You may have seen it on menus, websites, or social media and wondered what EVOO means. It is one of the most common acronyms in the food world, and the answer is simple.
EVOO stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is the highest grade available to consumers and the one worth having in your kitchen.
What Does OO Mean?
OO stands for Olive Oil. While all EVOO is technically olive oil, not all of it is extra virgin. Extra virgin is the highest grade, held to the strictest standards for quality, flavor, and production method. Regular grade goes through more processing and refining. For a full breakdown, see our guide on what makes a product extra virgin.
What Does EVO Mean?
EVO is the Italian acronym for Extra Virgine di Oliva. You will see it often on menus in Italy, in reference to a salad dressing or a finishing product for a dish. In fact, in Calabria they even make EVO gelato.
Why Does the Grade Matter?
Not all olive oil is created equal. EVOO must meet strict chemical and sensory standards to earn its classification. It must be produced purely through mechanical means, with no chemical refining. Furthermore, it must have a free fatty acid level below 0.8% and pass an organoleptic tasting panel.
Simply put, EVOO is the purest form of the product. It also offers the most health benefits and the best flavor. If you want to understand exactly what goes into that classification, read our full guide: What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EVOO the same as olive oil?
No. EVOO is a specific grade, and the highest one available. Regular grade goes through additional processing and refining. As a result, it has less flavor and fewer health benefits than extra virgin.
Why do people say EVOO instead of olive oil?
The acronym became popular in the early 2000s, largely thanks to chef Rachael Ray who used it frequently on television. Today it appears widely on menus, in recipes, and across social media as shorthand for extra virgin.
What is the difference between EVOO and EVO?
They refer to the same product. EVOO is the English acronym and EVO is the Italian one. Both mean extra virgin. You will see EVO most often in Italy and on Italian menus.
How do I know if an EVOO is actually high quality?
First, look for a harvest date on the bottle and a single country or region of origin. Also, check for a low free fatty acid percentage. A producer willing to share those details is usually one worth trusting. For more guidance, see our post on how to tell if olive oil is fake.
The Bottom Line
In short, EVOO simply means extra virgin olive oil. It is the highest grade, the most flavorful, and the most nutritious form of the product. If a recipe or menu says EVOO, they are referring to the good stuff.
Shop our 100% Calabrian extra virgin olive oil, single origin, harvest-dated, and family farmed since 1927.
We wrote a book called The Olive Oil Enthusiast. Order your copy today.
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