What if I told you that our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is
0.31% 10.2 1.55 0.16 0.01 virgin ?
These figures might appear random or cryptic to most, but to us, they are a reflection of the purity and quality of our small batch Extra Virgin Olive Oil, in absolute scientific terms !
Kokkinies Extra Virgin Olive Oil is certified annually by a reputable chemical laboratory. The tests are performed within days after the pressing, and the results are posted here in the form of a Certificate you can download. This is your Certificate of purity and authenticity for the olive oil you’re buying from us.
The Tests Explained
There are 5 basic values measured to determine whether an Olive Oil is Extra Virgin :
1. Acidity : As defined in the European Commission regulation No. 2568/91, Extra Virgin Olive Oil must feature a free acidity of less than 0.8%, expressed as a percentage of the Oleic Acid content of the oil
The most recent value for Kokkinies Extra Virgin Olive Oil is 0.31%
2. Peroxides : Measured in multiequivalents of Oxygen per Kilogram (meq O2/kg), peroxides reflect the oxidisation levels of the olive oil as it is exposed to environmental conditions right after the pressing, with higher values affecting colour, aroma and shelf life. The upper limit of this value is 20, with excellent olive oils achieving values of less than 12
The most recent value for Kokkinies Extra Virgin Olive Oil is 10.2 meq O2/kg
3. K232 : This is a UV spectrometry analysis, measuring the oil’s absorbance of light at 232 nanometres, indicating the presence of oxidised compounds to determine quality and purity, or detect mixtures with lesser oils. The maximum acceptable value is 2.50
The most recent value for Kokkinies Extra Virgin Olive Oil is 1.55
4. K268 : This is a second UV spectrometry analysis, measuring the oil’s light absorbance at 268 nanometres, and therefore the presence of aldehydes and ketones. More of those secondary oxidation products means that the olive oil is not fresh, with the maximum acceptable value being 0.22
The most recent value for Kokkinies Extra Virgin Olive Oil is 0.16
δΚ : The Delta Kappa is another spectrometry test performed in a range of UV wavelengths which can detect any adulteration with other refined oils. This has to be below or equal to 0.01
The most recent value for Kokkinies Extra Virgin Olive Oil is below 0.01
Science vs Tradition
Science offers the means of certification of the quality of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil. However, we owe the quality of the result to Nature and Tradition.
At Kokkinies, as a matter of principle, we let nature take its course. For example, we do not perform non-essential fertilisation or soil amendments, and we do not utilise artificial watering other than what rain nature might bring us each year. Our olive trees are pruned and harvested by local experts using traditional small scale, non-invasive methods.
It is completely natural that these values will change slightly from year to year. They are a reflection of a vast combination of factors – the time of the harvest, the ever changing local and global climate conditions, the amount of rainfall, and the constant battle against soil deterioration, pests and disease.
But we would rather concede small variations in the quality of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil, rather than “cheesing” the result by using artificial or experimental enhancement methods, and this is a promise !
KOKKINIES 