When we enter a supermarket and go to the food department where the different olive oils are exposed, many people ask the difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil and why the latter has a higher cost.
Difference between extra virgin olive oil and olive oil.
1. Acidity
The main difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil lies in the percentage of acidity of the oil and how it is extracted and everything is regulated by European Regulation No. 2568/91 that has set the standards.
The first difference is acidity:
- for extra virgin olive oil, which must be pure, the acidity limit is set at 0.8 grams per 100 grams;
- For virgin oil, however, the maximum ceiling is 2 grams per 100 grams.
2.Extraction method
The second big difference is that the EVO oil must be extracted cold, with a temperature below or equal to 27 degrees with mechanical instruments.
These are the aspects that allow to maintain all the properties of the olive fruit and make the extra virgin olive oil better in terms of nutritional properties compared to other olive oils.
Extra-virgin olive oil is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy.