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The Most Frequently Asking Question

What is the meaning of OliveOilsLand® and Logo ?

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We produce seven kinds Olive Oil and thirteen kinds Table Olives. Besides, we supply many kind of Olive Oil and Table Olives according to our customers’ demand. Due to Olive Oil and Table Olives production and export is the only our job, we named OliveOilsLand® of our company name. Our Logo means that century-old olive tree in the olive orchard tells we are Olive Oil and Table Olives manufacturer and an old company .

Extra virgin (EV) olive oil is the oil extracted from fresh olives using a mechanical process without the use of excessive heat or any form of additives or solvents. Provided that the olives are free from disease and they are processed into oil without delay using a clean mill they should produce an olive oil that has an aroma and flavour that is free of taste defects and as such is of extra virgin grade. It should be noted that EV oils can be legitimately made without using a press. In fact, most EV olive oils made in commercial relevant quantities are not made by pressing but instead by centrifugation of the paste made by crushing olives. What pressing and centrifugation have in common is that they are both mechanical processes and neither involves the use of any chemical agents. The heat bit is more of a technical issue. You can extract more oil out of olive paste if you heat it up. However, the quality of the oil will suffer as a result. The application of some heat is necessary in order to extract commercially viable amounts of oil with good aroma and flavour. 28-30 degrees Celsius is the ideal with 32 degrees Celsius being the upper end of the temperature range used by most producers interested in quality. The process of making olive oil includes first crushing of the olive and then pressing to produce the oil. The “Extra” in EVOO represents the absolute highest grade for olive oil. Olive oils can be characterized based on their acidity. “Extra” virgin olive oil has less than 0.8% free fatty acids (FFA) as compared to “Virgin” olive oil which can contain as much as 2%. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the most refined in flavor and contains the highest amount of antioxidants.

Extra virgin olive oil is essentially the naturally extracted juice from fresh olives. The olives are crushed into a paste, and the oil is physically extracted from this paste without the use of chemicals or excessive heat. Extra virgin olive oil has a distinctive olive fruity aroma and flavour and it contains natural antioxidants. The aroma and flavour, of olive oil adds complementary flavours to a wide variety of dishes. 'Pure' and 'light' and those labeled "olive oil" are olive oils that have been refined. Refining is a complex process that involves the use of acids, alkalis, steam and other agents. The refining process removes all of the aroma and flavour substances out of olive including its natural antioxidants. Artificial antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and the related compound butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) need to be added back to give the refined olive oil a reasonable shelf life. As such, unlike extra virgin olive oil, Pure and Lite olive oil lack the aroma, flavour and any form of bitterness and pepperiness. In fact the word light only refers to the light color, aroma and flavour of these oils.

Pomace olive oil is the cheapest grade of olive oil available on the market and is the only olive oil that is extracted using solvents. The production of extra virgin olive oil results in the production of a waste material called pomace which consists of the mashed up skins, seeds and pulp of the olive minus most of the water and oil which has been removed. Due to extraction inefficiencies, the pomace contains small, albeit commercially viable amounts of olive oil. The pomace is dried by heating and the remnant oil is dissolved by using the solvent hexane. The solvent is boiled off (and re-used) to leave a crude oil called pomace oil. This oil is then refined using the same process used to produce pure and light oils. The result? A bland characterless olive oil that is low in antioxidants. The positives? Pomace is notoriously difficult to compost down so pomace heaps have the potential to contaminate surface and ground water. So processing pomace can have some environmental advantages. The negatives? The initial heating process has the potential to produce carcinogenic substances called PAH‟s which are not completely removed by refining

Absolutely not. All olive oils (and indeed all edible oils) have almost identical energy values. The word light is made in the context of them having light aroma, flavour and colour.

