Regular olive oil vs. premium extra virgin olive oil: what's the real difference?

Olive oil is an essential ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, but not all olive oils are the same. The market offers everything from refined oils to premium extra virgin olive oils.

If you have ever wondered what the difference is between regular olive oil and premium extra virgin olive oil, this article explains it in detail.

1. Type of oil: refined vs. premium extra virgin

The main difference between a regular olive oil and a premium EVOO is the way it is produced.

Regular olive oil (refined or mild)

• It is made from lower-quality olive oils that cannot be sold directly as virgin.
• It undergoes a chemical and thermal refining process to remove unwanted odours, colours and flavours.
• It is blended with a small amount of virgin olive oil to give it some flavour and colour.

Premium extra virgin olive oil (premium EVOO)

• It comes from selected olives, harvested at their optimum point.
• It is extracted solely by mechanical means and cold (below 27 °C).
• It is not refined or chemically treated, so it keeps its flavour, its aroma and its natural components.

Conclusion: regular olive oil is a refined product, while EVOO is olive juice obtained by mechanical means only.

2. Quality of the raw material

Regular olive oil

• It is made from olives that may be at different stages of ripeness, even damaged or picked up from the ground.
• It does not usually state its origin or olive variety.

Premium extra virgin olive oil

• It is made from top-quality olives, harvested with methods that protect the fruit.
• It states the olive variety (Picual, Hojiblanca, Picuda, etc.) and geographical origin.

Conclusion: the quality of the olives is key to obtaining an exceptional oil.

3. Flavour, aroma and texture

Regular olive oil

• Its flavour is mild or neutral, because refining removes its natural characteristics.
• It has no fruity, grassy or peppery notes.

Premium extra virgin olive oil

• Its flavour is rich and balanced, with fruity and grassy notes and a characteristic slight bitterness or pepperiness.
• Its aroma is intense and varies depending on the olive variety.

Conclusion: a premium EVOO is a sensory experience, while refined oil loses its original essence.

4. Composition: what each one keeps

Regular olive oil

• During refining it loses a large part of its polyphenols and aromatic compounds.

Premium extra virgin olive oil

• It naturally keeps its polyphenols and vitamin E, and it is rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat (roughly 70 to 80% of the total).
• As an unsaturated fat, it is a good alternative to saturated fats: replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.

Conclusion: EVOO keeps the natural components of the olive, while refined oil loses a large part of them. In any case, it is a food, not a medicine.

5. Packaging and storage

Regular olive oil

• It is often sold in clear plastic bottles, which let light through and encourage oxidation.
• It does not usually state the harvest date or storage details.

Premium extra virgin olive oil

• It is packed in dark glass, ceramic or stainless steel bottles that protect it from light and oxidation.
• Its label usually states the variety, origin and extraction method.

Conclusion: the right packaging helps keep the oil's flavour and aroma intact. If light is a concern, try our Golden Edition EVOO in a 500 ml tin.

Conclusion: which one to choose?

If you are looking for an oil with authentic flavour, natural components and guaranteed quality, premium extra virgin olive oil is the best choice.

At Oliva Sí we select premium oils of the highest quality, so you can enjoy a unique gastronomic experience.

This article is for general information and does not replace the advice of a health professional.