When shopping for olive oil, you’ve likely asked: What is the difference between extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, and refined olive oil?
The answer matters — especially for flavor, health benefits, and cooking performance. Here’s everything you need to know about extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and why it’s considered the highest quality olive oil available.
What does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mean?
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest grade of olive oil available. After production, olive oils are classified according to the standards established by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC), the global authority on olive oil quality and grading.
To be labeled extra virgin, an olive oil must meet strict criteria. It must have an acidity level of 0.8% or lower and be extracted exclusively through mechanical methods, without the use of heat or chemical refining. In addition, it must pass rigorous sensory evaluations, meaning it contains no taste or aroma defects and reflects the natural flavor of fresh olives.
Low acidity is a key indicator of quality. It signals that the olives were harvested at the right time, quickly transported to the mill, and carefully processed to preserve freshness. In short, extra virgin olive oil represents purity, craftsmanship, and superior taste.
What makes olives oil extra virgin?
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is made using a process known as cold extraction, or cold pressing. This method relies exclusively on mechanical processes to extract the oil from fresh olives, without the use of excessive heat, chemical solvents, or refining techniques. By avoiding high temperatures and industrial processing, the oil preserves its natural integrity from grove to bottle.
Because no heat or chemicals are involved, EVOO retains its valuable nutrients and natural compounds, including polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin E, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. These components are responsible for both the flavor complexity and the widely recognized health benefits of extra virgin olive oil.
This careful extraction process is what makes extra virgin olive oil one of the healthiest cooking oils available, prized for its purity, stability, and nutritional value.
Extra Virgin Olive oil Smoke point
One of the biggest myths is that you shouldn’t cook with EVOO.
In reality, high-quality extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of around 410°F, making it ideal for sautéing, roasting, and even frying.
Recent studies have debunked concerns that EVOO becomes unsafe when heated. Research published in Acta Scientific Nutritional Health found that EVOO is one of the most stable oils when heated, producing fewer harmful compounds than many refined vegetable oils.
In fact, research led by olive oil expert Selina Wang, PhD, showed that EVOO remains one of the most stable cooking oils under heat.
Can you fry with extra virgin olive oil?
To put It simply, yes of course you can. Frying with EVOO has been a part of Mediterranean culture for centuries, and all evidence has proved it to be one of the safest oils to use. Not to mention it’s also the tastiest oil out there, so there are only benefits to cooking and frying with EVOO.
Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil good for you?
Yes, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is widely recognized for its health benefits. Numerous studies have shown that incorporating EVOO into your daily diet can support overall wellness and long-term health.
Because EVOO is cold-pressed and unrefined, it preserves powerful natural compounds such as polyphenols, plant-based antioxidants known for their protective properties. It also contains anti-inflammatory compounds and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which are considered beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Extra virgin olive oil is a central component of the Mediterranean diet, a dietary pattern associated with improved heart health, reduced inflammation, better metabolic balance, and increased longevity. By choosing high-quality EVOO for cooking and finishing your meals, you’re not only enhancing flavor — you’re also supporting a healthier lifestyle.
Read more about the health benefits of EVOO
Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs Olive Oil : What are the differences?
Both Virgin and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil come from the same extraction method, cold pressing, so what is it that separates them? It is all down to the level of acidity, for whilst EVOO has a maximum acidity value of 0.8, Virgin Oil almost goes up to double that with an acidity that can be no more than 2.0. So, whilst Virgin Olive Oil will still similarly retain a high level of antioxidants and polyphenols, it differs due to the fact it may have a few defects, such as its taste, unlike the EVOO.
What Do We Mean by Acidity of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
The acidity of an Oil comes from a wide range of factors, mostly to do with the actual Olives themselves. There are several contributing natural factors such as, the variety of Olive or the different weather conditions they are exposed to etc.
However, one of the more defining features is the olives natural breakdown process after having been picked, and how it reacts to the oxidisation process. Although acidity has little to no correlation to the overall taste, it does have a correlation to quality, the lower the acidity the higher the quality of Olive Oil.
What Makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil Price More Expensive?
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) often costs more than vegetable oils or refined olive oils because producing premium EVOO demands exceptional care and expertise. From year-round orchard management and hand or early harvesting to immediate mechanical extraction without refining, every step is designed to preserve quality.
Strict sensory testing and quality control ensure that only the finest oils reach your table. Choosing EVOO means investing in craftsmanship, freshness, and superior quality rather than just buying oil.
What Makes the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
The best extra virgin olive oil combines low acidity, a fresh harvest date, mechanical extraction only, transparent sourcing, and a balanced flavor profile. At Oliviers&Co, we partner directly with Mediterranean olive growers who are experts in high-quality EVOO. For over 25 years, these close relationships with producers and millers have allowed us to deliver oils that meet the highest standards.
Shop our range of Extra Virgin Olive Oils here
