Different Types of Evo Oil

Evo oil: the organic

In order to obtain an Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, firstly you will need an organic farming system. This is governed by a European law (EC Reg. no. 834/2007) which establishes precise constraints also for labelling. The inspiring principle is to respect the cycle of nature, safeguarding soil fertility, rotating crops and using organic fertilizers. Biodiversity, for which every living organism must be respected, is the foundation of the principles of Organic farming. The aim is to maintain and increase the diversity of species, both plant and animal. To do this it is essential to adopt some techniques, such as using animal fertilizers that increase the concentrations of microorganisms in the soil; rotate crops; implant and strengthen varieties of native plants and animal breeds; not to use pesticides, but to make natural enemies of parasites; not to use or introduce Gmos (Genetically Modified Organisms). Organic farming also benefits the environment because, as shown, it produces less carbon emissions, even 32% lower than mineral fertilizers. The environmental impact is significantly reduced thanks also to the use of energy derived from recycling waste and by-products. Of course, only the evo oil produced with olives from organic farming can bear the name of organic. Moreover, organic extra virgin olive oil must have a dedicated processing line and be separate from other oils. All this is subject to a control system carried out by an institution recognised by the State.

Evo Oil: the PDO

For the PDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the European Union that gives it the status of Protected Designation of Origins (PDO) and it is given for “the name of a region, a specific place or, in exceptional cases, a country which designates an agricultural or food product originated in that region, specific place or country, whose quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment, including natural and human factors, and whose production and processing take place in the defined geographical area”. (Article 2, paragraph 1, letter a), of the EU Regulation no. 510/2006[1]). Now, it is clear that the qualitative characteristics derive basically from the territory in which they are produced. Even the production cycle must be carried out within the same territory (with its peculiar environmental characteristics and its traditional and exclusive artisanal techniques), in order to make it a UNIQUE product. It is quite clear that on order to have a PDO Evo oil, olives must be harvested and processed in the same territory that has obtained the certification of PDO protected designation of origins.                                                                                                                                                         

In order to obtain these awards, it is necessary to follow a Policy Document and undergo to the control of the Certification Body recognised and appointed by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry. The “Protection Consortium” is the producers’ representative organisation and has a supervisory function for the marketing of products that have been awarded as Protected Designation of Origins (PDO). To date, 42 Italian extra virgin olive oils have obtained this recognition.

Evo Oil: the PGI

This is also a quality mark awarded by the European Community to agricultural and food products. When one of the production phases has a precise reference with a unique geographical area, the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) can be obtained. In order to obtain a PGI mark, the producers are subject to strict rules contained in the production policy document and a specific control institution will monitor compliance with these rules. To date, there are 7 Italian extra virgin olive oils that have obtained this recognition.

The PDO, PGI and Organic designations are the awards that only the best extra virgin olive oils obtain, according to European regulations. They meet very specific characteristics and those recognised as PDO and PGI are the following:

Expert agronomists and chemists, who collaborate with OLIOEVO s.r.l.s., select oils that denote the highest quality criteria, in relation to the harvest year. The choice is made also by referring to taste parameters, selecting the most valuable Cultivars and preferring farms that adopt environmentally friendly and sustainable collection and production systems.