Esmea organic extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed. This ensures that it undergoes a specific extraction process to ensure we create the highest quality oil.
The cold pressed process typically involves the following steps:
Harvesting: The olives are carefully hand-picked or mechanically harvested at the optimal stage of ripeness to ensure the best flavor and quality.
Cleaning and Washing: The harvested olives are thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, leaves, or impurities.
Grinding: The olives are crushed into a paste using stone mills or stainless steel grinders. This grinding process breaks down the olives and releases the oil.
Malaxation: The olive paste is gently mixed or stirred to help distribute the oil evenly throughout the paste. This process allows the oil droplets to coalesce and aids in the separation of the oil from the solids.
Pressing: The olive paste is placed onto fiber disks or mats, which are then stacked and pressed to extract the oil. The pressure applied during pressing helps separate the oil from the remaining solids.
Separation: After pressing, the oil is separated from the solids and any remaining water through a centrifuge or a decanting process. This separation ensures a clean and pure oil.
Filtration: In some cases, the oil may undergo filtration to remove any remaining impurities or sediment, further enhancing its clarity and quality.
The benefits of Esmea organic extra virgin olive oil being cold-pressed are as follows:
High Quality: Cold pressing helps retain the natural flavors, aromas, and nutritional properties of the olives, resulting in a superior quality oil. The process minimises oxidation and preserves the unique characteristics of the olives, producing a flavorful and well-balanced oil.
Nutritional Value: Cold-pressed olive oil maintains a higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins (such as vitamin E), and beneficial compounds like polyphenols, which are known for their potential health benefits.
Delicate Flavor: Cold-pressed olive oil often exhibits a more vibrant and fruity flavor profile due to the gentle extraction process. It can have grassy, peppery, or even nutty notes, depending on the olive variety and origin.
Extra Virgin Quality: Cold-pressed olive oil is typically associated with the extra virgin designation, which is the highest grade of olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is unrefined, ensuring that it retains its natural qualities, and it meets strict standards for acidity, taste, and aroma.
Health Benefits: Extra virgin olive oil, especially when cold-pressed, is considered a healthy fat due to its monounsaturated fatty acid content. It is associated with various health benefits, such as supporting heart health, reducing inflammation, and providing antioxidant protection.