What type of olive oil is the mildest?

Olive oil is considered one of the pillars of the Mediterranean diet and a true gastronomic gem. We can find a multitude of different olive oil flavors, aromas, and intensities that adapt to each consumer's preferences, offering a distinct sensory experience. And this leads us to the following question: which type of olive oil is the mildest?

Although the stronger and spicier ones also have their followers, mild olive oil is ideal for those with a more subtle taste profile who prefer a less intense flavor, as well as to accompany delicate dishes.

With multiple options available, at Olivarte we will help you find the perfect mild extra virgin olive oil for you, explaining what makes it different from the rest, what it is recommended for, and, above all, giving you the keys to recognize it. Let's get started!

First of all, what does mild oil mean?

The meaning of mild olive oil refers to a product that has a more neutral or balanced sensory profile, ideal for those who want to enjoy the oil without it dominating the flavor of the dish.

When we talk about mild olive oil, it is important to be clear that we are referring to the flavor of the oil, not its quality. Generally, these are oils with lower organoleptic intensity: they have a more delicate taste, less bitterness and pungency, and a lighter texture in the mouth.

Mild-flavored olive oil is the most valued for making mayonnaise, in baking, or in light sautés, or simply for those who are not used to intense flavors.

Which variety of olive oil is milder?

The mildness of an olive oil is directly related to the variety of olive used in its production, which directly influences the final flavor of the oil.

If you wonder which variety of olive oil is milder, one of the mildest is the Arbequina. The mild extra virgin olive oil made from Arbequina olives stands out for its light fruity profile, with hints of almond, banana, and apple.

One of the main characteristics of Arbequina oil is that it has almost no pungency or bitterness, making it ideal as a mild-flavored olive oil for those seeking mildness without losing quality.

In contrast, the characteristics of Picual oil place this variety at the opposite extreme, with a much stronger and more bitter flavor, appreciated for its great resistance to oxidation.

Extra virgin olive oil or refined?

When looking for a mild oil, although it is the highest quality, it is not always extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes, we find oils labeled simply as "olive oil" or olive oil 0.4, which refer to refined oils with a low acidity level, made by blending refined oils with a small proportion of extra virgin or virgin oil.

The result is a mild-flavored olive oil in taste, though with a less complex nutritional and organoleptic profile. It is often known by its low acidity, usually 0.4 degrees, which can cause confusion since mildness does not depend solely on acidity.

On the other hand, a good mild extra virgin olive oil can offer a delicate flavor without sacrificing quality, maintaining all the richness of nutrients, antioxidants, and polyphenols typical of EVOOs.

If you have doubts about the different types of oil, we recommend reading our article on what EVOO is, where we explain in detail what defines a genuine extra virgin olive oil.

What factors make an oil mild?

When talking about the characteristics of mild olive oil, it is important to consider several factors that go far beyond the olive variety:

Harvest time: the riper the olive at harvest, the milder the final oil usually is.

Extraction method: a cold and controlled extraction process better preserves the delicate compounds of the fruit, helping to achieve a milder and more balanced flavor.

Filtering: unfiltered oils tend to have a more fruity and intense flavor, while filtered oils offer a cleaner and milder profile. If you want to know more, here we explain what unfiltered olive oil is.

Which is the mildest extra virgin olive oil?

A question many of our customers ask is: which is the mildest extra virgin olive oil? As we have just seen, the quickest answer is Arbequina, although there are also monovarietal EVOOs from Arbosana or Koroneiki that have mild notes, ideal if you seek flavor without aggressiveness.

Still, it must be said that mildness also depends on each person's palate. Therefore, the ideal is to try different oils and discover which suits your personal tastes best.

And what about olive pomace oil?

In certain cases, when looking for a neutral-flavored oil, some people prefer olive pomace oil, especially for frying due to its more economical price and high heat resistance. This oil is obtained from the solid residues of the olive, which undergo refining processes.

If you have never heard of it, on the Olivarte blog we tell you what olive pomace oil is, and we tell you that although it has a mild flavor and a high smoke point, its nutritional quality is inferior to that of EVOO.

The conclusion is that choosing a mild olive oil depends as much on its variety as on its production process. If you seek the perfect balance between mildness and quality, the mild extra virgin olive oil Arbequina will be a safe bet you won't fail with.