Our products: Olive Oil

Bertolli olive oils: a perfect balance of cultivation and culture

The best olive oils are a combination of what nature provides and what mankind has learned: a perfect balance of cultivation and taste.

Bertolli olive oils come from olives grown in fertile soil under the warm Mediterranean sun, harvested just before peak ripeness. Harvesting starts in November and carries through to February, depending on the region. The difference between extra virgin and simple olive oils depends on the way the fruit is harvested – high quality, extra virgin oil comes from olives pressed within 24 hours of harvesting.

Pressing yields a pure, oily paste from which precious extra virgin oil is extracted and then carefully stored to ensure freshness and flavour. Bertolli experts oversee the entire production process, from the moment of harvesting through to testing and approving the quality of the oil brought from the mills. Strict European Union regulations require several tests performed by a panel of professional tasters, who assess the oil’s taste, colour, aroma, clarity and density. Rigorous testing ensures that the final, bottled product is worthy of the Bertolli label.

Olive oil is an indispensable condiment, liberally used to enhance a wide variety of dishes, and the key ingredient in the preparation of authentic, healthful Mediterranean cuisine.

Eating foods made with olive oil is a delicious way to eat for good health, as olive oil is at the heart of the healthy Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. Olive oil is naturally high in unsaturated fatty acids, it can contribute positively to reducing heart disease risk by replacing saturated fatty acids in the diet. Extra virgin olive oil is also especially high in antioxidants and contains vitamin E, compounds that help slow the ageing process of cells.

In addition to its complementary flavour and healthful properties, extra virgin olive oil is an incredibly versatile cooking product. Its unique composition, high in mono unsaturated fatty acids with natural antioxidants and specific minor compounds, makes olive oil stable during storage and at high temperatures. Because of this, olive oil is useful for a variety of cooking techniques, from shallow and deep frying to sautéing, stewing, braising and even baking.

Bringing olive oil into your kitchen is an easy way to bring Italian vitality into your life. Just open a bottle of Bertolli, take in the golden colour and fragrant bouquet and enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean!