If you've ever found yourself strolling down the grocery store aisle containing spices, oils and the like, you may have felt completely overwhelmed at your choices when it comes to olive oil. From extra virgin olive oils to premium varieties and everything in between, how can you tell what's going to add flavor to your dish and what's going to leave you disappointed? As you peruse your options, you may begin to wonder what warrants a top shelf spot and what's wrong with all the other options. And while we're asking questions...are grocery store olive oils even on the same playing field as those available at specialty shops?

When it comes to premium olive oil versus regular olive oil, what's the difference? Let us show you...

Premium Olive Oil: The Top Choice

If you know any olive oil aficionados, you may have heard them gush about premium olive oil and how anything else just doesn't belong in your kitchen. Premium olive oil, most notably ultra-premium olive oil is considered to be the highest quality olive oil on the market. These types of premium olive oils are made with pure, cold-pressed olives, giving them a lush, fresh taste. Although many labels found in the grocery store claim to be of “premium” caliber, unfortunately many of these offerings aren't technically premium.

Premium olive oil will have a brilliant, vibrant coloring with a balance between fruitiness, bitterness and pungency. A well-balanced premium olive oil will contain hints of grassy, peppery flavors that will complement a dish perfectly.

Regular Olive Oil: The Bargain Option

Typically, what you'll see in standard grocery stores doesn't even come close to the quality that you'll find at specialty shops. Grocery stores will most likely offer many varieties of regular olive oil, which is produced with a blend of cold-pressed and processed oils. Being that this version is not completely cold-pressed, it results in a less flavorful (and less fresh) product. It is not refined of its impurities, therefore giving it a more neutral flavor and a lighter appearance. Another issue that tends to arise in “imposter” olive oil is that the olives used are over-ripe. Even if these over-ripe olives are cold-pressed, their level of ripeness causes the resulting olive oil to be lower in quality.

There are also many forms of olive oil being imported from North Africa, containing chemicals and being re-branded as expensive olive oil from Italy, causing much unrest in a country that prides itself for its fine, high-quality food products. In short, you may not even know the origin of your olive oil when purchasing it from a supermarket, making it imperative to find these products at a reputable shop.

What to Look for When Shopping for Premium Olive Oil

With all the imposters out there, how can you tell if the bottle you're holding in your hand is actually premium? If you take a moment to look at the labeling, you'll notice some key indicators of whether or not an olive oil is of premium quality. These indicators include:

• Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content less than 3%
• High Oleic Acid Content
• Contains Biophenols (Oleocanthal, Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol)
• Peroxide values of less than 9 ppm

Another key indicator is the crush date. The fresher the olive oil, the more antioxidants it contains. So, if it has been sitting on the shelf for three to four years, this means that it is probably not a very good purchase. Taking the time to check for some of these items will help you find the best tasting olive oil for your kitchen.

A Higher Standard

Premium olive oil is considered to be the gold standard in the world of olive oil. Although there may be a large variety of the “other guys” available, often sporting an affordable price tag, you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to olive oil. Don't skimp on flavor when it comes to the dishes you create in your kitchen. Meals are meant to be enjoyed and mealtime is a chance for us to connect with each other and savor the flavors of our food. Treat yourself to a higher standard with premium olive oil.

At Estero Bay Olive Oil & Tea, our ultra-premium olive oils are hand-picked and contain the highest quality ingredients. Visit www.esterobayoliveoil.com to shop today!

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