Olive Oil Quality Testing
Understanding Olive Oil Quality Testing
Not all extra virgin olive oils are the same. While taste and aroma are important, olive oil quality can also be evaluated using recognized chemical measurements.
At Acropolis Organics, we believe consumers should be able to look beyond marketing claims and understand the measurable characteristics of the olive oil they are buying.
Our extra virgin olive oil is analyzed using important quality measurements including free acidity, peroxide value, K232 and K270.
Free Acidity
Free acidity is one of the fundamental measurements used to classify olive oil.
It is expressed as a percentage of free fatty acids, calculated as oleic acid. Lower acidity can indicate that healthy olives were handled and processed carefully, although acidity alone does not determine the overall quality of an olive oil.
To qualify as extra virgin under international standards, an olive oil must meet established limits for free acidity along with other chemical and sensory requirements.
Peroxide Value
Peroxide value is an indicator of primary oxidation in olive oil.
Oxidation can occur as oil is exposed to factors such as oxygen, heat and light. A lower peroxide value generally indicates less primary oxidation at the time of testing.
This is one reason proper harvesting, milling, storage and packaging are so important to maintaining olive oil quality.
What Is K232?
K232 is a measurement of ultraviolet light absorption at a wavelength of 232 nanometres.
It is primarily associated with compounds formed during the early stages of oxidation.
K232 therefore provides another piece of information about the condition and oxidative quality of an olive oil.
What Is K270?
K270 measures ultraviolet absorption at 270 nanometres.
It can help identify compounds associated with secondary oxidation and certain processing or quality defects.
Together with other measurements, K270 can provide important information about an olive oil's quality and integrity.
Why Look at More Than One Number?
No single measurement proves that an olive oil is exceptional.
That's why olive oil analysis considers multiple characteristics.
Free acidity + Peroxide Value + K232 + K270
Provide a much more informative picture than simply looking at one measurement in isolation.
Sensory evaluation, olive variety, freshness, harvesting, production methods, storage and traceability also matter.
Quality You Can Measure
Acropolis Organics produces Koroneiki extra virgin olive oil from Crete, Greece with an emphasis on traceability and careful production.
Our EVOO is:
- Single Estate
- Single Mill
- Single Variety — Koroneiki
- Hand-Picked
- Cold Extracted
- Quality Tested
We believe exceptional olive oil should be supported by more than beautiful packaging.
Know the origin. Know the variety. Understand the numbers.