2017 olive oil analysis: a look at the first results Campagna Olearia 2017 in Toscana

The 2017 oil production season is now drawing to a close, at least in Tuscany, and the time has come to consider results obtained from the first oil analyses.

Reduced productivity was predicted during the early season, however in terms of quality, very low acidity levels were expected due to the absence of flies, along with medium-high polyphenol levels. Forecasts should never be taken for granted, however.

With oil production drawing to a close, it can be said that good oil quality has somewhat regaled the spirits of professionals in the sector, who are facing problems due to low production levels.

Once more, this year numerous Tuscan oil samples are being analysed at CDR laboratories, in particular from the Florence province, using the CDR OxiTester analysis system.

Oil analyses carried out to date confirm forecasts from the start of the season: everything has gone according to expectations. Indeed most samples yielded high or very high quality results.

To date results demonstrate:

• very low acidity for all analysed samples, with an average of 0.11% (oleic acid), without a doubt the lowest value from the last few years.
• It has been a record year for polyphenols, with a very high average (560 mg/Kg), and with the highest values close to 900 mg/Kg.
• Peroxide value which are generally very low for fresh oils, slightly exceeded historic averages but remained well within extra virgin limits.
  Obviously organoleptic values confirmed the product’s excellent quality.

The table here below contains analyses according to polyphenol (biophenol) levels: