Spain is at the forefront in the production of the best olive oils in the world thanks to the quality of its olive trees, the unique varieties of its olives and the care taken by olive-growing families for generations in the production processes, so much so that our oils are annually at the top of the rankings of the main olive oil guides published in the sector.
As is to be expected, Spain occupies the majority of positions that recognise best extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) in the world, with only the Italian oil market being overshadowed by some brands such as Don Giocchino Grand Cru and Schinosa.
This is a constant duel for the pinnacle of excellence in the production of liquid gold. Who will win the tie-breaker?
Contenidos
- Best olive oils in the world
- What makes Jaén olive oil so special?
- The 5 best Spanish EVOOs
- RINCÓN DE LA SUBBÉTICA
- ORO BAILÉN VARIETY PICUAL
- NOBLEZA DEL SUR CENTENARIUM PREMIUM VARIEDAD PICUAL
- MELGAREJO VARIEDAD HOJIBLANCA
- CASTILLO DE CANENA 1ST DAY OF HARVESTING ARBEQUINA VARIETY
- Where to buy the best premium olive oils At Aceite Oliva Online
Best olive oils in the world
In these competitions and guides to the best EVOO, tasters from Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, Argentina, Japan, Israel and the United States usually take part, with a blind tasting of up to 800 oils from all corners of the planet.
The most renowned Spanish varieties in the competition are picual, arbequina, hojiblanca, cornicabra, manzanilla, empeltre or picuda; Italian varieties such as leccino, coratina, frantoio or bosana; Portuguese varieties such as cobrançosa, verdeal, galega or cordovil; Moroccan picholine; or Croatian buža.
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What makes Jaén olive oil so special?
The oil from Jaén is appreciated all over the world thanks to the careful elaboration of its processes, which nowadays are carried out with modern stainless steel machinery that does not heat the mass unnecessarily.
This means that the properties of the oils suffer as little as possible, preserving all their organoleptic properties and guaranteeing the know-how of hundreds of families who have worked the olive tree for centuries.
We could say that daily life in Jaén revolves around the world of EVOO, and this lifestyle is reflected in its customs, gastronomy and culture.
The production of olive oil in Jaén dates back to the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs, who left their mark on the Jaén olive way of life through myths, beliefs, remedies or the relationship with nature.
Nowadays, Jaén is the main olive oil producer in the world, with the largest extension of natural parks in Spain and the largest number of workers dedicated to the olive tree.
Olive oil in Jaén is not only a cultural dynamizer, but also a source of employment for hundreds of families who produce the precious liquid gold.
Ninety percent of the olive oil produced in Jaén is of the picual variety, a deep oil with an unmistakable aroma and a telltale sharpness that has aromas of freshly cut grass and vegetables such as tomatoes, with hints of green apple and bitter almond.
Its distinctive flavour makes it an ideal complement to grilled meats, fresh vegetables and salads, fish and even fried foods and slow stews.
Its concentration of oleic acid and resistance to oxidation makes it an ideal variety for preserving food in oil and for use in frying.
As if this were not enough, Picual olive oil from Jaén enhances the flavour of vegetables, cheeses and cold meats such as ham, cured meats and pork loins.
The 5 best Spanish EVOOs
Although it is difficult to compile a compendium of the best Spanish extra virgin olive oils, we propose below a list compiled by our expert tasters at Aceite Oliva Online.
You can buy this premium oil in our Olive Oil Online shop with brands that come directly from the oil mill to your shelves.
RINCÓN DE LA SUBBÉTICA
Rincón de la Subbética has been considered for many years the best olive oil in the world, winning Gold medals in more than 20 national and international competitions.
The Rincón de la Subbética Altitude edition is a limited edition of organic extra virgin olive oil of the hojiblanca variety, extracted from centenary olive trees in the province of Córdoba.
This is the latest novelty from Almazaras de la Subbética with a beautiful packaging, it is a premium brand that you can find in our online shop and is known for being the most awarded Spanish cooperative in the world.
ORO BAILÉN VARIETY PICUAL
This oil from Oro Bailén Reserva Familiar has been considered by some guides as the best oil in the world in 2020. It is produced in the foothills of Sierra Morena and has a complex green fruitiness, in which you can appreciate aromas of tomato, apple, freshly cut grass, green banana, green almond, and undoubtedly what marks this oil is its bitter-spicy balance, very pleasant. It is sweet on the palate, leaving a sensation of greenery and freshness on the palate.
NOBLEZA DEL SUR CENTENARIUM PREMIUM VARIEDAD PICUAL
We are back to vindicate the extra virgin olive oil from Jaén with the Nobleza del Sur Centenarium Premium brand. It is identified and differentiated by an immediate sensation of clean, fruity and herbaceous fragrances. Of great aromatic complexity, highlighting the olive leaf, wheat grass, tomato and fruity notes such as banana and green almond. In the mouth it is very balanced, with a very pleasant sweet entry, a slight bitterness and the classic spiciness of the picual from Jaén. Its persistence over time is delicate and elegant.
MELGAREJO VARIEDAD HOJIBLANCA
Melgarejo is a family business located in Pegalajar, in the province of Jaén, which continues with more than two centuries of tradition in the production of olive oil. The olives are harvested from mid-October onwards and the oil is stored in stainless steel tanks inertised with nitrogen. The extra virgin olive oil of the hojiblanca variety has an intense fruity nose of green olives, with herbaceous nuances of acorns, green almonds, banana peel and apple. In the mouth it is sweet and slightly spicy with a very light bitterness. Ideal for pairing with fish, salads, pasta or potatoes.
CASTILLO DE CANENA 1ST DAY OF HARVESTING ARBEQUINA VARIETY
Castillo de Canena First Harvest Day is one of our most awarded and well-known extra virgin olive oils in Spain and with greater international projection. Its attractive packaging is designed by a person of national relevance such as Pau Gasol, Fernando Alonso, Alex de la Iglesia, among others. Its arbequina variety is fruity on the nose, with notes of fresh olives, with light touches of green apple and artichoke, and a slight spicy nuance typical of the arbequinos from Jaén. On the palate it has an elegant entry; it is fluid and sweet on the palate, although a slight spiciness and a slightly perceptible bitterness gradually appear.
We are specialist tasters with more than 10 years of experience in the premium extra virgin olive oil sector. Our company is located in Jaén, the birthplace of the olive tree, which makes us appreciate every day the important legacy and role of the olive tree in the way of life of our environment and its families. You can buy the best gourmet olive oils in our shop and get to know unique experiences thanks to our internationally prestigious brands or our famous oil tasting pack of early olive oils from Jaén as well known as Castillo de Canena, Oro Bailén, Nobleza del Sur and Melgarejo.
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Let yourself be advised by the best professionals in the sectorbesto and write to us with no obligation to consult us about the best oils that you can buy with us directly from the mill and only from the 2020-2021 annual harvest. We look forward to hearing from you!