Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Most Up-To Date-Questions Answered

All You Need To Know About The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Health And Flavour

^{Updated July 26th 2024}

The wealth of information about extra virgin olive oil can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you’re curious about its health benefits or just want to learn how to incorporate it into your cooking, we at Morocco Gold have all the essential facts you need.

1. What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality and finest olive oil available. It boasts high levels of powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols, with no fewer than seven different types found in Morocco Gold. Genuine extra virgin olive oil is rare, making it slightly more expensive. However, this cost reflects the meticulous care and attention devoted to its production, transportation, and harvesting. To be certified as extra virgin, olive oil must meet stringent criteria:

• Come from a single source, it is not mixed / blended with other olive oils, even if they are of extra virgin olive oil quality
• Come from the first pressing of fresh, young olives, normally within 24 hours of harvesting
• Be extracted purely by mechanical means at temperatures specifically below 28C.
• Have free fatty acid or acidity level (normally measured as oleic acid) of less than 0.8%.
• Be defect free and have a perfect taste and aroma.

2. How Much Extra Virgin Olive Oil Do You Need To Take To Be Healthy?

Wisdom and personal preference differ when it comes to incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your daily meals or consuming it as a single health-boosting ‘shot.’ However, we support both methods! It is widely agreed that approximately 15-20 ml or two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day is sufficient to enjoy a multitude of health benefits.

3. Can You Cook With Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Absolutely, yes! Do not listen to the scare mongers who claim that extra virgin olive oil is not the best choice for cooking. Many top chefs are vocal advocates of using it in their cooking processes as well as an accompaniment or base for dressings. As we explain in detail, Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil has three key qualities that make it an excellent cooking oil: it contains predominantly stable monounsaturated fatty acids, it has a low level of free fatty acids, and it boasts a high level of protective antioxidants.

4. Can you apply Extra Virgin Olive Oil Directly To Your Hair Or Skin?

Yes!  And if you don’t believe us,  just ask celebrities such as Cipriana Quann, Julia Roberts or Sophia Loren,  a small selection of the high profile names lining up to thank extra virgin olive oil for contributing to the health of their skin and hair. From your head to your toes, extra virgin olive oil can be used in a variety of skin care routines that provides an  all-natural alternative to soaps and creams that contain harsh chemicals.

5. Where Does Morocco Gold Come From?

Unsurprisingly, given the name, Morocco Gold comes from – you’ve guessed it – Morocco.  To be more specific, it comes from groves in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.  The specific soil conditions of the Beni Mellal region, together with the mild winters and summers, caressed by hot winds from the Sahara, make ideal growing conditions for Morocco Gold olives.

6. What gives Morocco Gold Its Unique Taste?

The unique taste and quality of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil result from a combination of factors working in perfect harmony. The exceptional flavor is achieved through meticulous care and attention to detail throughout the entire production process. This includes soil infiltration, intercropping of cereals and almond trees, which contribute to its distinctive taste, and proper irrigation of the olive trees. Quality control measures are implemented during harvest, followed by thorough washing to remove impurities. Finally, the oil is extracted at precisely controlled temperatures, with nothing added or removed at the end of the process.

7. What Are The Key Health Benefits?

This one really is tricky to answer briefly, and we go in to this in more detail here, but we will give you the top proven benefits of adding the best extra virgin olive oil you can find to your diet:

1. Reduced of risk of cardiovascular diseases
2. Beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis
3. Maintains the digestive tract in good health
4. Helps to reduce blood pressure
5. Help control healthy cholesterol levels
6. Olive oil eases or prevents diabetes
7. Olive oil lessens the severity of osteoporosis

8. What Should I Look Out For On The Label Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

We know that by choosing Morocco Gold you are guaranteed the very highest quality in olive oil but we also know that there are alternative choices out there and we want you to understand the key facts on the label. 

To be labeled as extra virgin olive oil, several key criteria must be met. These include an acidity level lower than 0.8%, a peroxide value no higher than 20 MEQ O2/kg, and a wax content less than or equal to 250 mg/kg. Additionally, to claim health benefits, the polyphenol levels must be greater than or equal to 250 mg/kg. These stringent standards ensure that the oil maintains its purity, flavor, and nutritional value. Extra virgin olive oil must undergo rigorous testing and quality control measures to verify compliance with these standards.

Other important aspects to keep in mind include Storage Information, Best Before Date, and Nutritional Information. These details are crucial for ensuring the product’s quality and safety. Proper storage can extend shelf life, the best before date indicates peak freshness, and nutritional information helps you make informed dietary choices.