FAQs

Here we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you have any questions that aren't answered here, please write to us via chat, and we'll be happy to assist you!

Frequently Asked Questions about Online Shopping at Mi Oliva Gourmet

Where is Mi Oliva Gourmet from?

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Mi Oliva Gourmet belongs to Olivar de San Miguel, located in Puente Genil, Córdoba, considered one of the best in the world. In 1935, it received the award for the best oil in the world (OPTIMUN OLEI EMPORIUM). Our oils are bottled daily, and they are not mixed, so that the customer receives them in optimal conditions.

Click here to see what makes us different.

What is the Mi Oliva Gourmet Club?

The Mi Oliva Gourmet Club is a family of lovers of authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the one from a farmer with a name and surname.

Subscribing to the Club benefits you with all the promotions and keeps you up to date with everything happening at Mi Oliva Gourmet. You just need to provide your email, and you can unsubscribe at any time if you don't want to receive emails anymore.

Click here to join the Club!

Why create an account at Mi Oliva Gourmet?

The Mi Oliva Gourmet account allows you to register your details on the website to make your purchases and inquiries more convenient and efficient. You just need to register as a customer, and when you place an order, you will only need to choose the product, and all your details will appear automatically, even if you want to save your card details for future purchases. You can also view all orders placed from your account. If you don't have an account yet,

Click here to create your account

What is the minimum order?

There is no minimum order. You can buy olive oil in any of the formats available on the website, regardless of the price. To see the format and price of each one, select the product, a window with the complete product description will open, and right below, there is a dropdown with all the available format options along with their prices.

Are there special prices for stores or distributors?

Our sales are direct from the farmer to the end customer. However, in some cases, we make exceptions, provided that the values and philosophy of a small business or specialized store align with ours. In that case, although we don't have specific rates, we can apply a volume discount. Simply write to us or call us, and we will consider it.

How can I get a coupon?

We don't usually offer discounts because, unfortunately, in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil sector, we work with very narrow margins. However, to get discount coupons, you must be a member of the Mi Oliva Gourmet Club.

How can I pay for my order?

With a credit or debit card

You should select this option and provide the requested card details. You don't need to worry because it is a secure payment platform, and your card details will not be saved.

If, after entering your card details, the payment is not processed, please check that the billing address matches the one associated with your card. If it's not the same as the shipping address, don't worry, as the order will be sent to the shipping address and not the billing address.

Bank transfer

You will receive our bank account number by email once you complete the purchase so that you can transfer the order amount. Don't forget to include your name and order number in the transfer so that we know who it belongs to. Once we have received the transfer, we will ship your order.

PayPal

Once you select this option, it will automatically redirect you to the PayPal platform to enter your password and make the payment. If there is an error on the PayPal platform and the payment is not processed, the system will automatically cancel the order. Once the payment is confirmed on the platform, the order will appear correctly for us to ship.

Cash on delivery

Only for shipments to the Peninsula. You must make the payment for the exact amount, in cash, upon delivery of your order. Card payments are not accepted.

Don't forget to check the payment method box you choose; if you don't, the payment will not be processed, and therefore, the order will not be placed.

What should I do if my order fails?

It's possible that the order may not be successful when completing the purchase.

If payment is made with a credit or debit card, it may fail because the payment gateway detects some data that doesn't match the card. In this case, to make a card payment, specify the billing address that matches the card, and in the shipping address, specify where you want to receive the order if it's different from the billing address. A charge may appear on your card, but if the order is not processed correctly, it means we haven't received the payment, so the charge on your card will disappear in a few hours or the next day.

If you make a payment through PayPal, and the payment is not successful, the system will automatically cancel the order. Once the payment is successfully confirmed on the PayPal platform, the order will appear as valid for us to ship.

How do I know if my order has been placed successfully?

You should receive a confirmation email with all the details of the order. If you don't receive the confirmation, the order has not been placed.

Where do you ship to, and what are the shipping costs?

All orders are delivered to your doorstep, throughout the Peninsula, Balearic Islands, and most of Europe.

National Shipments. Shipments to the Peninsula and Balearic Islands are free. (Shipments to the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla are not available).

Shipments to Europe. We ship to most of Europe, and we have shipping costs depending on the package weight and the shipping zone.

How can I track the delivery status of my order?

Once your order has left the transport agency, you will receive an email or SMS from the agency with the tracking number, where you can track the status of your shipment at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions about Olive Oil

What is the difference between filtered and unfiltered olive oil?

The difference is that unfiltered olive oil undergoes a decantation process for a few hours compared to the days-long process of filtered olive oil. Unfiltered olive oil is more suitable for raw consumption as its flavor has additional nuances due to particles from leaves and pits. Studies have shown that unfiltered olive oil has some additional beneficial properties over filtered olive oil. Unfiltered olive oil can also be used for cooking, but it is not suitable for frying as these suspended particles will quickly burn, and the oil will darken. If you want to know all the differences between Unfiltered and Filtered Olive Oil, click here.

What are the polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil?

As established by the European Regulation on authorized health claims for food, the main benefits of polyphenols in olive oil are their contribution to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative damage.

Polyphenols are one of nature's most powerful antioxidants with a much greater effect than any laboratory-made antioxidant.

If you want to know more about the Benefits of Polyphenols in Olive Oil, click here.

If you want to know more about the benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, click here.

How long can a bottle of olive oil stay open?

Regarding the preferred consumption of olive oil, it depends on whether it is filtered or unfiltered.

In the case of filtered olive oil, it usually lasts for two years from the date of packaging for consumption.

In the case of unfiltered olive oil, this time is reduced to one year since, without filtering, suspended particles settle over time, forming "sediments" at the bottom of the bottle, which could ferment with the action of light and oxygen.

