Olive Oils

Olive oil is a staple in kitchens across the world. And it’s not a surprise why. Due to the many health benefits and unique flavors, the popularity of olive oil continues to soar.

At Columbus, we source the highest quality olives trees in Europe and process with precision to create several varieties, each with its own characteristics. Here is a summary of the different olive oil types:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This is the highest quality and most sought-after type of olive oil. It is made from pure, cold-pressed olives without any refining. Extra virgin olive oil has a distinct flavor, low acidity and high levels of antioxidants, including vitamin E. It is ideal for dressings, dips, salads and finishing dishes where its flavor can be appreciated.

Virgin Olive Oil
It is slightly less refined than extra virgin olive oil but still retains robust flavor and nutritional value. It is used for frying, roasting and other cooking methods that require higher heat.

Refined Olive Oil
This type is processed using heat to remove impurities and improve shelf life. It has a neutral flavor and higher smoke point compared to extra virgin and virgin olive oils. In addition to cooking at high temperatures, refined olive oil is often used for applications where flavor is less of a concern.

Olive Pomace Oil
This is an oil made from the leftover pulp after the first press. It is typically used in industrial food preparation and has a more neutral taste. Pomace is also blended with other oils to create a custom blend.

It is important to note that not all olive oil is pure. Olive oil adulteration is when a lower quality oil is mixed into olive oil without proposer disclosure. It continues to be a growing concern. The fraud not only hurts the end user but creates distrust in the culinary world. At Columbus, we focus on quality and transparency, which is why we are a proud member of the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA). Columbus closely tracks its supply chain to ensure authenticity in every drop.