Early Harvest vs. Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil: What’s the Difference?
We often get asked: “What’s the difference between regular Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Early Harvest Olive Oil?” Let’s break it down.
Olive Oil vs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Before explaining the difference between different categories of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, its worth understanding the difference between plain Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive Oil (sometimes called Virgin Olive Oil) is made using the same processes as Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) but is of a lower grade. It has a free acidity of up to 2 grams per 100 grams, often resulting in milder flavour and little to no health benefits.
Here at Wattle Hill Olives, we focus exclusively on Extra Virgin Olive Oil—we do not produce standard Virgin Olive Oil.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is the highest grade of olive oil. It is made from freshly pressed olives, cold-processed without added heat, and must have less than 0.8 grams of free fatty acids per 100 grams. This delicate and careful process preserves natural antioxidants, polyphenols, and vitamin E, giving EVOO both its robust flavour and health benefits.
So what makes Early Harvest Extra Virgin different?
Early Harvest EVOO is our special, limited-release labor of love.
While all our oils are cold-pressed, Early Harvest EVOO is made from unripe, green olives picked at the very start of the season. These olives are low-yielding, which means it takes as much as three times as many olives to produce the same bottle of oil compared to regular EVOO.
The result? A highly concentrated, intensely herbaceous oil that’s full of vibrant, fresh flavours—think peppery, grassy, and green notes that capture the essence of our grove.
Intensity & Health Benefits
Early Harvest EVOO is not just about flavour. Because it’s made from green, nutrient-rich olives, it contains higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidants than standard EVOO, making it one of the healthiest olive oils you can enjoy (normally over 300mg+).
These oils are highly sought after and rarely seen in supermarkets, due to the effort, timing, and small quantities required for production. At Wattle Hill, our Early Harvest EVOO is a limited-release treasure, reflecting the peak of our grove’s flavour and quality each season.
In Short
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Everday EVOO: Ripe olives, robust and versatile, long picking period.
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Early Harvest EVOO: Green, unripe olives, smaller yields, intense herbaceous flavours, higher antioxidants and polyphenols.
Early Harvest EVOO isn’t just olive oil—it’s a true expression of our grove, our season, and our craft.
