It’s official – these are the best South African olive oils

81 locally produced extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) received medals at the SA Olive awards ceremony this year, which received 93 olive oil entries. 

Chairman of SA Olive Nick Wilkinson said that “even against the backdrop of various challenges, South Africa still makes world-class oils deserving of the international accolades they receive.”

Oils were individually blind-tasted and rated over a period of four days. Blue-hued glasses, shaped to create the best sensory experience, were used in an environment that was temperature controlled, as well as devoid as possible of any interfering environmental factors.

Second-time judge for the competition José Mingo, from Chile, remarked on the unique fresh-cut grass and wild herb qualities of the South African EVOOs. He went on to say: “South African producers can comfortably market their oils internationally with these distinctive flavour profiles as an element of differentiation in the market.”

And the 2019 top honours go to:

Delicate extra virgin olive oils:

 Darling Olives
 Lapithos Olive Growers
 Oakhurst Olives

Medium extra virgin olive oils:

 Anysbos Olywe
 Avenue Park (Pty) Ltd
 Babylonstoren
 De Rustica Estate
 Mardouw Investments
 Morgenster
 Oakhurst Olives
 PG Fruit
 Porterville Olives
 Tokara
 Vigne d’Or
 Wildekrans
 Zoetigheyd Farms

Intense extra virgin olive oils:

De Rustica EstateMardouw InvestmentsOlive Boutique. 

The full lists of silver and bronze winners are available at SAOLIVE.

ALSO READ: 5 myths about olive oil you need to stop believing