Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the highest grade and purest quality olive oil available. Industry standards for the extra-virgin grade require 100% purity; EVOO is unadulterated oil from olives using no chemicals or heat to extract oil from the fruit purity and a free fatty acid content no greater than 0.08%.
In addition to chemical testing, the oil must also meet a organoleptic standard, with no defects of aroma or flavor, and a positive taste of green or ripe olives.
While there are many olive oils that claim to be true extra-virgin, few brands found on store shelves actually make the grade when tested, and fewer still are unfiltered or first cold-pressed, using ancient techniques and equipment to produce olive oil truly unhindered by true extra-virgin olive oils have been throughout history.
