Chemistry Analysis Dashboard
To qualify as EVOO, producers must ensure their product reaches the quality standards set by standards organisations around the world – and they test their products to ensure this. The data below are collected from oil brands we list on Extra Virgin Vault.
Olive Oil Chemistry Explorer
Interactive analysis of chemical properties across our database of premium olive oils
IOOC Quality Standards Compliance
Free Fatty Acids
Peroxide Value
Phenolic Content
Quality Indicators Overview
Testing Coverage
Statistical Summary
Understanding Olive Oil Chemistry
Quality Indicators
Free Fatty Acids (FFA)
What it measures: Oil acidity and deterioration
IOOC Standard: ≤ 0.8% for Extra Virgin
Why it matters: Lower values indicate better quality and proper handling from harvest to bottling.
Peroxide Value
What it measures: Primary oxidation level
IOOC Standard: ≤ 20 meq/kg for Extra Virgin
Why it matters: Indicates how well the oil has been protected from oxygen exposure.
UV Absorption (K232, K268)
What it measures: Secondary oxidation and processing defects
IOOC Standards: K232 ≤ 2.5, K268 ≤ 0.22
Why it matters: Detects heat damage and refining processes that shouldn't occur in EVOO.
Health & Flavor Compounds
Phenolic Content
What it measures: Antioxidant polyphenol compounds
Health threshold: >250 mg/kg for EU health claims
Why it matters: Higher levels provide better health benefits and natural preservation.
Pungency
What it measures: Throat-burning sensation intensity
Scale: 0-10 (higher is more intense)
Why it matters: Indicates presence of beneficial oleocanthal compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.
Bitterness & Fruitiness
What it measures: Sensory characteristics
Scale: 0-10 for intensity
Why it matters: Bitterness correlates with healthy polyphenols; fruitiness indicates quality and freshness.
Quality Grading System
| Parameter | Excellent | Good | Acceptable | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Fatty Acids (%) | ≤ 0.2 | 0.2 - 0.4 | 0.4 - 0.8 | > 0.8 |
| Peroxide Value (meq/kg) | ≤ 5 | 5 - 10 | 10 - 20 | > 20 |
| Phenolic Content (mg/kg) | > 400 | 250 - 400 | 150 - 250 | < 150 |
| UV K232 | ≤ 1.5 | 1.5 - 2.0 | 2.0 - 2.5 | > 2.5 |