Olive Oil Production and Processing Techniques
September 9, 2023
The olive tree, belonging to the Oleaceae family, has been cultivated along the Mediterranean coast for over 4,000 years. Alongside camellia oil, palm oil, and coconut oil, it is considered one of the four major woody oil crops. Olive oil is extracted from the fresh fruit of the olive tree (excluding oils obtained through solvent extraction or transesterification processes, and without mixing with other types of oils). It is rich in balanced fatty acids, antioxidant phenolic compounds, vitamins, and other nutrients. These attributes help reduce the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, lower LDL cholesterol levels, and may aid in preventing cancers such as breast and colon cancer, as well as offering antibacterial and antiviral benefits. Due to its long history and rich nutrition, olive oil is known as "liquid gold" and the "queen of vegetable oils," prized by consumers for its unique flavor. Olive oil can be categorized into three main types based on processing methods: virgin olive oil, refined olive oil, and blended olive oil. Virgin olive oil is further divided into extra virgin olive oil, fine...