As a first step, we recommend you give preference to oils that are :

• Extra virgin - i.e. without taste defects

• Filtered - the olive residue in unfiltered oils greatly reduces the smoke point and shelf life

• From a single country and domain - vague wording such "EU and non-EU origin" usually indicate that it is a mixture of different oils of no particular taste interest, that is hardly traceable for the consumer!

• Latest harvest - unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with time, it is estimated that a quality olive oil remains extra virgin 18 to 24 months after extraction, depending on its initial polyphenol content

• In an opaque/dark container - UV rays oxidise olive oil very quickly, so don't be tempted by the good look of clear bottles!

On our site, all these boxes are of course ticked 😎

Green fruitiness oil will tend to lose most of its natural flavours when heated, so we recommend ripe fruitiness oil for cooking as a general rule. It is also a budget matter, since a green fruitiness olive oil is theoretically more expensive than a ripe fruitiness olive oil (the oil yield is 20 to 30% higher with more mature olives).

Discover Il Fattore in the Boutique, a ripe fruitiness oil that is suitable for all types of cooking.

The guidelines...

In principle, it is recommended to match the flavour intensity of a dish with the intensity of the olive oil fruitiness. If you are generally favouring one type of cuisine, choose an oil with a suitable profile:

• Rich traditional cuisine (roasted meats, gravy-based dishes, curries, stews) => green fruitiness oil with a strong aromatic profile that will bring a modern touch, in contrast with the umami and grilled flavours

• Complete dishes, Mediterranean diet (fish and white meats, grilled vegetables, soups, whole salads, mature cheeses) => medium intensity green fruitiness oils that will balance the flavours of the dish

• Simple and light dishes (green salads, steamed vegetables, fish, fresh cheeses) => delicate green fruitiness oils that will not overshadow the delicate flavours of the other ingredients

... And the exceptions!

You can also decide to play with contrasts to bring out the flavours of the olive oil. For example, Talismano on mozzarella are a real treat!

You can also let your personal taste prevail and ignore the principles. If you’d rather always use olive oil in a discrete manner, the delicate fruitiness oils are made for you. Conversely, others may like olive oils that bring a decisive touch and prefer robust fruitiness flavours in all circumstances!

Still can't decide? Our Green Fruitiness Set includes all three types of intensities. So you'll have the whole range at hand!