The question is not particularly relevant in light of the way extra virgin olive oil is made today. The vast majority of extra virgin olive oil produced throughout the world is done so without using a traditional olive oil press. Nearly all extra virgin olive oil is made using high speed centrifuges which spin the lighter olive oil away from the other heavier components of the olive such as water and pulp. As such, the term as it was first coined has little relevance today

Absolutely not. Here is one case where the use of traditional methods do not guarantee the highest quality. Most olive oil experts would agree that the modern continuous system favoured by most of the world's commercial olive producers result in more consistent defect free oils with as good or better aroma and flavour than what would be achieved by pressing with a mat press. The reason is simple. By their nature, the mats used in traditional presses are absorbent and therefore retain oil after being used. As cleaning the mats to a near new 'spotless' standard is impractical in most larger scale commercial environments, most mats will eventually contain oil that is either rancid or has a fermented taste character. All subsequent oil produced from those same will also display these undesirable taste defects. Having said that some traditional mat producers do maintain impeccable standards, and as such the oils that they produce have pristine flavours. This is usually the case when a producer is using mat press to exclusively process their own olives. Furthermore, the modern centrifugal methods expose the olive paste and oil to less oxygen. This helps preserve the natural healthful antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil. For reasons of oil quality, consistency and mill efficiencies, in most of Europe and in the “new world”, the continuous (centrifuge) method of extracting oil has now become standard practice to extract oils that the majority of consumers will eventually use.

Despite what the label says, it probably has not. Most of the world's commercial oils are made with a centrifuge the Extra Virgin Olive Oil you purchase is likely to have been made with a centrifuge. While centrifugation is the best way to make high quality healthy Olive Oil, the widespread acceptance of the term “Cold Pressed” by the Olive Oil buying public means that most producers are very reluctant to discard the term in fear of losing sales. In short, removal of the words cold pressed from an olive oil bottle is (currently) commercial suicide. A number processors are now using the more correct term cold extracted to reflect the use of modern processing methods. Ok, we know what you are thinking. Commercial production means large scale. Right? Well no. In both the world's largest producer (with over 1,000,000 tonnes) and Australia (12,000 tonnes) and the US (1,000 tonnes), centrifuges dominate. Over 80% of processing plants in Spain comprise modern 2 phase centrifuges. Even higher in Australia and the US. Yes, Italy is still having a large number of presses but the volumes of oil made from them are very small and they are rarely found outside Italy (or indeed the region where they are made). It is almost certain that any Italian olive oil you can purchase in a supermarket is extracted using a centrifuge.

Most extra virgin olive oils naturally contain higher levels of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants such as polyphenols and tocopherol. They also naturally contain plant sterols which are thought to lower cholesterol levels. All these attributes are sought after by the health conscious.

No. Quite the contrary. The process of centrifugation is by nature, a rapid and enclosed process which protects the oil from oxygen during the separation process. This means that the naturally occurring antioxidants in the oil are conserved and end up in the olive oil bottle. No rocket science here. If you expose the health giving antioxidants in olive oil to oxygen before they are bottled, i.e. during their making, then they by definition are used up. Better to have them in the bottle so they can help you stay healthy.

You may find this surprising but the answer is no. Throughout the world, the term extra virgin implies that the oil is 100% made from olives, is free of unpleasant flavours and has some degree of fruitiness. That is, the label 'extra virgin' is simply a reasonable guarantee that the oils will add something positive to your food. Obviously within this broad specification there exist rather bland extra virgin oils right through to very complex oils with outstanding aroma and flavour.

They are referring to the style of oil that is in the bottle. Robust oils, have strong bitterness and/or pungency (pepper), and as they are usually made from greener olives, typically display herbaceous aromas and flavours. Mild oils on the other hand by definition have low bitterness and pungency. Mild oils are best used on delicately flavoured foods such as on white fish and mayonnaise, while robust oils better complement strongly flavoured foods such as roast meats and flavour some soups. When it comes to bread dipping, either can be used, but most people have a personal preference for one style over another. The term 'fruity' is more of a marketing rather than style term. That is, an oil can be fruity, but represent either a mild, medium or robust style.

