Density of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The density of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is one of the key indicators that helps us identify its level of purity. And it's something worth learning to analyse. But why? Many products on the market contain low-quality oil — or sometimes no real oil at all. By paying attention to density, we can learn to assess its value.

Much like wine, the different types of oil available each have very specific characteristics that help us tell them apart. You've probably noticed that, although sunflower oil and olive oil can both be grouped under the broad category of edible oils, the two can be distinguished in a relatively straightforward way. In fact, one of the most noticeable differences between them is their density.

But before we can learn to evaluate the density of oils, it's important to first understand what this concept actually means.

What exactly is the density of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

As a child, you probably enjoyed mixing different substances together as a kind of experiment. Chances are you tried combining water and oil — and were surprised to discover that, despite both being liquids, they simply wouldn't mix.

That example is a great way to visualise what a difference in density actually means. Water is lighter and less viscous than oil, and this difference in body makes a complete fusion between the two impossible.

To be more precise, density is a unit of measurement that tells us how much mass is contained within a given body or volume of space.

Density is probably the easiest characteristic to detect when making a first assessment of quality before you buy olive oil. When evaluating an extra virgin olive oil and trying to determine its level of purity, we need to analyse the consistency of its body.

Continuing with the same analogy, we could say that the more consistent an oil is, the higher its pure oil content. In other words, the more water there is in the bottle — and therefore the less oil present in the mixture — the less pure the product is, and the lower its quality.

What is the right density for a high-quality olive oil?

To establish an optimal benchmark for what can be considered a high-quality oil, the UN set the ideal weight of olive oil at 0.916 kilograms per litre. Temperature is also a variable that must be factored in when assessing the quality of the oil.

The relationship between density and ambient temperature is particularly important for taking accurate measurements. As you might expect, temperature has a significant effect on the result.

Have you ever noticed that olive oil tends to look almost solid at low temperatures? When exposed to high heat during cooking, however, it becomes lighter and more fluid. At elevated temperatures, olive oil's density can drop to as low as 0.80 kg/litre.

It is precisely this density that makes olive oil a healthier option when used as a cooking ingredient. Unlike vegetable fats, extra virgin olive oil has a chemical composition that makes it more resistant to temperatures above 180 degrees Celsius.

Its molecular structure is more stable, which means it breaks down far more slowly. As a result, it is absorbed by food to a much lesser degree, ultimately contributing fewer calories and making it easier to digest.

Temperature and density in olive oil

Temperature (ºC)	Density (kg/litre)
6	0.9230
7	0.9224
8	0.9217
9	0.9210
10	0.9204
11	0.9197
12	0.9190
13	0.9184
14	0.9177
15	0.9170
16	0.9164
17	0.9157
18	0.9150
19	0.9144
20	0.9137
21	0.9130
22	0.9124
23	0.9117
24	0.9110
25	0.9104
26	0.9097
27	0.9090
28	0.9084
29	0.9077

Because temperature is an environmental factor capable of altering the density of substances, it must be taken into account when taking any measurement.

For an accurate quality assessment of any given oil, the UN established a reference temperature of between 16 and 17 degrees Celsius. When the oil is within this range, the measurement will be precise and reliable.

What exactly determines the higher or lower density of an extra virgin olive oil?

Several different factors can affect an oil's consistency. One of the most significant is the nature of the oil itself — its origin. Under what category does it fall?

Have you ever taken a look at the wide range of vegetable oils available? If so, you'll have noticed that sunflower oil, for example, is considerably denser than palm oil. This difference is rooted in each oil's origin, but it can also be influenced by other factors — such as the blend used or the production method applied.

Density across different oil types

Oil type	Relative density
Sunflower oil	0.918 - 0.923
Soybean oil	0.919 - 0.925
Olive oil	0.913 - 0.916
Palm oil	0.908 - 0.921
Coconut oil	0.908 - 0.921
Corn oil	0.917 - 0.925
Rapeseed oil	0.910 - 0.920
Cottonseed oil	0.918 - 0.926

Knowing the density of extra virgin olive oil makes it easier to separate water, oil and other components — helping to purify the final product. Through a mechanical process based on centrifugation, it is possible to obtain extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality, with all the benefits that come with it.

How to preserve the properties of extra virgin olive oil and maintain the correct density level

High temperatures are detrimental to extra virgin olive oil, and if it is not going to be used for high-heat cooking, it should be kept away from heat sources.

It's important to store it in a dry, cool place with low humidity. Light can also have a corrosive effect on the oil, so it should be kept in a dark spot or somewhere with minimal light exposure.

Density comparison: vegetable oils vs. olive oil

Oil type	Relative density	Difference vs. olive oil
Sunflower oil	0.918 - 0.923	0.005 - 0.007
Soybean oil	0.919 - 0.925	0.006 - 0.009
Palm oil	0.908 - 0.921	0.005
Coconut oil	0.908 - 0.921	0.005
Corn oil	0.917 - 0.925	0.004 - 0.009
Rapeseed oil	0.910 - 0.920	0.004 - 0.007
Cottonseed oil	0.918 - 0.926	0.005 - 0.010

We hope this article has helped you better understand olive oil density and how temperature affects it.

If you appreciate high-quality extra virgin olive oil, we offer a wide range of exceptional EVOOs.

Get in touch with us for more information. See you in the next article.

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