What is Mediterranean food without olive oil? It’s a dip for breads, a base for salad dressings, and so much more. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the different types of olive oils? Read on to find out how to taste the difference between mild and bold profiles.

First, you’ll need to taste the olive oil. To do it properly, pour a small amount into a cup and swirl it around. Swirling the oil helps release the scent of it, which in turn helps you taste it better. Smell it to once again aid your taste buds, and then take a small sip.

Lighter oils should have a light, buttery and smooth finish. This type of oil is great on fish, drizzled over greens, or in baked goods. The mild flavor makes it great for gentler flavors.

Bolder oils will have a more robust flavor. You may catch the bitterness of the polyphenols. It may taste peppery or even grassy. These flavors are all normal for a bold olive oil.

These olive oils are best for things like dip for bread, or even in a pesto. You want bolder, stronger flavors that won’t be overpowered.

Why it Matters

Pouring a bold, robust salad with mild leaves could overpower them. Instead of appreciating their delicate flavors, all you will get is the strong olive oil taste. At the same time, if you pour a gentle olive oil onto a kabob, you won’t be able to taste it because the meat overpowers the flavor of the oil.

Cooking is all about achieving a balance of flavors, and it is no different with olive oil. In order to enjoy olive oil to the fullest, you need to make sure the oil you choose is a good balance for the foods you are eating. This way, both the olive oil and the ingredient it dresses has room to shine.

What Affects Olive Oil Intensity?

Often, both a mild flavored olive oil and a bold one can both be extra-virgin. If they’re made more or less the same way and with the same quality olives, what makes their flavor so different?

Olives harvested at the beginning of a season tend to have a bolder, more robust flavor than olives grown at the end of the season. The types of olive grown can also make a big difference in flavor. There are actually hundreds of different types of olives, all of which with their own unique flavor profiles.

Finally, processing method can make a difference in how different oils taste. Cold pressed oils do the best job of showcasing the olives original flavor.

The next time you enjoy one of the many delicious dishes olive oil is a part of, take a moment and really pay attention to the flavor of the olive oil. Every oil has its own personality, and if you learn to pay attention, you can appreciate the meal it is used in a whole lot more.