Why olive oil? / A practical guide
What does olive oil acidity mean?
Free acidity is a laboratory measure of free fatty acids in olive oil. It is not the sharp or sour taste you experience in your mouth.
Lower free acidity can reflect healthy fruit and careful handling, but it does not describe flavour on its own.
Extra virgin grade standards set a maximum free acidity, alongside other chemical and sensory requirements. A number without the full context cannot tell the whole quality story.
Evidence notes
Health and grading explanations are grounded in guidance from the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association and standards from the International Olive Council. This is general food education, not medical advice.