Which is best: filtered or unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
- May 16, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Filtered!
Are you surprised to hear this?
Let's explain...
Although “unfiltered” Extra Virgin Olive Oil sounds very special – and makes for a great marketing catch phrase – there is another, very important, side to it.
Don't get us wrong, during production there is nothing better than tasting our freshly extracted Extra Virgin Olive Oil at the mill. Its robust flavors and cloudy green color are the best accompaniment to a slice of warm, freshly made bread!
However, if an Extra Virgin Olive Oil stays unfiltered past this point, its shelf life as an Extra Virgin Olive Oil is greatly reduced. According to our experience (and official studies), even after just a couple months, an unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil starts developing tasting defects, one of those being a “muddy” sediment. And if oil has even a small tasting defect it is no longer considered fit to be in the Extra Virgin category. It is then demoted to the Virgin Olive Oil category. Additionally, if an olive oil is unfiltered its smoke point is greatly reduced compared to if the same oil were filtered.
Another very important fact is that, if olive oil remains unfiltered, then the chances increase for something unwanted to pass into the bottle which the consumer will purchase. We won’t mention what these "something's" might be!
So, by filtering olive oil, a very small fraction of its taste and aromas might be lost at the very beginning (these aren’t noticeable to most, in a blind taste-test), but the quality gains are much more substantial.
It is actually much easier and cheaper for us to leave the oil unfiltered. Unfiltered means that there’s no further work involved, not to mention the fact that production quantities would increase since we wouldn’t be losing quite a bit of olive oil during filtration.
But we are not looking for the easy or inexpensive way. Our utmost concern is to achieve the highest possible quality for the maximum amount of time. Everything we do at PJ KABOS has this sole goal.
By the way, the filters we use are simple, paper filters. There are absolutely no chemicals involved and we always use fresh, new filters for each batch of olive oil.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
The Most Recent Harvest (2025–26)
Please note: Phenolic levels and profiles vary with each harvest.
Extremely High-Phenolic Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Phenols: 995 mg/kg (HPLC), at production
Hydroxytyrosol (& derivatives): 14+ mg/20 g (far above the EU health claim threshold)
USDA Organic
Kosher
Primary Use: Daily Phenolic Shot
Secondary Use: Finishing, Vinaigrettes
Taste Intensity: Robust +
Very High-Phenolic Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Phenols: 699 mg/kg (HPLC), at production
Hydroxytyrosol (& derivatives): 10+ mg/20 g (well above the EU health claim threshold)
USDA Organic
Kosher
Primary Use: Daily Phenolic Shot, Finishing
Secondary Use: Baking, Cooking
Taste Intensity: Robust
High-Phenolic Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Phenols: 400+ mg/kg (HPLC), at production
Hydroxytyrosol (& derivatives): 7+ mg/20 g (more than meets the EU health claim threshold)
USDA Organic
Kosher
Primary Use: Finishing & Cooking
Secondary Use: Daily Phenolic Shot
Taste Intensity: Medium
High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Phenols: 400+ mg/kg (HPLC), at production
Hydroxytyrosol (& derivatives): 5+ mg/20 g (meets the EU health claim threshold)
No Pesticides
Kosher
Primary Use: Finishing & Cooking
Secondary Use: Daily Phenolic Shot
Taste Intensity: Medium
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Phenols 250-300 mg/kg (HPLC), at production
Hydroxytyrosol (& derivatives): 3+ mg/20 g (below the EU health claim threshold; still an excellent EVOO)
No Pesticides
Kosher
Primary Use: Cooking, Baking
Secondary Use: Finishing
Taste Intensity: Delicate
Contents
PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil
Where ancient olive-growing wisdom meets modern science, your guide to choosing, tasting, and enjoying exceptional high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil. We hope it inspires you in your olive-oil journey.
How olive oil quality is defined — and why the difference matters for taste, health, and daily use.
Why extra virgin and high-phenolic olive oils shine in real-life cooking, from sautéing to roasting.
Your simple daily ritual for harnessing the powerful antioxidants in high-phenolic olive oil.
How phenolic compounds support heart, brain, metabolic, joint, and whole-body vitality across the years.
How cholesterol works — and how extra virgin olive oil supports balance and heart health.
A simple guide to the phenolic compounds in olive oil — what phenols and polyphenols are and why they contribute to olive oil’s flavor, stability, and potential health benefits.
VII. What Is a Daily Phenolic Shot of Olive Oil and What Is the EU “Health Claim” Concerning It? | PJ Kabos Guide
How phenolic content varies from oil to oil and from harvest to harvest — and how to choose an olive oil that meets the EU Health Claim.
A clear look at whether extra virgin olive oil contains heavy metals, microbes, or allergens — and how its natural composition, along with laboratory testing, helps us understand what is — and is not — present.
A clear introduction to tasting notes and flavor in extra virgin olive oil — exploring how these natural characteristics arise from the olive, and how bitterness and pungency shape the oil’s character and overall tasting experience.
Subscribe and stay tuned — more chapters coming soon.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites and PJ Kabos Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc.
And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your health and medical conditions.
PJ KABOS is a top, on-line seller of High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is: "For those who want to be good to their bodies."
Comments