Guide 15 | How to Read an Olive Oil Label: The Front Label
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PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil
This article is Part 15 of the PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil — where ancient olive-growing wisdom meets modern science, your guide to choosing, tasting and enjoying exceptional extra virgin olive oil — especially high-phenolic varieties, in which we specialize. We hope it inspires you in your olive-oil journey.
In this article, we take a closer look at what the information on the front label of a bottle or tin of olive oil can tell you — and which details matter most.
At first glance, labels can seem crowded with information. Dates, certifications, varieties, origins, nutrition panels and unfamiliar terms all compete for attention. The good news is that reading an olive oil label is often a lot easier than it first appears.
So, what can you learn before you ever turn the bottle over?
Quite a lot actually.
How to Read an Olive Oil Label: The All-Important Front Label
In this article, we are going to use one of our own bottles to teach you what to look for on any bottle of extra virgin olive oil. Beginning at the top, and working our way down, we'll explain what each statement means, which ones are regulated or certified, and which are simply the producer's way of describing the oil.
Think of the front label as your first window into what is inside the bottle. It is designed to communicate some of the most important information about the olive oil at a glance.
While every producer presents information differently, several details often appear on the front of the bottle and can tell you a great deal about the oil inside.
Let's start at the top of the bottle and work our way down.
1) Collection Label (Product Line) — "Family Reserve Organic"
The words Family Reserve Organic immediately tells us that this bottle belongs to a particular collection of oils produced by PJ Kabos.
Many olive oil producers organize their oils into collections or product lines. These names help distinguish one oil from another based on characteristic such as production methods, flavor profile, intended us, phenolic content or other defining qualities.
In this case Family Reserve Organic identifies this bottle as part of PJ Kabos' premium collection of extra virgin olive oils while Organic tells us that every olive oil in this particular collection is certified organic.
As you continue reading the front label or visit the website of the company, you'll also discover another characteristic shared by this particular collection: These oils are all high-phenolic, meaning they are high in polyphenols.
Takeaway
A collection name — or Product Line — helps identify where an olive oil fits within a producer's range. While collection names themselves are chosen by the producer, the descriptive terms they include — such as organic — may represent regulated or certified claims that can be verified elsewhere on the label.
2) Logo — Image "Ancient Greek Amphora"
Our logo is a picture (an ancient Greek amphora with olive branches emerging from it hand-drawn by artist, Sara Bianca Bentley), but a logo can also consist of a name, initials, a symbol or a combination of these.
A logo is the visual symbol of a company or brand. It helps consumers recognize a product quickly and distinguish it from others on the shelf. Over time, a familiar logo can become associated with a company's reputation, values and quality.
On this bottle, the PJ Kabos logo represents our family brand and appears consistently across our products regardless of collections or products.
Takeaway
A logo identifies who made the product. It does not, by itself, tell you anything about the quality or characteristics of the olive oil except in terms of it being a familiar and a trusted brand. But to know about the characteristics of a specific bottle of oil you must keep reading the information on the label.
3) Brand Name — "PJ Kabos"
The brand name is something we of today are all familiar with: it is the name by which consumers recognize a producer of a product and distinguish one brand from another. In this example, it simply identifies the company or product line behind the olive oil.
On the bottle the brand name is PJ Kabos.
A FUN TIDBIT ABOUT OUR BRAND NAME
PJ = the initials of founder, James Panagiotopoulos
Kabos = derived from the Greek word ΚΑΜΠΟΣ, meaning fields or plains... where olive trees grow!
A brand name should not be confused with the country of origin. While some brand names may sound Greek, Italian or Spanish, the name itself does not tell you where the olive oil was produced. That information should appear elsewhere on the label as the country of origin.
Takeaway
The brand name tells you who produced or markets the olive oil. It is one piece of the story, but it should always be considered alongside the other information on the label, such as the country of origin, quality grade and certifications.
4) Organic Certification (or Claim) — "Organic"
Now, for many people, we come to one of the most important pieces of information on the front label.
The word Organic is more than a marketing description. It is a regulated term that tells us the producer is claiming the olive oil has been produced in accordance with established organic standards.
A reputable producer, however, will never expect consumers to rely on that front-of-the-bottle claim alone. The certification supporting it should also appear elsewhere on the bottle.
As we we will see in our companion article, Guide 16 | How to Read an Olive Oil label: The Back Label, this bottle provides the certification information that the word Organic on the front label proclaims.
