a variety of Greek olive oils

There are hundreds of varieties of olive trees, some used mainly for table olives and others generally dedicated to olive oil. Olive oil types are defined differently in North America and Europe, but extra virgin is widely considered the best. Olive oils differ in taste, quality, and health benefits based on a number of variables:

Alexandra Devarenne cooking at a California State Fair

What kind of olive oil is it? That depends. In the USA, it is often described as extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, or light-tasting olive oil. On the other hand, the International Olive Council (IOC) discusses more different designations. Like many other organizations, the IOC focuses on the difference between virgin olive oils and non-virgin olive oils.

North American Olive Oil Association very horiz banner