Firstly, olive oils are typified by their high level of monounsaturated fats compared with nearly all other edible oils. Monounsaturates are preferred by the health conscious. Oils high in monounsaturates are also more resistant to oxidation and as such have a longer shelf lives. Incidentally, the major monounsaturated fat in olive oils is oleic acid. Extra virgin olive oils contain between 65% and 85% oleic acid. As a result of selective breeding, some sunflower and canola oils also contain high levels of oleic acid. But these have no aroma, flavour or health giving antioxidants as they are refined oils. EV olive oil is the only high monounsaturated oil that makes your food taste better.

Yes it is, but….. omega three fatty acids are in the family of polyunsaturated fats. These fats oxidise very rapidly, so oils high in these fats tend to have very short shelf lives unless they are protected with artificial preservatives such as BHA and BHT. Also being refined seed oils they completely lack the aroma, flavour or health giving properties that arise from the polyphenols that are naturally found in extra virgin olive oil.

Not quality, but it can tell you other things. The colour of an olive oil is related to the amount of chlorophyll it contains. Olives are picked early in the season tend to make green coloured oil as they contain higher levels of chlorophyll. Olives harvested late in the season will typically produce more golden coloured oils due to a higher level of natural occurring levels of carotene like substances. Both oils may be technically equivalent in quality but very different in style. There are also many examples of green coloured oils that taste remarkably ripe, and golden oils that have strong grassy herbal characters. To make matters more complex, many strongly green coloured oils will turn a more golden colour when stored. So do not place too much emphasis on colour. Incidentally if you purchase a very green looking oil make sure that it is stored in a dark bottle in a dark place. The stuff that makes it green (chlorophyll) helps start the reaction that makes oils rancid, but only in the presence of light.

One of the most critical factors in making high quality olive oil is the time that elapses between harvesting the olive and extracting its oil. The greater the elapsed time, the greater the probability that the resultant oil will have an off flavour. The defects that can arise from delays in harvesting are called fusty, musty, and winey. Ideally, olives should be processed into oil within 24 hours after harvesting.

A big difference. Light is the enemy of olive oil as it is one of the factors which causes rancidity. You should always purchase oils stored in dark opaque glass. Some producers package their oils in clear bottles. This is mainly to attract the buyer. Storing olive oil in clear bottles is detrimental to its quality.

The cloudiness arises from small particles of olive that remain after processing. These particles do not convey any additional health benefits or flavour. Cloudy olive oils generally have shorter shelf lives and if the cloudiness settles into the base of the bottle, the resultant sediment can cause off characters to be formed. Incidentally, most clear oils get that way not by being filtered but simply by allowing the oil to settle naturally in tank under the force of gravity. The clear oil is removed from the sediment at the bottom of the tank and is bottled.

The way they are made in part depends on the flavour type. The most commonly encountered flavoured olive oils are of the citrus type. These can be made either by 1) adding citrus skins to the olives and crushing them together before extracting the oil, 2) by adding skins to the oil after it has been extracted and letting the citrus flavours infuse out into the oil or 3) by adding food grade citrus oils to the olive oil. The first method is called agramato and makes the best oils as they have natural flavours that typically meld well with the flavour of the olive oil base. Most other types of flavoured oils are made by the infusion process. Occasionally one sees bottles of olive oil with fresh herbs or garlic in them. These should not be available for sale as consumption of these oils could cause botulism (which can be fatal). The use of dried herbs and garlic is an acceptable practice.

A good retailer knows the oils he or she stocks, and most importantly sees the use of olive oil as an important part of the entire European culinary experience. Good merchants should be able to advise you on the right style of extra virgin olive oil for your intended use, can recommend good examples of that style, have a high turnover, and ideally only stock new seasons oils.

