Degrees of virginity of Olive Oil by Misty River Gold Northland New Zealand nz

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

for Discerning Chefs
and Gourmets

Do you know? There are degrees of virginity!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - must be an entirely natural product. Nothing may be added and the oil must be obtained without the use of heat or chemicals.

It must also pass Laboratory tests for Free Fatty Acid and Peroxide content. It should have a pleasant bitterness & peppery aftertaste.
Virgin Olive Oil - the same as Extra Virgin except that the Free Fatty Acid level may be higher - between one and three percent.
Olive Oil - common name for a blend of refined oil and virgin oil.
Refined Oil - oil that has been further processed because of high acidity or an "off" taste. Has some virgin oil blended back in to restore flavour.
Pomace Oil - extracted from the residue paste using chemical solvents.

Misty River Gold Grown and produced by June & Graham Paget

	"Light" and 'Extra Light" are not official classifications - only a marketing name for blended, refined oil.