We’re extremely excited to announce that we recently received our Ultra-Premium (UP) certification from Veronica Foods!
What does Ultra-Premium mean? It’s a completely new standard of olive oil. Straight from the Ultra Premium website (upextravirginoliveoil.com ): “Ultra Premium (UP) is a new category of olive oil that distinguishes the highest quality olive oil in the world. The UP standard was created in response to the growing need to separate high quality extra virgin olive oils from what dominates the so called “gourmet” and “premium” olive oil markets. In order to qualify for the UP grade, the extra virgin olive oil must meet or exceed a comprehensive set of Production, Storage, Transportation, Testing, Chemistry, and Organoleptic requirements as set forth…”
In order for an olive oil to be labeled “Extra Virgin”, it has to have a free fatty acid level of 0.8% or below, an oleic acid level of at least 55%, and can have no smell or taste defects. If that doesn’t seem like much – well, it really isn’t. Ultra Premium Olive Oil must have a free fatty acid level of 0.3% or below, an oleic acid level of at least 65%, and also introduces new standards for polyphenol levels. You can see the details in the chart below:
There are only 27 stores in Canada that carry Ultra-Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Come in to our main store, or visit our booth at the Calgary Farmer’s Market to taste the difference!