First and foremost, consider purchasing an extra virgin olive oil that is useful for the culinary purposes you have in mind. Extra virgin olive oils can have intense flavours and can also be strongly bitter and pungent. Many 'early harvest' styles fit in this category. Others can be very fruity with only hints of bitterness and pepper, while 'late harvest' styles are typically mild with very ripe fruity flavours. As a general rule, oils with a strong flavour suit strongly flavoured dishes, and mild oils are used in dishes which are delicately flavoured. This guide provides descriptions that emphasise oil style, so it should be of help when making your purchase decision. Alternatively, ask your merchant or the producer. Secondly, choose to buy the current season oils as these will be the freshest. Not all will have the year of harvest clearly marked. However, reputable producers and retailers will direct you to their new season oils. Finally, if in any doubt, either consult this guide or speak to your merchant. Better still, why not contact the oil maker. Most are more than happy to help and answer questions regarding their oils, and olive oil in general.

They are simply different styles of olive oil. As their name suggests, early harvest oils are made from olives picked earlier in the season. As they are made from greener olives, early harvest styles are usually more grassy/herbaceous in aroma and flavour and have higher levels of bitterness and pepperyness. Late harvest styles are usually milder oils and display riper fruit flavours. Due to their different taste properties the two styles of oil are used in different ways in the kitchen.

Free fatty acidity is chemical parameter of the oil which is a very broad indicator of its quality, or at least how sound the olives were and how carefully the olive were processed. For extra virgin olive oils, it ranges from 0 to 0.8%, with the lower the percentage the better. The average FFA of Australian oils in 2008 was around 0.25%, with very few even being over 0.5%. From a practical point of view, oils with lower FFA's begin to smoke at a higher temperature when heated. This property makes them a little more versatile in the kitchen. Oils with high free fatty acidity also tend to go rancid more rapidly. However, regardless of the acidity of the oil, it can not be tasted as the acids in olive oil are very weak acids.

A general principle applies here. Both light and heat are the enemies of olive oil. As such, olive oils should be stored in a cool dark place. Most also refrigerate well. On the other side of the coin, the worst place to store olive oil is on top of the refrigerator or next to the oven where they may become heated, or even worse on a window sill. Olive oils will rapidly become rancid if stored in a warm, well lit environment. Exposure to light also hastens the loss of the health giving vitamin E like compound tocopherol.

No. Quite the contrary, refrigeration is a very effective way of prolonging the shelf life of the oil. Some oils may partially solidify due to the oil containing naturally occurring levels of saturated fats and/or waxes. Even if they solidify, they will return to their normal state when they warm to room temperature. The aroma and flavour of the olive oil should not be affected in any way by refrigeration. However storing in a cool dark place is the best place to store olive oil if you frequently use small amounts of olive oil over a long period of time as there is some recent research suggests that constantly thawing oils marginally reduces their shelf life. However it beats storing on a window sill any time!

Extra virgin olive oils are best consumed young as it is at this time when their fresh olive like aromas and flavours, and the health giving polyphenols are at their peak. Unlike wine, olive oils do not get better with age, so the closer to their release date that you purchase and use them, the better. However, the higher levels of natural antioxidants and the higher proportion of monounsaturated fats generally found in extra virgin olive oil mean that they generally remain fresher longer than other edible oils. Mild styles of oil contain lower levels of polyphenols so they tend to have shorter shelf lives. However as a guide, provided they are stored properly, the majority of current season extra virgin olive oils will retain good flavour, aroma and freshness for at least 12 months.

Yes, but to be honest, refined olive oils (that is those labeled as 'Pure' or 'Light') are probably a more cost effective alternative when more than shallow frying. Refined olive oils also begin to smoke at a higher temperature than most extra virgin olive oils, making them more suited to deep frying. However, extra virgin olive oils are a far better alternative when shallow frying. It is commonly thought that extra virgin olive oil smokes at a low temperature. However, it is a fact that the lower the free fatty acidity (FFA) i.e. better oils, the higher the temperature at which the oil will begin to smoke. Therefore if you purchase high quality oil with an FFA less than 0.2%, then it will start to smoke at a temperature around 20C higher than your average supermarket EV imported from the EU. That‟s a lot in culinary terms.

