# What's the 'extra virgin' in Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 18, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663 "2002-07-18T17:47:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Beastal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Beastal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastal)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663/1 "2002-07-18T17:47:22Z")

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What does ‘extra virgin’ mean?

I work part time at a supermarket, and a customer came up and asked me this today. I had no idea.

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663/2 "2002-07-18T17:53:14Z")

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Extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed and unrefined. Lighter olive oils have been refined to reduce acidity, and are consequently lighter in color and flavor.

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**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663/3 "2002-07-18T17:56:34Z")

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Virgin means the oil’s made from the first cold pressing. Extra virgin means it has an acidity of no more than 1%. It has a sweeter flavor than the other grades and is used more for marinades and dressing than for cooking and sauteeing.

Now ask about balsamic vinegar…  
JuanitaTech, somewhat of a gourmet…

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**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663/4 "2002-07-18T18:02:45Z")

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OK, I’ll bite **JT**. What’s the dope on balsamic vinegar?

Incidentally I do have an interest in this since I always marinate my cooked vegetables in balsamic vinegrette and have recently begun making my own from b. vinegar.  
I guess it’d be nice to know what I’m working with here.

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**Author:** ![Beastal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Beastal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastal)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-extra-virgin-in-extra-virgin-olive-oil/119663/5 "2002-07-18T18:02:54Z")

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Thank you, you two.