Takeaway
When you see the word Organic on the front of a bottle, look for the certification that supports that claim. A trustworthy producer should make that information easy to find.
5) Phenolic Designation — "High Phenolic"
The words High Phenolic tell us that the producer is drawing attention to the olive oil's naturally occurring phenolic compounds.
These compounds contribute to the oil's bitterness, pungency, stability and have become and important area of research because of their antioxidant properties and consequently health benefits.
But there is an important question every consumer should ask:
How high?
The European Union has established an authorized health claim for olive oil polyphenols. Briefly, in order to qualify for that claim an olive oil must provide at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives per 20 g of olive oil. (See Guide 7 | What Is a Daily Phenolic Shot of Olive Oil and What Is the EU “Health Claim” Concerning It?)
It's good to remember because since phenolic levels naturally decline as olive oil ages (however those oils with very high levels — such as the example bottle Phenolic Shot — have a longer shelf life if properly stored), producers rarely put the laboratory analysis for the current harvest printed permanently on the bottle itself. Rather, they provide laboratory analysis either on their website or when requested. This is not just an acceptable practice but the norm.
ON THIS BOTTLE
Rather than printing a laboratory value that naturally changes as the olive oil matures, PJ Kabos follows the norm and provides current harvest laboratory results through its website and on the product page.
Because different laboratory methods are available for measuring olive-oil phenolics, always take care to observe which method of testing is used on the reported results; HPLC or NMR? It most often is not stated on the bottle but will most definitely be transparent on the Product Page or on a company's website (See FAQ below).
Takeaway
When you see the words High Phenolic, don't stop there. Look for supporting information showing the phenolic content of the oil and whether it qualifies for the EU Health Claim.
6) Country of Origin — "Greek"
The word Greek tells us something very important: where the olive oil itself came from.
That is different from a brand name or packaging that may suggest a particular country. A Greek, Italian or Spanish-sounding name, or references to places such as Athens, Tuscany, Puglia, or Andalusia, can create a geographic impression without necessarily telling you where the olive oil originated.
ON THIS BOTTLE
There is no need to search for it.
The information is clearly displayed on the front: Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
It is from the country of Greece.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for olive oil to be bottled or packaged in a different country from where the olives were grown and the oil was produced. For that reason, statements such as "Packed in Italy" or "Bottled in Spain" should not be confused with the country-of-origin of the olive oil itself.
Always look for the actual country-of-origin statement on the label. Both the European Union and the United States require imported olive oil to declare its origin. In the European Union, oils from more than one country may instead be identifies as blends of oils from the EU, outside the EU or both.
Takeaway
Look for the country-of-origin statement, not simply the impression created by the packaging.
7) Quality Grade — "Extra Virgin Olive Oil"
This is perhaps the most important term of all to be found on the front label of a bottle or tin of olive oil.
To earn the right to be labeled extra virgin olive oil mean a great deal.
It is the highest quality grade of olive oil. Coming with the name is the assurance that the oil in the container is produced solely from olives using mechanical methods, without refining or the use of chemical solvents.
To qualify as extra virgin, the oil most also meet established chemical and sensory standards.
Extra Virgin is a legally defined quality grade — not simply a marketing description.
Takeaway
When you see the words Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you are looking at a legally defined quality grade oil with specific production and quality requirements.
8) Product Name —"Phenolic Shot"
Every olive oil need a product name. It helps distinguish one olive oil from another within the same brand.
On this bottle, the product name is Phenolic Shot. On PJ Kabos, the product names are also reinforced by the bottle color. Within the PJ Kabos range of Family Reserve Organic, the gold bottle identifies it as the Phenolic Shot, making it easy for customers to quickly recognize a bottle they have enjoyed before or might have heard about and would like to try.
Unlike the quality grade, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the product name is chosen by the producer. It is intended to help consumers identify a specific olive oil rather than describe a legally defined quality standard.
Takeaway
A product name is the producer's way of identifying a particular olive oil within the brand. Unlike terms such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Organic, it is not a regulated designation but a convenient way for consumers to recognize a specific product.
9) Olive Variety —"Olympia Variety"
Many olive oil labels identify the olive variety used to produce the oil. Different varieties contribute their own distinctive aromas, flavors and characteristics making each olive oil unique.
