Types and Grades

The Types and Grades of Olive Oil

The olive oil is taking out of the fruit of the olive and categorized into one of two main groups.

Virgin olive oil. Virgin olive oil is oil that was not treated chemically and was formed by physical resources.
Refined olive oil. Refined olive oil is oil that was treated chemically in order to reduce the effect of the acid contained in the oil and the pungent taste. Refined olive oil is viewed as an inferior quality of olive oil compared to virgin oil. Oils with the retail labels extra-virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil cannot contain any refined oil.
Olive pomace oil. This is an oil extracted from the pomace using solvents, mostly hexane, and by heat.

In the United States, olive oil is graded on a four point system: flavor, odor, acidity, and the lack of defects. The olive oil is categorized in the following groups: Extra Virgin Olive Oil has excellent odor and flavor and has a free fatty acid content of .08/100 grams. The Virgin Olive Oil has good odor and flavor and has a free fatty acid content of 2/100 grams or less. Olive oil is defined as virgin oil that is a mixture of refined and virgin oils. Refined olive oil is made from the refined oils and has some restrictions concerning the processing.

The International Olive Council sets the grades for other countries. The International Olive Council classifies the olive oil into four basic grades. The extra virgin olive oil is defined as having an acidity level of less than 0.8%. It is also rated to have excellent taste. Only virgin oil production makes extra virgin olive oil. The virgin olive oil grade is defined as having an acidity level of less than two percent. The olive oil is rated to have good taste. Only virgin oil production makes virgin olive oil. The pure olive oil grade is defined as a mixture of virgin and refined production oil. Olive oil is defined as a mixture of refined and virgin production oil that had an acidity level of less than 1.5%. Generally, this olive oil mixture has a poor flavor.