Olive Oils is a subcategory containing over 40 products, devoted exclusively to extra virgin olive oils from Spain. The range includes oils from Almaoliva and Almazaras de la Subbetica (including the organic Arbequina), Alzania, Can Company, Melgarejo, Masía El Altet (the High End and High Quality lines), La Calandina and the premium Pago Baldios San Carlos. Packaging is available from 0.25 l up to bulk 2.5 l.
How to find your way around this category
The more affordable oils (Almaoliva, Alzania, La Calandina) suit everyday cooking and cold dishes. The premium and award-winning oils (Melgarejo, Masía El Altet, Can Company, Pago Baldios San Carlos) have a more pronounced and more complex profile, better suited to finishing a dish than to frying. The organic Almaoliva Arbequina is intended for customers who prefer organic cultivation.
For everyday cooking the basic varieties in a larger pack will do; for tasting and for finishing prepared dishes, choose the premium line in a smaller 0.25-0.5 l pack.
Overview of brands
Brand
Character
Packaging
Almaoliva / Almazaras de la Subbetica
Arbequino, including an organic variant
0.25l, 0.5l
Pago Baldios San Carlos
Gourmet, premium production
0.5l
Melgarejo
Cosecha, award-winning production
0.5l, 2.5l
Masía El Altet
High End, High Quality
0.5l
Can Company, Alzania, La Calandina
Regional Spanish producers
0.25l, 0.5l
You will always find the exact olive variety and region of origin in the detail of the given product.
What "extra virgin" means
Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality class - it is obtained solely by mechanical cold pressing, without chemical intervention, and must meet strict limits for acidity and sensory quality. The flavour profile differs according to the olive variety: Arbequina gives a more delicate, fruitier oil, whereas other varieties can be more pronounced, more peppery or more bitter.
A quality extra virgin oil keeps its flavour and aroma best when stored away from light and heat - ideally in a dark bottle in a cooler part of the pantry, not next to the cooker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Arbequina oil and other varieties?
Arbequina gives a more delicate, fruitier oil with less pepperiness, whereas other varieties tend to be more pronounced and more peppery - you will find the specific flavour profile in the product detail.
Is olive oil also suitable for frying?
Extra virgin olive oil can also be used for cooking, but premium and more pronounced oils come into their own best used cold, for finishing prepared dishes, salads or bread.
How can I recognise a quality extra virgin oil?
By its low acidity, mechanical cold pressing and fresh, fruity to peppery taste without rancid notes. The harvest and pressing date is usually stated on the label.
Is organic oil of higher quality than conventional oil?
Organic certification guarantees an ecological method of cultivation without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers; the quality of the oil itself depends above all on the variety, the harvest and the method of pressing.
How long does an opened bottle of oil keep?
Stored correctly away from light and heat, oil retains its quality for several months after opening, but it tastes best in the first few weeks.