What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Olive Oil is classified by the International Olive Oil Council, IOOC, into categories by chemical analysis and sensory (smell and taste) criteria.

Their definition follows
Olive oil is the oil obtained solely from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.), to the exclusion of oils obtained using solvents or re-esterification processes and of any mixture with oils of other kinds.

It is marketed in accordance with the following designations and definitions
Virgin olive oils are the oils obtained from the fruit of the olive tree solely by mechanical or other physical means under conditions, particularly thermal conditions, that do not lead to alterations in the oil, and which have not undergone any treatment other than washing, decantation, centrifugation and filtration.

Virgin olive oils fit for consumption as they are include:

• Extra virgin olive oil
  Virgin olive oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0.8 grams per 100 grams (0.8%), and the other characteristics of which correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard
• Virgin olive oil
  Virgin olive oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 2 grams per 100 grams (2%) and the other characteristics of which correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard.
• Ordinary virgin olive oil
  Virgin olive oil which has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 3.3 grams per 100 grams (3.3%) and the other characteristics of which correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard.

Refined olive oil is the olive oil obtained from virgin olive oils by refining methods which do not lead to alterations in the initial glyceridic structure. It has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0.3 grams per 100 grams (0.3%) and its other characteristics correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard.

Olive oil is the oil consisting of a blend of refined olive oil and virgin olive oils fit for consumption as they are. It has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 1 gram per 100 grams (1%) and its other characteristics correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard.

Generally, all Western Australian Olive Oils are Extra Virgin Olive Oils and are typically less than 0.4% FFA.