18 Mar

NZ: CRI denies involvement in olive oil judging scandal

By Allan Swann,
Plant & Food Research is distancing itself from a recent Olives NZ judging scandal, claiming its involvement had nothing to do the outcome that saw head judge Margaret Edwards award her own oil first place.
Plant and Food Research, formerly HortResearch, provided venues, equipment and logistics for the event, but spokesman Roger Bourne [...]

19 Nov

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission eyes olive oil claims

By Leslie White,

AUSTRALIA’S competition watchdog will investigate the apparent failure of some imported olive oils to live up to their premium “extra virgin” label.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry follows tests by a NSW Government laboratory that found many imported oils labelled as extra virgin were actually a lower grade oil, were heat treated [...]

11 Nov

Australia: Time to act on olive oil

Spanish olive oil giant Carbonell has demanded to see test results that found some of its products wanting will do nothing to address the image problem confronting large, foreign olive-oil producers.
It has been no secret in Australian olive oil industry circles for some years that many imported brands were not living up to their premium [...]

23 May

Inauguration by his Majesty the King of Morocco of an olive grove with Spanish technology

On April 3rd 2008, Its Majesty King Mohammed VI carried out the inauguration of a mechanized plantation of olive-trees (directed by GPS) of Spanish varieties (Arbequina and Arbossana) and Greek variety (Koroneiki) pertaining to the Company AGRO HEALTH and located in the Moroccan area of Beni-Mellal.
This plantation was designed and led technically by the [...]

04 Apr

Quality olive oil worth its weight in taste, nutrients

By Linda Hoffman,
Olive oil is delicious and healthy, containing a monounsaturated fat, needed antioxidants and enzymes.
We need to look for expeller first cold pressed oil, which means it has been produced without damaging heat and chemical solvents. The term “extra virgin” by itself is no longer sufficient to guarantee quality, as some imports have been [...]

18 Mar

UC Davis launches center to nurture emerging olive oil industry

By Laura Kurtzman,
After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the University of California, Davis established a research department that led to the flowering of the California wine industry now, it hopes to do the same for olive oil.
The challenges to the emerging industry are significant. They include finding economical ways to produce fine oil, dealing [...]

17 Jan

Italian virgin olive oil must have label

A new law in Italy requires producers of virgin and extra-virgin olive oil to include labels indicating where the olives were picked and pressed.
The purpose is to guarantee authenticity and quality, a report from Rome said.
The consumer group Codacons likes the new law but thinks it’s not enough to eliminate fraud. Members want acidity levels [...]

14 Sep

Sicilians olive oil maker losing faith in United States

By A. Craig Copetas,
Beneath the precious fruit of an olive tree planted in 1776 outside the mountain hamlet of Sambuca di Sicilia, Giovanni Di Bennardo mops summer dust from his brow and explains how he’ll make it to America.
“I will only go when I’m a rich man,” said the 29-year-old manager of Di Bennardo Olive [...]

30 Aug

Harvest season comes alive with flavors from Olive Oil from Spain

Fall marks the annual olive harvest in Spain, the world’s leading producer of olive oil. Though a secret to many, Olive Oil from Spain has long been the favorite choice of leading chefs and culinary experts around the world.
Karen MacNeil, one of the nation’s most sophisticated palates and noted food and wine pairing expert, believes [...]

30 Aug

Belazu Gives Olive Oil a Hard Time

A UK first has been achieved by Mediterranean specialist Belazu with the introduction of two solid Extra Virgin Olive Oil products into the retail market.
‘Belazu Premier Choix Spreadable Oil’ is made from the brand’s liquid Premier Choix Extra Virgin Olive Oil and offers all the practical and culinary versatility of butter, but with all the [...]

21 Aug

Madera, CA: Olive price is up, but production mediocre

By Ramona Frances,
Unlike other commodities in Madera County, the fruit from olive-bearing orchards will not lead to a “bumper” crop this year. The price may be good, but this year’s yields aren’t as impressive.
“Some of the trees are looking good (this year), others don’t have anything on them at all,” said grower Jim Erickson said [...]

20 Aug

Olive oil offerings

By Peta Mathias,
The olive oils you see in the supermarket vary in quality. Some are exceptional value for money but you really just have to buy and taste them to find (a) the best and (b) the one you like.
You cannot tell what an oil is like by its colour – it gives no indication [...]

20 Aug

Myriad benefits of Olive oil

Diabetes:
An olive-oil-rich diet is not only a good alternative in the treatment of diabetes, but also helps in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease.

Obesity and abdominal fat:
Olive oil is high in calories like any other fats and oils, but the research states that, there is less obesity amongst the Mediterranean peoples, who consume [...]

14 Aug

Californian table olive growers get record prices as acreage shrinks

By Ching Lee,
California olive growers are expecting excellent prices for this year’s crop, which is projected to be 112,000 tons, up considerably from last year’s 16,800 tons.
After a disastrous crop in 2006, California table olive growers are poised to receive some of the highest prices ever for their fruit this year, but many fear growers [...]

06 Aug

Olive extract may improve quality of life for arthritis sufferers

By Stephen Daniells,
Supplementation with an olive extract decreased pain and inflammation, and improved the quality of life of people suffering from osteoarthritis, claims a new study.
Writing in the new issue of the journal Nutrition Research, researchers from Arizona State University and California-based company CreAgri report that the supplements also had the added benefit of decreasing [...]