Guide to choosing the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil in 2025

Choosing the best extra virgin olive oil ( EVOO ) can seem difficult given the wide variety of options available. But when you try the perfect EVOO, the one that enhances your dishes and brings well-being to your health, you'll discover why it's worth choosing carefully.

In this guide, you'll learn which extra virgin olive oil is best for your tastes, needs, and personal profile, with specific examples to help you decide.

What determines whether an EVOO is the best?

The best EVOO is the one that perfectly meets your needs and meets demanding quality standards. Key factors for determining this include:

• Olive variety: Each variety provides different flavors and culinary uses.
• Freshness and extraction process: An oil harvested early and cold-extracted preserves its properties better.
• Origin and certifications: The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and organic certifications guarantee its quality.

Practical guide to choosing the ideal EVOO

For beginners: smooth and balanced flavors

If you're new to EVOO, choose mild oils like Arbequina or Arbosana, which have a delicate, sweet flavor and are ideal for salads and light recipes.

• Recommendation: Andrés Aguilar Arbequina

For connoisseurs: intense and complex flavors

Experienced lovers look for powerful oils, such as Picual , characterized by an intense flavor with spicy and bitter notes, ideal for toast and robust dishes.

• Recommendation: Jabalcuz Gran Selección

For culinary experts: versatility and precision

Chefs and culinary experts prefer oils like the Hojiblanca variety for their ability to enrich a variety of dishes, from meats to pastries.

• Recommendation: Supremo Hojiblanca

For environmentalists: certified sustainability

If you prioritize sustainability and health, choose EVOOs that are certified organic, chemical-free, and grown with respect for the environment.

• Recommendation: Jaén Organic Olive Oil

For design lovers: bottles that are a work of art

At Molino y Cata, all of our oils are premium , so if you look at the bottle design as a guide, you're sure to find the right one.

• Recommendation: Elizondo

Most notable olive varieties

• Picual: Intense and bitter flavor, perfect for stews and fried foods.
• Arbequina: Mild and sweet, ideal for dressings and sauces.
• Hojiblanca: Balanced between sweet and spicy, excellent for doughs and desserts.
• Frantoio: Robust and antioxidant, ideal for demanding palates.

The ideal EVOO production process

The quality of extra virgin olive oil depends greatly on the process:

• Early harvest: Guarantees freshness and superior organoleptic properties.
• Cold extraction: Preserves nutrients and authentic flavor.
• Proper storage: Stainless steel tanks, protected from light and heat.

Certifications that guarantee quality

Always look for:

• Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): such as Priego de Córdoba or Sierra Mágina.
• Organic Certification: ensures sustainable and chemical-free production.
• Awards and recognition: Awards, guides, and competitions are very demanding and rigorous. An oil that appears in the Evooleum or Iberoleum guide is always a guarantee of quality.

Best award-winning oils in 2025

• O.LIVE Organic: Recognized by EVOOLEUM as the best in the world in 2025. Winner of the Jaén Selección and in the Iberoleum guide with 96 points.
• Picualia Reserva : Winner of the Jaén Selección, the Spanish food award, and rated 96 in the Iberoleum guide.

Essential tips when buying EVOO

• Read the label: Make sure it clearly says "extra virgin."
• Harvest date: The more recent the harvest, the better the quality.
• Dark packaging: Protects the oil from oxidation caused by light.
• Try several types: This is the best way to find out which one best suits your palate.

Conclusion

• Choose according to your culinary experience and personal tastes.
• Consider the variety, the production process, and the certifications.
• Explore award-winning, expert-backed options.
• Prioritize freshness, proper packaging, and certified origin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil?
Extra virgin olive oil is of the highest quality, with less than 0.8% acidity and no sensory defects, while virgin olive oil is of lower quality, with up to 2% acidity and possible defects.

How to store extra virgin olive oil properly?
Store it in a cool, dark place, in a tightly closed, opaque bottle to maintain its properties.

Is organic oil better than conventional oil?
Organic oil is preferable if you're looking to avoid pesticides and chemicals, promoting sustainability and health.

Is EVOO suitable for frying?
Yes, EVOO withstands high temperatures well, making it stable and healthy for frying.