Olive Oil Facts

The United States olive cultivation industry supports a rapidly-growing olive oil industry with important health benefits. However, not just any olive oil will do. Only extra virgin olive oil has the polyphenols that strategically convey the beneficial fats, antioxidants, and vitamins needed to maintain and improve our health.

United State Olive Oil Consumption & Production

• Currently, 1% of the olive oil consumed in the United States is produced in the United States.  99% of the olive oil produced in the United States in produced in California, where Mediterranean climate conditions are found. California olive oil production is increasingly rapidly and some believe it will surpass France’s olive oil production in a few years.
• The olive tree was introduced to California by Spanish missionaries several hundred years ago. Now, over 200 varieties of olives are grown in California.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Facts

• Extra virgin olive oil is free of defects such as fustiness, mustiness, winey or vinegar flavors, muddy sediment, metallic sensations, and rancidity.
• True extra virgin olive oil will have a complex and exciting profile of fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency.
• Extra virgin olive oil is high in helpful fats: mono- and polyunsaturated fats; high in High-Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) that help prevent the fatty deposits in the arteries; and low in harmful, Low-density Lipoproteins (LDLs). It contains important antioxidants that help neutralize chemical, diet, and environmental health-related disease, and helps in the absorption of calcium.
• Each variety of olive used to make extra virgin olive oil produces a unique aroma and flavor profile. Growing conditions, as well as harvesting, milling, bottling, and storage conditions all contribute to aromas and flavors.

Extra virgin olive oil can be made from any variety of olive; however, precise orchard, harvesting, milling, bottling, and storage conditions are required to produce real extra virgin olive oil.  Milagros is pleased to make available for purchase some of her fine, proprietary oils in limited quantities.  Contact her directly for details on obtaining it.

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