One of the keys to success in Spanish cuisine is high-quality olive oil. There is almost no dish that doesn’t include it in some way, and the Spaniards consider this ingredient to be liquid gold. It should come as no surprise then that a recent ranking states that the Spanish province of Andalucía claims a wide majority of the best olive oil in the world. 7 out of 10, to be exact! 

Oils and Herbs UK brings you cold-pressed, fresh, and clean Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Andalusia, Spain. It is the region with the highest production of olive oil in the world, internationally renowned as the “World Capital of Olive Oil. It is obtained from the first pressing of the olive and is left in its natural unrefined state for the highest nutrient retention possible and superior flavor. It is enriched with Vitamin E and A, Antioxidants, and Essential fatty acids. 

Andalucía has certainly been a land of olive trees for thousands of years. The olive tree dominates the landscape of southern Spain, with more than a million and a half hectares dedicated to its growth and gastronomy, as it is the basis of the Mediterranean diet

Spain is one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world. Its mild, Mediterranean climate, especially in the southern region of Andalucía, is ideal for growing a variety of olives. These olives are the source of premium olive oil that is sold in many countries around the world, and locally, at home. As it is such an important part of the country’s cuisine, economy, and identity, Spain takes so much pride in its gold-standard olive oil. So when the best olive oil of the year was announced at the Evooleum Awards in Madrid, it came as no surprise that Andalucía claimed 7 of the top 10 oils, among many other exciting accolades.

Andalucía takes many of the top honors in 2019

After the tasting, the judges announced the winners of the top honors. 7 of the top 10 oils of the year came from the provinces of Jaén and Córdoba, in Andalucía. Jaén, especially, is a powerhouse in Spain when it comes to producing incredible olive oil. So when the Absolute Best 2019, Oro Bailén Picual, was announced, it came as no surprise that it was from this province.

In addition to 7 of the Top10 being from Jaén and Córdoba alone, a total of 56 oils from Andalucía made the top 100 list. This is quite an achievement! Carmen Crespo, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development in Andalucía, participated in the awards ceremony in Madrid. On Andaluz products receiving more than 50% of the ceremony’s awards, she told Córdoba Buenas Noticias that “Today we feel very Andalusian, very Spanish.”

So if you want to discover olive oil and Spanish cuisine in Andalucía, join Food Lover Tour on an epic food tour! Our tours in Seville, Granada, and Málaga will open up the world of real Andaluz cooking to you!

Today oil is prized worldwide for its positive effect on our health as it is unsaturated fat, more beneficial than other fat coming from butter or margarine for example. Its daily consumption prevents cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cholesterol problems, among other ailments. It has also been shown that the consumption of extra virgin olive oil slows the effects of aging. On this link to see some of its properties that are good for your health.

The Andalucian extra virgin olive oil, like wines, has a Denominación de Orígen (D.O) which ensures the oil is not altered in any way and retains the aroma and original flavor of the olive, thus maintaining its excellent qualities. These oils are extra virgin, do you know the difference between the different types?

Extra virgin olive oil is 100% olive juice with no additives or preservatives, which preserves the flavor and aroma of olives and therefore meets the highest quality requirements with a maximum acidity of 0.8%. The next type would be virgin olive oil, which even when it has olive juice without preservatives or additives, does present some chemical alterations that limit the acidity up to 2%.

Although we could continue mentioning more types of oils – which are lower in the purity-quality ladder-, the next and final olive oil type for us would be olive oil (plain, not virgin or extra). It is a result of the mixture of other refined and virgin oils (the ratio varies around 10/20% olive oil and 80-90% refined oils), hence this oil is not pure olive juice.

That said, the protected Andalucian oils are extra virgin and they have a greenish-golden yellow color and fruity flavor from the different varieties of olives. What are the most used in Andalucia? Picual olive is the most widely produced throughout the world, with its bitter flavor, fruity smell, and green color.

Another variety is the pica olive, which has a fruity after-taste of almond oil and a touch of apple, giving it a sweet flavor. Another of the most used types in Andalucia is the Hoja Blanca, which also provides fruity, aromatic, sweet, and slightly spicy oil. Another of the most native olives in southern Spain is the vertical olive, typically from Malaga, which lacks bitterness and has a sweet and fruity taste. We can also mention the Lechín or Arbequina olive.

If you want to discover the best olive oils in Andalucia, make sure you stay at the best hotels. The best option, of course, is to go and visit Spain  The chain has branches where you can enjoy the best of each area throughout Andalucia, in addition to its services. It boasts over 60 years of experience and gives you the time to discover these treats for the palate. Marbella, Conil, Grazalema, El Rompido or Torrox are some sites where you can find these amazing hotels.