How to choose olive oil? Varieties, differences, and tips
Don't know which olive oil to choose?
This guide will help you understand the differences and choose according to your taste in just a few minutes.
From mild and fruity to intense and characteristic – the choice depends on how you like to use the oil.
In this guide, you will learn about the different types of olive oil and how to choose the most suitable olive oil according to taste and use.
✨ How to choose in 10 seconds?
- 🥗 For daily use → Arbequina
- 🍳 For light frying / oven → Arbequina or Coupage
- 🔥 For frying at higher temperatures / meat → Picual
- 🍞 To finish dishes (when you want more flavor) → Hojiblanca
Important:
Although varieties share common characteristics, each oil can vary in intensity depending on the harvest and producer.
Main olive varieties in our collection
Arbequina – mild and fruity
This is one of the mildest types of olive oil.
The taste is light, fruity, with almost no bitterness.
Perfect for:
- salads
- breakfast
- light dishes
Due to its mild taste, it is also often used in cooking –
suitable for light frying or stewing at lower temperatures, when a strong olive taste is not desired.
If you don't like bitterness – this is the safest choice.
Picual – intense and characteristic
Picual oil has a distinct taste, with noticeable bitterness and pepperiness.
Due to its higher stability, it is one of the best choices for frying at higher temperatures.
Perfect for:
- meat
- roasted vegetables
- stronger dishes
If you like a bright, intense taste – this is your choice.
Hojiblanca – balance with character
Hojiblanca has a complex taste – combining freshness, light bitterness, and subtle pepperiness.
The taste reveals green fruits, herbs, tomato leaves, and a light pepperiness.
Perfect for:
- fish
- salads
- finishing dishes
It is an elegant choice for those who want more than mildness, but not too much intensity.
What is "coupage"?
"Coupage" is a blend of different olive varieties, created to achieve a balanced and harmonious taste.
Such oils:
- are not too strong
- are not too mild
- are versatile
This is a safe and versatile choice if you're not sure where to start.
Where do our oils come from?
The olive oils in our collection are selected from different regions of Spain, each with its own character:
- Sierras Subbéticas (Cordoba) – a mountainous, protected natural region where complex and aromatic oils are born
- Jaén (Andalusia) – the global center of olive oil, famous for intense flavors
- Castilla-La Mancha – a region where some farms even work on volcanic soil, giving the oil a unique character (Palacio de los Olivos).
Don't know which one to choose?
If you are looking for a versatile option – start with coupage.
If you want a more intense taste – choose Picual or Hojiblanca.
If milder – Arbequina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which olive oil is best for cooking?
Picual olive oil is more stable and better suited for cooking at higher temperatures.
Which olive oil is the mildest?
Arbequina is one of the mildest - with a light, fruity taste, perfect for daily use: salads, light frying, sandwiches, breakfast.
What is extra virgin olive oil?
It is the highest quality olive oil, extracted by cold pressing, without chemical processes.
All our Skonio Rivjera olive oils are:
- extra virgin
- low acidity
- rich in antioxidants
- early harvest
- highest quality