I was recently asked: how does the taste between a quality EVOO compare to supermarket brands that many people use?
Supermarket brands tend to be refined olive oil, even though sometimes they are labeled Extra Virgin. Refined – meaning that the olive oil may have had defects, which were removed with use of charcoal or other filters. The final product was likely blended with virgin olive oil. A specific supermarket brand will tend to taste the exactly the same year after year. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) will always varying in taste with each harvest. EVOO ranges from low intensity almost buttery taste to a high intensity or robust flavor, and offers a wide array of spicy and fruity flavors.
Also, please note there is NO such thing as Light Extra Virgin Olive Oil. All EVOO is 120 calories per tablespoon. Whenever I want a delicate, lighter taste, I select a low intensity, late-harvest EVOO.
Excellent info. Customers at my store are usually very interested in knowing the real scoop on extra virgin olive oil!