Among the various types of olive oils available on the market, we also find olive pomace oil. In this article, we want to discuss what it is, how it is extracted, and its potential uses. Furthermore, we will define the difference between olive pomace oil and extra virgin olive oil and understand the substantial price differences. Let us start by explaining what olive pomace oil is.
INDEX:
We speak of pomace to define the waste part resulting from the processing of olives for the creation of extra virgin olive oil, which is composed of skin and olive pulp residues with stone fragments.
READ ALSO: How Olive Oil Is Made: The 7 Production Stages
From the pomace, it is still possible to extract a quantity of oil between 3% and 6%, known as olive pomace oil. This oil, at least at this stage, is crude olive pomace oil. This means it is not yet edible and must undergo a refining process, which we will see below.
The refined olive pomace oil will have an acidity level not exceeding 0.5%. It will then have characteristics similar to olive oil, although it will be richer in linoleic acid (between 9.5% and 15.5%) and elaidic acid (0.2%). With these characteristics, refined olive pomace oil can be used in blends with other olive oils, but it remains a lower-quality product compared to the latter.
Let us now understand the oil extraction process that turns crude pomace oil into refined oil.
Pomace is a puree composed of residues of skin, pulp, and stone fragments of the olives that are pressed to obtain olive oil. The residual amount of oil contained in the pomace can only be extracted through a chemical process. The simple pressing process is not sufficient.
To recover this portion of oil, the pomace must be mixed with hexane, a selective solvent that solubilizes with the oil. Through subsequent filtration and distillation, the two elements are separated again, so that hexane is obtained on one side and refined pomace on the other. The hexane used can be reused for another extraction phase, while the refined olive pomace oil is ready for use.
We wish to specify that this extraction procedure is fully approved by the European Community and that it can be used as a by-product of olive oil, edible and suitable for cooking.
Read also: Specific weight of olive oil, what it is and how to calculate it
Precisely because of the extraction process with hexane mentioned above, there have been many doubts regarding the use of olive pomace oil in the food sector. Today we can say that there is no danger in using it for cooking and, as stated above, the European Community has certified its use for food products.
Now that we have addressed these doubts and seen how olive pomace oil is obtained, we want to define in detail the difference between olive pomace oil and olive oil, evaluating their various properties. Subsequently, we will discuss their uses.
We have seen above how crude olive pomace oil is obtained and how refining takes place. The composition of these two oils is very similar, although olive pomace oil is richer in linoleic acid (between 9.5% and 15.5%) and elaidic acid is present (at 0.2%). In practice, olive pomace oil has an acidity (better defined as the percentage of free fatty acids) that differs from other oils:
We would like to note here that olive pomace oil is divided into:
Let us therefore explore the uses and applications of olive pomace oil in the two types mentioned above.
As mentioned above, refined olive pomace oil is edible. It is commonly used for the production of baked goods. Its delicate flavor characterizes delicious focaccias, taralli, biscuits, or bread. Furthermore, thanks to its high smoke point which allows it to withstand high temperatures, it can be used to obtain light and golden fried foods.
If we speak instead of crude olive pomace oil, this can be used as a green fuel because, thanks to the processing of the stone, it can be used as biomass. It thus translates into an ecological and economical fuel, used in pellet stoves and multi-fuel boilers.
Crude olive pomace oil can also be used as fertilizer because it is rich in nutrients, salts, and phenolic substances. It improves the biological quality of the soil and tends to increase its organic matter.
Olive pomace oil is also used in the cosmetic field.
Olive pomace oil is commonly found on the market. Its price can vary from year to year, as can that of olive oil. What is certain is that its cost is significantly lower than the latter precisely because, as we have seen, it is a by-product.
If you see significantly different prices on the supermarket shelf and want to understand why, check the oil’s composition on the label and verify the presence or absence of olive pomace oil.
With this article, we hope to have cleared up any doubts about what olive pomace oil is, which should not be confused with the more prestigious olive oil.
Technician and expert in extra virgin olive oils, registered in the National Register, Campania section. Master oil miller with diploma, obtained from International Extravirgin Agency.
Pre-orders are open.
Receive the first batches as soon as they are available.
