EVOO does have flavour. If you are tasting one that doesn’t, it is either an extremely mild varietal, or it is old and no longer carries forth its flavour or its health benefits (they evaporate over time).

Similar to the culture surrounding wine tasting, there is actually a technique that has been developed to taste olive oil to detect and enjoy its different notes and health benefits. Professional olive oil tasters sip olive oil straight, from a small glass vial similar to a shot glass. They cup the glass to heat the oil just slightly, thereby increasing its aroma and detectable flavour profile. This is important if you are sampling olive oils that may have only subtle differences.

The next step is to sniff the oil to contemplate its pungency and any different aromas it might carry. Then, when sipping the oil, it is beneficial to think about three different areas of taste:

Flavour. Is the EVOO grassy, or fruity, or maybe nutty? How much flavour does it have? Does it taste fresh? Does it taste pleasant?

Bitterness. A certain amount of bitterness should be present. Fresh olives themselves are distinctly bitter, so if your oil is not bitter, it’s actually not a good sign. Bitterness doesn’t have to be a negative quality, and certainly when you use EVOO with other ingredients or food, the bitterness is tempered. So bitterness level should be noted. Is it mildly bitter or distinctly bitter?

Aftertaste. The aftertaste is very interesting as it is typically described as peppery. A high degree of pepperiness or warmth in the back of the throat indicates the amount of polyphenols present in the oil. It is common to feel your throat warm up, and even give a little cough, if the EVOO is high in polyphenols.

Other tasting characteristics to note include mouthfeel, creaminess, sweetness, acidity, and more. Check out this article from the Olive Oil Times on tasting EVOO.

Our EVOOs range from mild to robust in these areas, which means there is very likely an EVOO out there that will be pleasing to your palate. Whether you desire something mild that will blend in with all your cooking and baking, or something robust for a prominent flavour in your salad dressings or marinades, a tasting room like ours is the best way to find an EVOO that is right for you.

Professional Taste-testing

Fine taste is said to be one of life's little pleasures, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil offers just that. But it's not just our opinion on the EVOOs that matters. Our oils and vinegars primarily are sourced from our distributor, MillPress Imports. And our cultivars from Spain are often sourced from a historical family mill called Almazara Andrés Aguilar located in Andalucia, Spain. Each Extra Virgin Olive Oil we provide has been taste tested by olive oil tasting experts who specialize in production and sensory evaluation. 

We then provide Tasting Notes for all of our EVOOs to help describe the flavour and feel, notes and nuances of truly great oil. All of our EVOOs are presented in-store and online with a detailed flavour description provided directly from the specialists at our distributors. PLUS, we taste them ourselves so we can give you our perspective when you come in-store for your own tasting tour.

Andrés Aguilar from Aguilar Estates describes his technique, saying, "We assess the intensity of its flavour and the sensations it leaves in the mouth... You can determine, for example, whether an oil is fruity (with aromas and flavours of fruits and produce), harmonious (with a great balance of aromas and flavours), or unbalanced (one aroma or flavour prevails over the others)."

Every olive oil is different, with flavour ranging from fruity, spicy, fresh, herbaceous, sweet, subtle, intense, and more. Their character, aroma, texture, and colour depend largely on the soil in which the olive trees that forge their essence grow. The variety and production method of the olive oil also influence its notes, as does one's individual palate and ability to detect flavours on the tongue. The more tastings you do, the more nuances you'll be able to discern; it's a matter of training your palate.

Tasting at Prairie Oils & Provisions

If you would like to try a taste test-ing at Prairie Oils & Provisions, we offer a demonstration of EVOO tasting technique at any time, without reservations. (Groups of 4 or more may want to call ahead to ensure a dedicated staff member is available to assist you.)

Or book your group a Tasting Event to enjoy the fully experience at our store! CLICK HERE to learn more.

Either way, we invite you to come enjoy a tasting experience at Prairie Oils today!

Click here to browse our collection of Super Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils and see their MillPress ratings, Composition, and Tasting Notes.