Labs
How to Interpret Our Olive Oil Lab Results
Olive oil quality can be measured objectively.
Independent laboratory analysis verifies freshness, purity, and antioxidant content — and explains how our olive oil tastes and performs.
Below is a plain-English guide to understanding the key lab results for Collias Estates Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Free Acidity
Result: 0.45%
(EU limit for Extra Virgin Olive Oil: ≤ 0.8%)
Free acidity measures the condition of the olives and how carefully the oil was produced — not flavor.
Lower acidity indicates:
Healthy olives
Careful harvesting
Rapid milling after harvest
What this means:
A low acidity confirms that the olives were handled properly and processed quickly, preserving quality from tree to mill.
Peroxide Value
Result: 8.48 meq O₂/kg
(EU limit: ≤ 20)
Peroxide value measures early oxidation — essentially how fresh and stable the oil is.
Lower values indicate:
Fresher oil
Better storage conditions
Longer shelf stability
What this means:
This low peroxide value reflects a fresh, well-preserved olive oil with strong resistance to oxidation.
UV Absorbance (K232, K270, ΔK)
These tests detect oxidation, improper storage, or adulteration.
Our results are well within Extra Virgin Olive Oil limits, confirming:
Purity
Proper handling
No refining or blending
What this means:
These values verify that the oil is genuinely extra virgin and carefully produced.
Total Polyphenols
Result: 644 mg/kg
Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in fresh olive oil. They are responsible for:
Bitterness
Peppery throat sensation
Oxidative stability
Health-supporting properties
Higher polyphenol levels are common in:
Early harvest oils
Well-stressed olive trees
Minimally processed oils
What this means:
The naturally bitter and peppery character of our olive oil is a sign of freshness and antioxidant richness — not a flaw.
Typical ranges:
Grocery Store Olive Oil:
50–150 mg/kg
Mild, little bitterness or pepperiness
Better Grocery / Imported EVOO:
150–250 mg/kg
Lightly fresh, still mild
Boutique / Small-Batch Olive Oil:
250–400 mg/kg
Noticeable bitterness and pepperiness
High-Polyphenol Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
400–700+ mg/kg
Bold, bitter, peppery, antioxidant-rich
EU-Approved Polyphenol Health Claim
Hydroxytyrosol & derivatives: 11.3 mg per 20 g of oil
(EU requirement: ≥ 5 mg per 20 g)
Our olive oil qualifies for the official European Union health claim:
“Olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress.”
What this means:
This claim is allowed only when laboratory testing confirms sufficient levels of specific phenolic compounds. Our result exceeds the required threshold by more than double.
Why Transparency Matters
Many olive oils never publish lab results.
Some are tested once — others not at all.
We believe transparency matters:
Numbers prevent marketing exaggeration
Lab results verify freshness and purity
Trust is built through openness
Every harvest of Collias Estates olive oil is independently tested so you know exactly what’s in the bottle.
Independent Laboratory Certification
Our olive oil is analyzed by an independent laboratory in Crete and certified to meet — and exceed — European Union standards for Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Laboratory certificates are available for review.