The best selection of extra virgin olive oils varieties from Spain.

Summary: A wide range of extra virgin olive oil varieties. Each variety has its unique flavor and characteristics. Also, we offer this great selection of varieties in our store of Las Rozas de Madrid.

Other recommended studies: Where to buy extra virgin olive oil?

1. What is an olive tree?

The olive tree is a symbol of the Mediterranean culture. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs have cultivated olive trees for centuries. They also developed olive oil extraction techniques to obtain its oil, olive oil.

Likewise, since the first olive trees arrived to the Iberian Peninsula, the olive oil consumption has been growing year by year. Nowadays, extra virgin olive oil is a part of our culture and gastronomy. Also ,we can call it “mediterranean Diet”, with the extra virgin olive oil as the main ingredient in any mediterranean dish.

Finally, we can say that the olive tree (olea europeae) is the characteristic tree of the Mediterranean. A tree present in our history and religion, as well as being related to beauty, majesty and wisdom.

2. Which ist the best EVOO for you? Which is healthiest EVOO?

Each olive oil variety has its own characteristics, some taste better in some dishes than others. So, let’s see some recommendation for your cooking.

But which of these should we demand? First, you must know what you want, and then look within the brands and varieties for the one that best suits your tastes.

Therefore, in order to choose the oil that best suits your taste or needs, you should ask yourself the following questions

a) Do I want a softer or more powerful oil?

First of all, one must know if one wants a softer, fruity, spicy and somewhat bitter oil. To buy a softer extra virgin olive oil, one has to go for the softer varieties, such as empeltre, arbequina or picudo. If, on the other hand, you are looking for stronger flavors, you always have to choose a picual or cornicabra. The rest of the varieties would be in an intermediate position.

b) Cooking or raw

On this point we will see later, but we must always take a picual and cornicabra to fry. For raw food, any quality product is fine.

d) I am looking for a good price

If you are looking for a good price, you always have to buy large containers.

These would be the basic characteristics and general classification of all extra virgins. However, the best thing is to try all the varieties, and get a taste for each one.

e) The best for your health

The healthiest extra virgin olive oil is always the freshest, i.e. from the last campaign. Among them, the most stable and with more antioxidants, would be the varieties cornicabra and picual.

3. Types and varieties of olive oil for cooking

The best vegetable oil for cooking is extra virgin olive oil, which is the oil that best withstands high temperatures. For this reason, we always recommend using an extra virgin olive oil.

Among the varieties of olives with which the best olive oils are made, the picual and the cornicabra stand out.

Also, the flavor of the oil goes with the fried ones. However, we recommend using a maximum of ten fried foods. In addition, when you keep it for the next frying, you should strain it and keep it in some binder out of the light and out of sources of smell.

4. Best olilve oil for toast

People are always looking for a higher quality oil in the toast and in the crude oil. This is where the delicious fruits of a good oil can be appreciated. However, we always recommend that you also use a good olive oil for frying, as it is the one that subjects you to the most extreme conditions.

Returning to oils for crude, if you don’t know what to choose, you have to take into account the following. First, the variety of oil, the olive, the type of packaging, the freshness and your tastes. Well, these depend on each taste and person.

For this, you have in our web page a description of each oil, of the aromas of each variety. Also, in our blog much more information about extra virgin olive oils.

5. Frequently asked questions

Among the questions you usually ask us about the varieties of olive oil, these are the most frequent:

• Which varieties are softer and which are more intense?

The softest would be the Empeltre variety, the most intense would be the Picual and the Cornicabra.

• Which is the best variety?

This question must be answered with an answer. It depends on the use we want to make of the olive oil, since some varieties are more suitable for one varieties of dish and others for other dishes. However, from a health point of view, the healthiest varieties are picual and cornicabra.

Finally, if you would like some more information about the varieties of olive oil, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are happy to help you.