Ultra Premium (UP) is a new grade in the industry that distinguishes the highest quality olive oil in the world from what dominates the so called “gourmet” and “premium” olive oil markets.
The absurdly low standards created and fostered by numerous trade associations and government agencies responsible for policing them has only contributed to the confusion and misinformation around extra virgin olive oil. Lack of enforcement and testing by these trade associations and governmental agencies has led to a marketplace dominated by inferior oils and rife with adulteration. The self serving overemphasis on “Where” extra virgin olive oil is produced continues to dominate perceptions at the expense of the far more significant “When, What, and How” the oil is made. The UP standard has as its principal barometers Chemistry and Freshness. These two underappreciated variables can be objectively measured, quantified, and certified. Since the highest quality extra virgin olive oil comes from high quality fruit coupled with high quality production processes, the UP standard encompasses strict requirements for both the end-product and the production process.
The UP standard is reserved for the finest extra virgin olive oils in the world and as such, the grade of UP exceeds all existing European, Italian, Spanish, Greek, North American or any other standard known as extra virgin olive oil. In order to qualify for Ultra Premium grade, the extra virgin olive oil must meet or exceed a comprehensive set of production, storage, transportation, testing, chemistry, and organoleptic requirements. We’re both excited and proud of this certification.
To find out more, (and see us on the certified list) click here!