality, then yes — olive oil is healthy. It’s packed with healthy unsaturated fats, polyphenols, antioxidants, and vitamins. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Yes indeed, a spoonful of olive oil a day keeps the doctors away! Isn’t it wonderful when food is both delicious and healthy?
What is pure olive oil? The conclusion.
So, what is pure olive oil? The most common definition is organic, extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality. One that’s produced fairly, with care for people and the planet. It contains everything you want — flavor, purity, and quality — and nothing you don’t. Honest, pure, and full of good vibes — just like life should be!
