Why Good Olive Oil Tastes Peppery

If a fresh extra virgin olive oil gives you a peppery sensation at the back of the throat, that is not a fault.

Pungency is one of the positive sensory characteristics assessed in olive oil, alongside fruitiness and bitterness.

Why some oils are more peppery

Variety, harvest timing, fruit maturity and processing all affect pungency. Oils made from greener fruit are often more bitter and peppery than oils made from riper olives.

Does peppery mean better?

Not by itself. A balanced mild oil can also be excellent. Pepperiness is one part of the sensory profile, not a quality score on its own.

Our Koroneiki oil from Mani tends to show a clear peppery finish, particularly when young.

Read about early harvest olive oil, learn why we use Koroneiki olives, or see the current oil.