THE OIL DICTIONARY

general assessment of oil’s organoleptic characteristics through the senses, in particular sight, smell and taste.

Infused (oil)

Extra-virgin olive oil infused with herbs and spices to enhance a specific flavour note. In our products, we infuse our extra-virgin olive oil with typically Mediterranean flavours.

BLEND

A blend of oils from various olive varieties, obtained by mixing skilfully high-quality extra-virgin oils to achieve a final product that is balanced in flavour and aroma.

CULTIVAR

An olive variety with unique organoleptic characteristics that give the resulting oil special flavour qualities.

D.O.P.

The protected designation of origin (P.D.O. in English) is a legal protection trademark attributed to those products whose characteristics and quality depend exclusively on the territory of production. A D.O.P. product must be produced and processed within a specific geographical area, guaranteeing the interaction of unique climatic and human factors.

Extraction

This is the process by which olive oil is extracted from olives. For extra-virgin olive oils this is carried out exclusively by mechanical processes, in conditions that do not affect the oil.

Extra-virgin (oil):

Any oil obtained from olives exclusively through mechanical or physical processes, in conditions that do not affect the oil, and which have not undergone any treatment other than washing, decantation, centrifugation and filtration. Extra-virgin olive oil has a maximum free acidity of 0.8% and meets the other criteria established by the EC for this category, in accordance to Article 75, par. 2 of EU Regulation 1308/2013.

Oil press

Machine where olives are crushed to extract oil. This process can be continuous or discontinuous (traditional). Continuous (centrifuging) machines have only one production cycle, thanks to a decanter that separates the pomace from the vegetation water and from the olive paste. Discontinuous (hydraulic) presses use granite millstones for crushing; the resulting paste is collected on fibre discs and it is then pressed mechanically. This type of oil press is becoming rare, since higher-quality technologies, more hygienic and with a higher yield, are now preferred.

Malaxation

The step after pressing, which consists in mixing the paste obtained to break the oil-water emulsion.

IGP

the term Protected Geographical Indication (PGI in English) is a geographical origin trademark that the European Union assigns to agricultural products and foodstuffs whose reputation, particular quality or other characteristic depends on their geographical origin, and that are produced or processed in a specific geographical area.

Lampante (oil)

olive oil with free acidity above 2% per 100 g, not suitable for human consumption until after it has undergone an industrial refining or rectifying process.

Millstone

Machine used to crush olives, which can include up to four stone wheels.

MONOCULTIVAR

Oil derived from a single olive variety.

Olive oil

A blend of refined and virgin or extra-virgin olive oils, with a maximum free acidity of 1%. Due to its characteristics it is recommended for frying, as a good nutritional alternative to vegetable oils.

Pomace (oil of)

blend of oil extracted from pomace through a solvent, which is then refined and mixed with a small percentage of virgin oils.

Strippaggio

technique used in oil tasting, which consists in tasting the oil by inhaling air through the mouth. Keeping their teeth closed, the taster tries to recreate a sort of nebuliser inside the mouth that highlights the smell and taste of oil.

Refined (oil)

Oil with maximum free acidity of 0.3%, obtained from oils with high acidity or with severe organoleptic defects (lampante oils), which undergoes an industrial refining process to reduce its acidity and eliminate oxidised substances and organoleptic defects. Although it maintains the same fatty acid composition as virgin olive oils, refined oil (also called rectified oil) is practically odourless and lacks beneficial substances such as polyphenols. It cannot be sold except in bulk.

Olive tree

Evergreen fruit tree native to the Mediterranean basin. Olea Europaea can live to a hundred years and has a round trunk, cone-shaped crown and hard, heavy wood.

SENSORY DICTIONARY

POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES (MERITS)

Bitter	Typical, intense taste of oils from green olives
Full-bodied	tactile sensation of density, typical of a high-quality oil
Colour ranging from green to yellow	Depending on the area of origin, the process of extraction or ripeness of the fruit, one or the other nuance may be dominant, without affecting the quality of the oil.
Grassy	In fruity oils, a note reminiscent of the scent of freshly cut grass.
Floral	Pleasant sensation reminiscent of flowers’ penetrating scent.
Fruity	The typical taste of a healthy, fresh olive
Woody	A sensation reminiscent of the scent of the underwood, it is more frequently found in Umbrian oils.
Almond	Typical bittersweet aftertaste reminiscent of this fruit.
Green tomato	Aroma reminiscent of this vegetable, found more often in Sicilian oils.
Pungent	Spicy aftertaste, especially intense in oils rich in antioxidants.

NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES (DEFECTS)

Phenic acid	Typical smell, often found in poor-quality oils from Andalusia (Spain), often associated to the smell of cat urine.
Winey	The smell of oils from poorly stored olives, in which sugars have fermented forming alcohol or vinegar.
Mouldy	Similar to the smell of mouldy bread, it is often found in oils from olives stored in warm, humid environments.
Rancid	Typical smell of deteriorated fat, such as yellowed (rotten) ham.
Red hues	They can be found in poorly stored oils, especially those exposed to direct light.
Fusty	: Smell found in oils from fermented olives, slightly reminiscent of cheese
Earthy	This smell can be perceived in oils from olives picked from the ground; it is reminiscent of the smell of air after the rain.
Greasy	Tactile aftertaste sensation, typical of oils that feel sticky to the palate.