What is Ultra Premium Olive Oil?

What is Ultra Premium?

Ultra Premium (UP) is a new category of olive oil that distinguishes the highest quality olive oil in the world. The UP standard was created to separate high quality extra virgin olive oils from what dominates the so called “gourmet” and “premium” olive oil markets. Since the highest quality EVOO comes from high quality fruit coupled with high quality production processes, the UP standard has strict requirements for both the end-product and the production process. Numerous trade associations and government agencies have created absurdly low standards for olive oil production, creating confusion and misinformation in the market. Lack of enforcement and testing by these same agencies has led to a marketplace dominated by inferior oils and rife with adulteration.

In order to qualify for the UP grade, the extra virgin olive oil must meet or exceed a set of Production, Storage, Transportation, Testing, Chemistry, and Organoleptic requirements. Instead of placing an overemphasis on “Where” the olive oil is produced, the UP program focuses on the more important “When, What, and How”. All UP certified oils have been tested by an independent lab with both a sensory and chemical analysis, to ensure they meet or exceed the verifiable standards of the program. The UP program is intended to reward farmers for producing high quality oil and to promote Fair Trade practices