How Do We Get Olive Oil ?

Olive oil has been produced since Roman times and is, unsurprisingly, derived from olives, which grow on relatively low trees, particularly within the Mediterranean:  Italy and Spain produce a lot of olive oil.  The oil is effectively 'squeezed out' of the olives by a process known as pressing the olives.

There are several 'grades' of olive oil.  The most highly valued oil is known as extra-virgin olive oil.  It is called extra virgin because it is produced at the very first pressing of the olives.  This is the most expensive and some would argue, the most flavoursome of olive oils.  Olive oil which is produced by taking all the olives which have been pressed and then re-pressing them again is simply known as olive oil and is equally as good in terms of health benefits, but is less expensive because the quality is slightly poorer than the extra virgin olive oil.