admin

Read the label carefully: if she mentions “EU origin” it is not a French olive oil

The labeling of olive oil is very strict, and regulated. There are several mandatory items that must be included:

The origin must be clearly defined : the origin of an olive oil is determined by the place where the olives are harvested et the place of oil extraction.

The mention “Olive oil from France” (or "Origin France", "Product of France") guarantees an oil 100 % française : olives harvested in France etoil extracted in a French mill.

The mention “EU origin” indicates that the olive oil comes from one or more countries of the European Union. (Spain, Italy…).

The mention “EU and non-EU origin” indicates that the olive oil comes from countries of the European Union and third countries. (Tunisia…).

The words "Protected Designation of Origin – AOP (or Controlled Designation of Origin – AOC) olive oil from …» and the logo guarantee an olive oil from a particular terroir combined with traditional know-how and varieties.

The trade name and the category of olive oil. This is the product description. For oil from French olives, we can find : extra virgin olive oil or virgin olive oil.

– Extra virgin olive oil : acidity level ≤ 0,8 %.

– Virgin olive oil : acidity level ≤ 2 %.

The term "virgin" means that the olive oil is extracted by mechanical processes without any chemical process and which preserves all the qualities of the product.. It is a pure fruit juice.

For each trade name, categories are clearly defined:

– For the extra virgin olive oil : “superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means”

– For the virgin olive oil : “olive oil obtained directly from olives and only by mechanical means”

The term “olive oil” (only) or “pure olive oil” implies that the oil has been blended and gone through an industrial refining process. Only virgin or extra virgin olive oil is a pure fruit juice.

The net quantity. It is expressed in liters (l), centiliters (cl) or milliliters (ml).

Best before date (BBD). This is the time during which the olive oil retains all its taste qualities & physico-chemical. This is not an expiration date: even after the date the product is consumable, but the organoleptic qualities may decrease over time.

Storage conditions. Before and after opening : store olive oil away from light and air.

Identification of the marketing manager. Name or Social reason + producer's address.

The identification number of the conditioner must also appear on the label.

Mention not obligatory:  cold extracted. This statement guarantees that the olive oil is extracted at a temperature below 27°C by purely mechanical processes..

Olive oil has antioxidant properties. True or false ?

True. Olive oil derives its antioxidant properties, among others, phenolic compounds it contains, the main ones being hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein. Studies have shown that regular consumption of olive oil may reduce oxidative stress in the body, or damage caused by free radicals1. It is a preventive means acting on several diseases, especially cancer. Olive oil also contains vitamin E, another strong antioxidant. This vitamin offers additional protection to the immune system since it acts on red and white blood cells..

Did you know ?

We are in full bloom of the olive trees. And there, the olive tree stands out from other fruit trees by a few particularities.

The olive tree is a fruit tree. It is the flower of the tree which is transformed into fruit by the exchange of pollen between the female organs. (pistil) and male organs (stamens). This is called pollination. For most fruit trees, it is bees and insects that, gathering pollen and moving from flower to flower, allow this exchange. These trees are said to be honey-bearing, that is to say that the bees collect the pollen to produce their honey.

But nature makes exceptions

In effect, the olive tree is not meliferous. So in theory it would not produce fruit, because if it is not foraged by insects, its pollination would be made impossible. It is the winds and air currents that will allow the pollen to be exchanged between the flowers.. The olive tree will thus be able to make olives.

The olive tree has no torque problem to make small olive trees : Most olive trees are self-fertile, that is, their own pollen can fertilize their own flowers. Fertilization is done by the action of the wind and the fertile period lasts only a short week a year..