Yes, extra virgin olive oils can be reused a few times. However, keep in mind that each time an oil is heated and cooled it will lose some of its aroma, flavour, freshness and health giving polyphenols and tocopherol. Recent research has also shown that olive oils heated by microwaving retain their natural polyphenols to a much greater extent compared with traditional heating methods. However, recent research has shown that the important anti-oxidant called oleocanthal loses its anti-inflammatory activity under even mild short term heating.

No they don‟t. Trans fats form when any edible oil is subjected to an industrial process called hydrogenation designed to turn liquid oil into an edible fat that is solid at room temperature – that is margarine. The hydrogenation process involves heating up oil under extreme pressure and then bubbling hydrogen gas through it in the presence of a Palladium metal catalyst. For trans fats to form all of these conditions must be in place – heat and pressure and hydrogen gas and an appropriate catalyst. It just can‟t happen in your kitchen. The vast majority of trans-fats in the average persons diet arise from fast foods, cheap margarines, or more commonly commercial baked products and crackers.

Polyphenols are a class of antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oils which help protect cells from damage. Hydroxytyrosol - found only in olive leaves and olive oil - is a potent polyphenol that plays an important role in slowing down the skin's aging process. A greater amount of polyphenols lends a higher smoking point to extra virgin olive oil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 325-375°F/165-190°C
Regular/Pure/Virgin Olive Oil - 420°F/216°C

Yes. EVOO can replace butter or margarine in any baking or cooking recipe. Here is a conversion chart:
1 tsp............................................3/4 tsp.
1 Tbsp........................................ 2 1/4 tsp.
1/4 cup ......................................3 Tbsp.
1/3 cup ......................................1/4 cup
1/2 cup.......................................1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp.
2/3 cup.......................................1/2 cup
3/4 cup ......................................1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp.
1 cup..........................................3/4 cup

Also known as cold extraction, this describes the temperature at which the oil was obtained. Temperature is crucial due to its effect on olive oil quality. When high temperatures are applied the more volatile aromas are lost and the rate of oil oxidation is increased, producing therefore lower quality oils. In addition, the chemical content of antioxidants and vitamins present in the oil is reduced by higher temperatures.

Turkish Olive Oil as it has a more subtle natural flavor that does not compete with the flavor being infused.

Most high quality EVOOs, if stored properly, will maintain their integrity for at least one year. Freshness provides key taste attributes and after 12 months, you will begin to lose that fresh taste. Additionally, the vitamin E content will begin to naturally decrease after the first year.

High in monounsaturated fat – the “good” fat – olive oil may prolong life by combating coronary heart disease and different types of cancer. Up to 80% of olive oil is made of monounsaturated fatty acids which resist oxidation and help keep HDL (good cholesterol) levels up and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels down. Additionally, the presence of phenols and other natural antioxidants in olive oil prevents the formation of certain free radicals that may cause cell destruction within the human body. Olive oil contains no salt and is cholesterol-free.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is perfect for sauces, sautés, marinades, and vinaigrettes, in addition to being a fine finishing oil or simply as a dipping sauce for bread.

Taste is the most obvious difference between EVOO and store bought vegetable oils. Vegetable oil adds fat without adding taste. EVOO adds a specific fresh flavor and with the many fused and infused flavors available, your recipes can become masterpieces. Vegetable oils are usually extracted using petroleum-based chemical solvents and then must be highly refined to remove impurities. Refining also removes taste, color and nutrients. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is not processed or refined. It is fresh pressed from the fruit of the olive tree, leaving the color, flavor, vitamins and nutrients intact.

WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHILE BUYING THE OLIVE OIL AND HOW SHOULD WE STORE IT?

