Glossary of Bulk Oil Terms

Hannah Broaddus

Bulk edible oil advisor to the manufacturing and distribution industries. Lover of inbound marketing, good conversations and great coffee.

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Sediment

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 20, 2012 10:00:00 PM

Small olive particles sometimes found in olive oil.  Sediment can be found throughout the oil (also known as unfiltered oil), though it is often found at the bottom of a container after it has settled.  This olive sediment is sometimes regarded as an indication of a good oil, though it simply shows whether the oil was filtered once, twice or not at all.

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Shelf Life

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 19, 2012 10:00:00 PM

The life expectancy that oil should be used within.  The shelf life for olive oil is typically 24 months from the date of manufacture, stored in an unopened container.  Like all natural, fresh products, olive oil is optimally used ASAP after it is manufactured.

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Smoke Point

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 18, 2012 10:00:00 PM

The temperature at which oil begins to break down and produce smoke. These exact smoke points are debated throughout the industry, but here is a ballpark:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (premium-quality, low acidity): 410° F
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 375° F
Virgin Olive Oil: 390° F
Refined/Lite Olive Oil: 465° F
Olive Pomace Oil: 460° F
Canola Oil: 450° F

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Solidifying Point

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 17, 2012 10:00:00 PM

Olive Oil will solidify or crystalize when refrigerated or frozen.  The actual solidifying point of olive oil depends on the grade of oil, but it is generally thought to be around 37° F.  Because olive oil is made up of a combination of both waxes and water, and it is a natural product that changes from harvest to harvest, the actual solidifying point will not be constant.  The solidifying process doesn’t harm the quality of the olive oil; in fact, it can extend its shelf life.  It is a myth that the solidifying point of olive oil can be used to predict quality.

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Solvent

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 16, 2012 10:00:00 PM

A chemical used to remove oil from a seemingly dry substance, like seeds or olive pomace. This chemical removes any oil that can not be expelled using mechanical means. One of the most common solvent solutions used with Olive Pomace Oil is hexane.

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Solvent Extraction

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 15, 2012 10:00:00 PM

A manufacturing process that employs a chemical solvent to extract the oil from the olive pulp/pomace.  Instead of physically pressing or spinning the oil out of the olive pulp, this process uses a solvent (typically hexane) to remove the remaining oil.  This is a common process used with pomace and seed oil extraction.

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Spec Sheet

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 14, 2012 10:00:00 PM

Also known as a specification sheet or ‘specs’, this is a general information sheet on the product shows the item description, nutritional information, packaging options, ideal storage conditions and chemical testing limits of a product.

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Spigot

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 13, 2012 10:00:00 PM

Tote SpigotThe spout that olive oil pours out of at the bottom of a tote.  This spigot may be a separate attachment piece, as is used with the Bag-in-Box tote, or may be built-in, like in the hard plastic totes.  Also, sometimes referred to as a valve.

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Stain Removal (of olive oil)

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 13, 2012 9:00:00 AM

Place stained cloth on flat surface or towel. Cover stain with thick layer of cornstarch, salt or baking soda. Allow to sit until dry ingredient begins to cake. Scrape off with table knife and discard dry ingredient, which will have absorbed most of oil. Launder as usual, in hottest water recommended for fabric.

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Standard Tote

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

Nov 11, 2012 10:00:00 PM

See Plastic Tote.

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