On this bottle, the olive variety is identified as Olympia Variety. Like the Product Name it provides another clue about the character of the olive oil inside.
As you explore different olive oils, you'll encounter many other varieties, each with its own unique qualities and growing traditions.
Takeaway
The olive variety is another helpful piece of information when choosing an olive oil. As you become familiar with different varieties, you'll begin to recognize the flavor and characteristics you enjoy the most.
10) Production Method —"Cold Extraction"
The words Cold Extraction are another indication the that producer is using the modern terminology for today's production methods. This designation describes how the olive oil was separated from the olive paste after the olives were crushed.
Many people are familiar with the traditional expression "cold pressed." While that was once the standard method of producing olive oil, today's finest extra virgin olive oils are almost always cold extracted using modern centrifugal equipment rather than presses.
This modern method allows the oil to be separated efficiently while maintaining the low processing temperatures required to preserve its quality, flavor and naturally occurring beneficial compounds.
Takeaway
Cold Extraction is the modern method of producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Although many people still use the term "cold pressed," most premium olive oils today are actually cold extracted.
11) Volume — How Much Oil Is in the Container
The final piece of information on the front label tells you simply how much olive is in the bottle or tin.
On this bottle, the volume is shown as 16.9 fl oz (500 mL), giving the capacity in both U.S. and metric units. Depending on where an olive oil is sold, the units displayed may vary, but the purpose is always the same — to tell consumers exactly how much olive oil the container holds.
Takeaway
The volume statement simply tells you how much olive oil is in the container, making it easy to compare different bottle and tin sizes.
Conclusion
By now you've seen that a front label is much more than attractive packaging. It tells a story about the olive oil inside — from its quality grade and country of origin to its certifications and unique identity.
Unlike many packaged foods, extra virgin olive oil is a fresh agricultural product. Each harvest is unique with its own character, flavor and naturally occurring phenolic compounds. Although producers strive for consistency, no two harvest are ever completely identical.
The front label introduces many of the most important things you may want o know about an olive oil, but it doesn't tell the whole story. In many cases, the supporting information is found elsewhere on the bottle.
In our next guide, Guide 16 — How to Read an Olive Oil Label: The Back Label, we'll turn the bottle over and explore certifications, traceability and other important details that complete the story of what is inside a bottle of extra virgin olive oil.
Takeaway
Learning to read the front label is the first step toward understanding what makes one olive oil different from another — and choosing the one that is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO LOOK FOR ON THE FRONT LABEL OF AN OLIVE OIL BOTTLE?
The first thing to look for are the words Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
IS "EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL" A MARKETING TERM?
No. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a legally defined quality grade that has met established production, chemical and sensory standards.
IS "ORGANIC" ALWAYS CERTIFIED?
It should be. Organic is a regulated designation, and reputable producers provide certification information elsewhere on the packaging. In Guide 16 — How to Read an Olive Oil Label: The Back Label, we'll look at where to find it.
WHY DOESN'T THE FRONT LABEL TELL ME EVERYTHING?
The front label provides an introduction to the olive oil. The back label often contains the supporting information behind many of the claims made on the front, along with additional details about the product.
WHY DO DIFFERENT LAB TESTS SHOW DIFFERENT POLYPHENOL LEVELS?
Polyphenols in olive oil can be measured using different laboratory methods, most commonly HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance).
Both methods are scientifically valid, but they measure and report phenolic compounds in different ways.
For this reason, responsible producers should clearly state which testing method was used when measuring and reporting polyphenol levels. Because the two methods measure phenolic compounds differently, NMR testing typically reports higher values than HPLC, and results from the two methods should not be compared directly — it is somewhat like comparing apples to oranges.
Visit our Guide Library to browse all PJ Kabos Guide articles, with titles and brief descriptions to help you find the topics that interest you.
While you're here on The Fat Olive Blog, if you enjoy cooking, please check out our many
PJ Kabos Recipes (e.g., Greek Fava), or explore our Mediterranean Traditions articles (e.g., Ladera Dishes) or step into special moments of our company with PJ Kabos Journal (e.g., Nobu Matsuhisa & PJ Kabos).
You can also have a look around our websites and shop our high-phenolic extra virgin olive oils directly at PJ Kabos.com or OliveOil.com or through PJ Kabos Amazon Store. Follow along with us on Instagram for photos from our groves in Greece, olive oil production, articles, 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.
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