  • smoll-logoThe product should be in a dark glass bottle. Extra Virgin Olive Oil must be stayed away from transparent glass bottles and especially pet packaged products. It has been reported in recent years that the Extra Virgin Olive Oil solves the chemicals combining pet packagings, and the chemicals passes into Extra Virgin Olive Oil and is harmful to human health. In addition, light passing through the transparent glass bottles to the Extra Virgin Olive Oilcauses chlorophyll to break down.
  • smoll-logoMake sure that the lid of the product packaging you buy is sealed and screwed. Corks let air in and the Extra Virgin Olive Oil contacting the air (oxygen) spoils by oxidation.
  • smoll-logoDo not choose to buy the product depending on the color, the color of the oil does not determine the quality, oils that are added oil-soluble chlorophyll or food coloring can mislead you.
  • smoll-logoIf the product you buy is directly exposed to sunlight on the market shelves, do not opt for it. Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is exposed to the sunlight spoils by oxidation very quickly and smells bad.
  • smoll-logoDo not buy product without reading the label, look for Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s the date of production or harvest, date of bottling, expiration date, geographical indication, type of Olives and region.
  • smoll-logoRemember that the Extra Virgin Olive Oil should be consumed fresh, spoils as it stays, and its healthy phenolic components are lost. Buy a new Extra Virgin Olive Oil every season, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can lose their first day quality even under very special storage conditions.
  • smoll-logoExtra Virgin Olive Oil can freeze below +4 C degree, some Extra Virgin Olive Oil may freeze later due to its phenolic components of different types. Freezing of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is not considered a purity criterion.
  • smoll-logoSelect the packaging of the product to be purchased depending on your consumption, if you do not consume it in a short time, prefer small packages (250 ml 500 ml 750 ml 1000 ml); Do not open a second air hole in the cans for an easy flow when using large packages. If you have the opportunity, you can use it by dividing it into five 1 lt of dark glass bottles.
  • smoll-logoStore the product you bought in a dark, cool and moisture-free environment. Do not place near products such as soap, detergent etc. Extra Virgin Olive Oil absorbs and traps the odors very quickly. Storage temperature should be between 18C - 22C.
  • smoll-logoCheck the label and packaging of the product you are purchasing, and please do not buy the products with a hole and leaking packaging.
  • smoll-logoIn recent years, Unfiltered is Extra Virgin Olive Oil put in bottles, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Unfiltered Olive particles spoils more quickly, does not last for a long time. Among these particles, there are flesh, blackwater and seed remains of the Olive fruit. The remaining blackwater has oxygen in it and oxygen, ie air starts fermentation process in the mixture, and the oil loses its virgin oil properties by emitting bad smells.
  • smoll-logoThe factors that harms the, Extra Virgin Olive Oil respectively;
    A – Light B – Air C – Temperature D - Water or moisture
    Consume the product you have bought from these factors.
  • smoll-logoSeparate the products you buy, you can consume Extra Virgin Olive Oil from different regions in your salads, meals, desserts and pies. In particular, you should consume Extra Virgin Olive Oil as raw, while you go for Northern Aegean Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the salads, cakes, pies and appetizers, and you may consume the southern Aegean, Mediterranean and Southeast Anatolian region's Olive Oils in your light olive oil dishes. You can easily use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in your fried dishes.
  • smoll-logoExtra Virgin Olive Oil should smell like fresh fruit, contrary to the belief, foods made with pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil do not be heavy and do not smell bad. Stale, pulpy and adulterated oils smell strong
  • smoll-logoWhen you start to cook your meal, start with a spoon of Olive Oil, remove the heat from cooked food and let it cool, after it becomes cooler, add the rest of the Olive Oil. Especially when you prefer this method for stuffed leaves and peppers, you will see that your meals are much more delicious.
  • smoll-logoOlive Oil Products with OliveOilsLand® and it is regularly checked and analyzed by the food control laboratories of the ministry of agriculture and village affairs. You may find a respondent when you find out the product you buy is spoilt, Please get contact with us info@oliveoilsland.com