Renowned for its culinary flavour and central place in the Mediterranean Diet, the nutraceutical benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are still not widely understood. While this is the case, we’re inspired to see the increasing ways people are using our oils for an additional health boost every day.
At Allpress Olive Groves, our EVOOs are uniquely crafted to enhance flavours, elevate your everyday eating and to support healthier living.
What Makes Olive Oil, Extra Virgin?
The term ‘extra virgin’ refers to the highest grade of olive oil. The olives must be milled without the use of chemicals or excessive heat, which can degrade the oil's nutritional composition. This oil is then filtered and sent off for testing known as Free Fatty Acid (FFA) testing.
Free Fatty Acid (FFA) Testing
The Free Fatty Acid test measures the level of degradation and oxidation in the oil and is crucial in evaluating freshness and quality. The lower this score, the better! Olive oil must have an FFA level of 0.8% or lower to be considered Extra Virgin. Lower FFA levels indicate that the oil is produced from high-quality olives, carefully harvested and processed fresh. All of our Waiheke Island grown and milled EVOOs are well below this level, ranging between 0.1% and 0.4%.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are natural compounds found abundantly in certified extra virgin olive oil. These tiny, plant-based molecules are the real powerhouse and antioxidant-rich epicentre of this extraordinary food medicine. Antioxidants have been linked to various positive effects on human health, including reducing inflammation, protecting against chronic diseases, and supporting heart health.
So, pop it in your morning smoothing, swap it out for butter in baking or simply have a spoonful to kickstart your day. Tag us on social @allpressolivegroves to show how you incorporate EVOO into your everyday.
Explore our range of delicious and nutritious EVOO's below.
