FAQ

Doleon is a fresh 100% olive juice of unsurpassed quality!

How many categories of olive oil are there?

There are four categories of olive oil: extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, refined olive oil and olive pomace oil.

  • Extra virgin olive oil
    This oil comes from virgin oil production uniquely and is considered of higher quality and superior taste. It has a fruity taste and no sensory defects. Extra virgin olive oil must contain no more than 0,8% free acidity.
  • Virgin olive oil
    Virgin olive oil also comes from virgin oil production only, however it is of lower quality with free acidity up to 1,5%.
  • Refined olive oil
    Oils labelled as “Pure olive oil” or “Olive oil” are primarily refined olive oil, with a small addition of virgin production to give taste.
  • Olive pomace oil
    Olive pomace oil is olive oil that is extracted from olive pulp after the first press and then often blended with some virgin oil. It is fit for consumption, but may not be described simply as olive oil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Virgin Olive Oil are produced by simply crushing olives and extracting the juice in a press or centrifuge. All of the other grades such as ‘’pure’’ and ‘’olive oil’’ are refined using high heat and chemical processing in the same way that other cooking oils are.

Why is it called “extra” virgin olive oil?
Virgin olive oil is oil that has been produced using physical (in other words, mechanical) means without any chemical treatment in the process.
“Extra” virgin olive oil is a classification of the top category of virgin olive oil, and it is an assurance that the olive oil will contain less than 0,8% acidity and will have a superior taste when compared to virgin olive oil.
80% of the olive oil produced in Greece is “extra” virgin olive oil – the largest percentage of extra virgin olive oil production per country in the world – while in most other countries that percentage is less than 10%.

What is Doleon extra virgin olive oil’s acidity?
Depending on the year’s harvest, our extra virgin olive oil has an acidity of 0,1% to 0,5%.
Doleon’s low acidity is one of the many attributes which makes it such a rare and exquisite olive oil, and why it is ranked among the top in its category of extra virgin olive oils.

What is the difference between Doleon and the mass-market brands?
To help put this in perspective, think of how much richer and tastier a freshly squeezed orange juice is, compared to any commercial orange juice you can buy at the store. The same principle applies to extra virgin olive oil.
Mass-market brands labelled as extra virgin olive oil are very often a blend of different quality olive oils. It would not be far-fetched to say that these brands are 60% extra virgin olive oil and 40% low quality canola oil. Or, in a best case scenario, they would be extra virgin olive oils of different quality levels which have been harvested on different years. This does not only affect the taste (it makes it more plain), but it also decreases the health benefits of olive oil significantly.
Our extra virgin olive oil is a fresh, 100% olive juice, which comes straight from our land in Doloi. It is olive oil of a single source and of only one year’s harvest. We do not blend our olive oil.
The same olive oil that we serve at our own home, is the olive oil that you will be serving at your home.

Are there different olive tree varieties?
There are many different olive tree varieties and each brings a unique flavour and quality to the oil. The variety plays a role in the taste of the olive oil and its health benefits. The ”Koroneiki” variety of olive trees are of the most famous and oldest in the world. This variety originates from our part of Greece and has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. This variety of olive oil has a distinct aroma and taste. Though they are considerably more difficult to cultivate due to their small size, the olives do however have a very high yield of exceptional quality olive oil. Furthermore, they are teeming with antioxidants, which provide numerous health benefits.

What are the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil?
Because of its numerous benefits to our wellbeing, consuming extra virgin olive oil has often been likened to a “health bomb”. To name a few of the health benefits that olive oil has:

  • It can reduce heart disease risks,
  • It is a source of A, B1, C, D, K, E vitamins,
  • It aids digestion
  • It is key to a healthy diet
  • It can reduce neurological risks
  • It can lower blood pressure
  • It bolsters a healthy development for infants and children
  • It provides valuable antioxidants
  • It can have a protective effect against tumours and cancer

What are other uses of extra virgin olive oil?
Beginning with the Egyptians and the ancient Greeks, olive oil has been known for its wide variety of health benefits. You may have heard that it is used for massages. Throughout history it has been -and still is- also used as a cleanser, a moisturiser and even as an antibacterial agent. As a natural beauty product, extra virgin olive oil has numerous applications.

What is the best way to keep Doleon fresh?
We package Doleon in either glass bottles or special tin containers, which work best in preserving the quality and freshness of the olive oil. Other types of containers, such as plastic bottles, do not work as well, so we recommend that you keep the oil in its original packaging.
Where the olive oil is stored is also very important. Exposure to direct sunlight, heat or air, can cause oxidation which is why, a key part of our production process, is to immediately store the extracted oil in airtight stainless steel containers. Please keep Doleon out of direct sunlight, in either room temperature or cool temperatures, and away from the oven or radiator heaters.

Should I only use Doleon extra virgin olive oil in salads?
Doleon can add a delightful taste to raw salads, but it can also be used to enrich soups, fried, grilled or boiled food, as well as for dressings and sauces. It is not just and oil. It is a very important ingredient for your food which can make the difference in your dishes.
There is no question about the superior flavour that extra virgin oil ads compared to fats such as butter or different kinds of oil.