Extra virgin olive oil does more than add flavor to your food. Behind every rich, peppery drizzle is a naturally occurring group of compounds called polyphenols. At Botticelli, we believe great olive oil should bring more to the table than taste alone. That's why our extra virgin olive oils are crafted to preserve the natural character and integrity of the olive from harvest to bottle.
WHAT ARE POLYPHENOLS?
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in olives that help protect the oil from oxidation while contributing to flavor, aroma, and overall quality. They're also one of the biggest reasons extra virgin olive oil is often associated with the Mediterranean lifestyle and better-for-you cooking habits.
High-polyphenol olive oils are commonly recognized for their antioxidant properties, vibrant flavor, peppery finish, and rich aroma. In many ways, that slight peppery sensation you feel in the back of your throat is a sign of the olive oil's natural polyphenol content at work.
MORE THAN JUST FLAVOR
The benefits of polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil go far beyond the kitchen. Naturally occurring antioxidants help protect against oxidation on a cellular level, while olive oil's healthy fat profile continues to make it a staple in wellness-focused lifestyles and Mediterranean-inspired eating habits.
Polyphenol-rich EVOO is also commonly associated with supporting cardiovascular wellness, helping reduce inflammation, and preserving freshness naturally. It's one of the reasons more people are becoming intentional about the olive oils they cook with every day.
WHY THE EXTRACTION PROCESS MATTERS
Protecting polyphenols starts during production. From harvest timing to cold extraction methods, every step of the olive oil process plays a role in preserving freshness and maintaining the oil's natural compounds. Excessive prolonged heat, oxidation, or over-processing can reduce both flavor quality and polyphenol content.
That's why premium extra virgin olive oil focuses on careful handling, temperature-controlled extraction, and minimizing unnecessary exposure throughout production. When the olive os treated with care, more of it's natural benefits remain intact.
CHOOSING BETTER OLIVE OIL FOR EVERYDAY COOKING
Today, olive oil has become more than just a pantry staple, it's part of how people cook, eat, and live more intentionally. Whether you're finishing salads, roasting vegetables, dipping fresh bread, or building everyday meals around better ingredients, choosing a high-quality extra virgin olive oil can elevate both flavor and experience.
Our Occasion-Based Olive Oils are crafted with polyphenols in mind:
Finishing Extra Virgin Olive Oil 10/10: Contains the highest amount of polyphenols and antioxidants. Labeled as a Finishing EVOO to protect it's natural qualities from heat to ensure you capture all the benefits.
Cooking Extra Virgin Olive Oil 8/10: A milder EVOO compared to our Finishing EVOO making it perfect for everyday cooking where your intent is cooking with a heart healthy oil. This oil still packs a ton of olive flavor aroma.
Baking Extra Virgin Olive Oil 6/10: The mildest EVOO we craft. This EVOO is crafted with mild olives to ensure the oil seamlessly blends into delicate recipes where olive oil flavor shouldn't shine as much.
Frying Olive Oil 1/10: This olive oil contains little to no polyphenols since it is a blend of EVOO and refined olive oil. Since it only an olive oil, it carries the highest heat point compared to our other occasion based oils making its sole purpose those everyday high heat frying moments.