These are "preferred consumption" periods, meaning that beyond this time, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is likely to remain in perfect condition, and from that moment on, it could begin to degrade. That's why it doesn't have an expiration date.

Once the bottle is opened, it is recommended to consume it within 2 or 3 weeks, or, in the case of a large format (5 liters), it is advisable to transfer some to a smaller opaque container (typical stainless steel oil dispensers). Meanwhile, the open jar should be kept in a cool place away from light.

Which variety do you consider best for consuming raw?

Any variety of high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) can be enjoyed raw (on toast, salads, or directly to enhance the flavor of other products, etc.).

Spain is rich in olive varieties, with more than 50 varieties available, so it depends on your taste which one you prefer.

The Picual variety tends to have a stronger, robust, and spicy flavor.

The Hojiblanca and Picuda varieties usually strike a nearly perfect balance between spiciness and bitterness.

The Arbequina variety is the mildest in terms of spiciness but still rich in flavors and nuances.

Which olive oil has the most intense flavor?

Defining the concept of "intensity" is complicated because... intense in what? In nuances, aromas, spiciness, bitterness?

All high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs), like those you can find at Mi Oliva Gourmet, are intense in all their organoleptic qualities.

Therefore, the adjective "intense" should not be confused with some of these qualities, such as spiciness or bitterness.

If you are looking for an EVOO with a strong, spicy, and bitter flavor, then Estirpe PICUAL would be the best choice.

What oil do you recommend for frying? How many uses can the oil have?

The first thing to know is that the better the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), the better it is for frying since it will lose fewer beneficial properties at higher temperatures. This goes against the false belief that good EVOO is not suitable for frying when, in fact, it's the opposite. Poor-quality oils lose their qualities quickly.

Therefore, in high-end restaurants, they use excellent EVOOs for frying, and other quality restaurants use oils with a high oleic acid content.

From our EVOOs, you can use any of them for frying in a pan since the temperatures are usually not as high as in deep fryers.

For deep frying in a deep fryer, we recommend one of our filtered EVOOs: Estirpe Traditional Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

What is the best time of year to buy olive oil?

At Mi Oliva Gourmet, you will always find freshly packaged Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) directly from Bodegas Almazara. We do not accumulate stock like large retailers and operators.

This way, you can enjoy the best EVOO throughout the year.

Although it is true that freshly made EVOO has an extra layer of flavors and nuances, depending on the variety, these newly made oils are gradually released.

The first to be released, between October and November, is the Early Harvest Olive Oil, a true "green gold" due to its low yield and high quality.

Then the Arbequina and Picual varieties usually come out between November and early December.

And finally, the Hojiblanca variety is released in mid-December.

This is how the EVOOs from Mi Oliva Gourmet, harvested at their optimal ripeness, are released.

Lower-quality EVOOs usually come out later, seeking a higher olive yield at the expense of their organoleptic properties.

What makes our oils different from others?

Firstly, they are authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) cultivated and cared for with love for the land and the product. They are Olive Oils from the Farmer, with names and surnames, not mixed with oils from any other source.

Secondly, they are freshly packaged EVOOs, while being stored in optimal conditions in the Almazara Winery.

Thirdly, they are all of extraordinary quality, with an acidity level below 0.2 (compared to the 0.8 required by regulations) and low yields, resulting in a high polyphenol content.

All of this without forgetting the most important aspect of all, their organoleptic qualities, meaning they are rich in nuances, scents, flavors, and incredible sensations that will make you enjoy like our grandparents did, with an authentic and delicious product.

Why is the taste of Andalusian olive oil stronger than in other parts of the peninsula?

Olive groves predominate in the Andalusian lands.

Close to a million and a half hectares hold the roots of this tree that characterizes the region and has made it the olive-growing land par excellence for thousands of years.

These olive groves, with many centuries of life, are true witnesses of our history and Andalusian gastronomy.

Andalusia is the world's largest olive oil-producing region and the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet, with Extra Virgin Olive Oil as the cornerstone upon which this diet, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was built.

Where to buy Olive Oil at a good price?

You have probably tried to buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil at a hypermarket, supermarket, etc., that is both of good quality and a good price.
Furthermore, it can be challenging to determine whether an olive oil is of high quality or not.

If you want to read more about it, we provide the keys in: Where to Buy Olive Oil at a Good Price.

How is Extra Virgin Olive Oil classified?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is officially classified as "Virgin Extra" based on two main parameters:

1. It is obtained solely through mechanical processes.

2. The olives used are of higher quality, which is determined by the acidity level. To be Virgin Extra, the maximum acidity value is 0.8.

3. It must possess minimum organoleptic qualities.

If you want to know more about what differentiates Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the others, click here.

Early Harvest Olive Oil or "Oro Verde"

Early harvest olive oil is unique for its color, flavor, and, above all, its qualities.

Firstly, it is Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), typically unfiltered, meaning a brief settling process is done, preserving suspended particles from the olive pulp and leaves, enriching its flavor.

Its flavor is robust and spicy, characteristic of olives in an early stage of ripeness.

It is also known as "green gold" because it has a greener hue compared to EVOO harvested later, which tends to have a more yellow or golden color.

If you want to know more about our Early Harvest Olive Oil, click here.

Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Gourmet Olive Oil has many characteristics that make it superior to the rest, but this time, we'll talk about the 3 differences between Gourmet Olive Oil and other Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

1. The timing of the harvest, at an optimal point of ripeness that prioritizes quality over yield.

2. The selection of olives, even within the same olive grove, picking the ones with the best flavor and properties.

3. The milling, packaging, and storage process, which is even more critical than everything else when the EVOO is not bought freshly made.

If you want more information about the differences of Gourmet Olive Oil, click here.