The Essential Aspects to Consider when Choosing Olive Oil for Your Business
Extra virgin olive oil has been used for centuries, and its popularity has never waned – in fact, it is even more popular today than ever, as more and more people are becoming aware of the various health benefits that come from extra virgin olive oil. But when you are in the process of sourcing extra virgin olive oil for your business, there are some important aspects you should consider so as to get the best price and the best quality. Here are the essential aspects to consider when choosing olive oil for your business.
The origin
Extra virgin olive oil of high quality will be grown as well as pressed and then bottled wherever it came from. Even if a label states ‘Product of Italy’ or ‘Product of Spain’ for instance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it was processed and packaged in that country. If you are looking for quality, you should look for a supplier of bulk olive oil which can give you oil that is directly sourced – meaning the supplier knows exactly where the olive oil came from, and its origin can be traced back to the actual company which grew the olives, processed the oil, and packaged it.
The age
Extra virgin olive oil which has a good quality will often come with a ‘sell-by’ date as well, or it will come with a date when it was pressed so that you will know the product’s age. Contrary to what many assume, olive oil doesn’t get better with age, unlike wine. If it is stored properly, however, meaning it is not exposed to heat and light, it can last for a long time without going rancid. But it is highly recommended that olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is consumed one month after it is purchased so it still has its fresh taste.
The colour
The colour of olive oil is not actually a clear indication of its quality – and this is something that not many people are aware of, either. A rich and deep colouring does not equate to better flavour. As a matter of fact, extra virgin olive oils can come in a variety of colours and hues, from bright yellow to deep green. The variety in colour is simply caused by the chlorophyll levels in the olives at the time they underwent pressing.
The taste
A high-quality extra virgin olive oil will have a variety of profiles when it comes to flavour as well, and the flavours can range from spicy to nutty, floral, herbal, and buttery. But a good quality olive oil will generally taste fresh and clean, and it will not have any waxy deposit or residue once it is swallowed.