Originally Posted by
Pepijn
I would however recommend everybody to buy Extra Virgin. That by itself does not have to be expensive and the flavour is clearly better.
What
alanw was saying is proved by this evidence:
Originally Posted by
LapLap
So the results of a selection of everyday Spanish oil by an official panel of graders were
ELOSUA - 7.1 - Extra Virgin
CARBONELL - 7 - Extra Virgin
LA ESPAÑOLA - 5.8 - Virgin
YBARRA - 6.9 - Extra Virgin
OLIDOR OLIVAL - 8 - Extra Virgin
KOIPE - 6.4 - Virgin
CORDOBA - 6 - Virgin
LA MASIA - 7 - Extra Virgin
(SNIP)
Just for comparison, consumers, using less stringent and methodical means, gave the same oils these scores:
ELOSUA - 6.5
CARBONELL - 6
LA ESPAÑOLA - 7
YBARRA - 7
OLIDOR OLIVAL - 7
KOIPE - 5.5
CORDOBA - 6.5
LA MASIA - 7
When it comes to personal preference, the oil's label or price is not always the best indicator. In the example I've shown, many Spaniards were perfectly satisfied with 'LA ESPAÑOLA' Virgin Olive Oil and ranked it just as highly as a 'technically superior' Extra Virgin Oil (OLIDOR OLIVAL),
If an oil is 'Extra Virgin', this is evidently a good sign of the oil's quality, but it's perfectly feasible that someone may prefer the flavour of a 'Virgin' Olive Oil better.