Packaging Questions
The stoppers on the 500 mL bottles we use are specially designed to prevent exposing the oil to excessive oxygen, which shortens the life of the olive oil. They can be a little tricky to open initially. This video will walk you through opening our EVOO bottle the first time.
The 2 and 5-liter bag-n-box product options are great for people using our EVOO for cooking or having it on the table. This video will walk you through opening our EVOO bag-n-box for the first time.
What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)?
Olive oils are labeled based on their extraction processes and acidity. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is made from pure olives, whereas regular olive oil is a blend, including both cold-pressed and processed oils. EVOO is the highest-quality type, as it’s made through a process called cold pressing, where oil is extracted from olives using pressure and not heated over a specific temperature.
EVOO is made by grinding olives into a paste, then pressing them to extract the oil. There's no heat involved, hence the "cold-pressed" label. The resulting oil has a forest-green color; a grassy, peppery flavor; and a fruity aroma. Cold pressing, while time consuming, is the best way to keep olives' healthy antioxidants and monounsaturated fats in the oil. It also keeps the most olive flavor and has a lower acidity. Certifying the product pure EVOO is also a rigorous, time-consuming process. These factors contribute to the oil's higher price.
A cold-pressed oil that doesn't meet extra-virgin standards is refined (chemically treated) to get rid of undesirable impurities, giving the oil a more neutral flavor and lighter color. It's then blended with a bit of EVOO to produce what's labeled as just "olive oil."
Benefits of EVOO
Polyphenols, in general, are a category of plant compounds that offers various health benefits. Abundant in olive oil are polyphenolic compounds such as Oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and their derivatives.
They can act as antioxidants, meaning they can neutralize harmful free radicals that would otherwise damage your cells and increase your risk of conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Polyphenols are also thought to reduce inflammation, which is thought to be the root cause of many chronic illnesses.
