How to read the extra virgin olive oil label

Here's a quick guide to deciphering the label of our Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

1. The Identity Card: Name and Origin
The first thing to look for is the full wording: "Extra Virgin Olive Oil."
What it means: It is an oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means. If you only read "Olive Oil": it is a mix of chemically refined oils.
The Origin: Look for "100% Italian" or, even better, the specific indication of the oil mill and the production area. If you see "Blend of EU oils," the origin is vague, and supply chain control is more difficult.

2. The Organic Seal (The "Leaf")
To be truly Organic, the label must display the European Union logo (the leaf made up of 12 white stars on a green background). Next to the logo you will find:
Control Body Code: E.g., IT-BIO-XXX.
Origin of raw material: "Agricoltura Italia" (Agriculture Italy).
Note of value: Organic guarantees that the olives have been cultivated without pesticides or synthetic chemical fertilizers, respecting nature's cycle.

3. Traceability
It serves to guarantee the authenticity and traceability of typical food products at every stage of the supply chain. The ISO 22005 standard supports companies in guaranteeing - through a certificate of conformity - the typicality, genuineness and traceability of food products at every stage of the supply chain.

Production Lot: It is an alphanumeric code (often preceded by the letter L) that identifies a set of bottles packaged under identical circumstances.
Why it is vital: In case of any anomaly, the lot allows immediate tracing back to the day of milling and the individual batches of olives used. It is the guarantee of total control over the supply chain.
Location of the Bottling Plant: A truly excellent oil does not hide its origin. The label must clearly state the address of the oil mill or the premises where the oil was bottled.
The added value: Knowing that the oil was bottled in the same place where the plants grew reduces transport times and preserves freshness.

4. Cold Extracted: Why is it essential?
If you see "Cold Extracted," it means that the temperature during milling never exceeded 27°C.
Why look for it: Heat destroys polyphenols and alters aromas. A cold-extracted oil keeps all its organoleptic and healthy properties intact.

5. The Harvest Year
Oil does not improve with age. By law, it is not always mandatory (it is for PDO/PGI products), but a serious producer always indicates the oil campaign (e.g., 2024/2025).
Always look for the most recent vintage to enjoy maximum flavor and nutritional properties.

6. Nutritional Values and Storage
In addition to calories, look at the storage instructions. The label should remind you to keep the bottle away from sources of light and heat.
Dark glass: If the label is on a dark glass bottle or in a tin, you're on the right track. Light is EVO oil's worst enemy.