Frequently Asked Questions
Olive oil explained clearly — from polyphenols to storage.
What is extra virgin olive oil?
Extra virgin olive oil is the highest grade: produced solely by mechanical means (cold-pressed), with no chemical treatment, and an acidity below 0.8%. Terra di Gaia is cold-pressed within a few hours of the harvest and bottled unfiltered.
How do you recognise good olive oil?
By traceable origin (one region, one producer), a current harvest year, low acidity, the indication “cold-pressed”, and by taste: fresh oil tastes green, slightly bitter and peppery on the finish. Dark glass protects it from light.
What are polyphenols in olive oil?
Polyphenols are natural plant compounds of the olive; they give the typical bitterness and pungency and are measured in mg/kg. Ordinary olive oil sits at around 50 mg/kg. Terra di Gaia Nobile contains 344 mg/kg, Intenso 697 mg/kg (laboratory-confirmed, COI method).
How do Nobile and Intenso differ?
Nobile is balanced, refined and versatile (344 mg/kg polyphenols, 0.21% acidity) — the cultivated companion for every day. Intenso is concentrated, spicy and long on the finish (697 mg/kg) — for raw meat, aged cheese and as a finishing oil.
What do “cold-pressed” and “unfiltered” mean?
Cold-pressed means the oil is extracted purely mechanically and without added heat — so aroma and natural compounds are preserved. Unfiltered means fine particles remain in the bottle; the oil looks slightly cloudy and tastes especially fresh.
What is Dolce di Rossano?
Dolce di Rossano is a rare Calabrian olive variety (cultivar) from the area around Rossano in Calabria. It is the basis of both Terra di Gaia oils and stands for a mild, balanced profile.
What does acidity mean in olive oil?
Acidity indicates the share of free fatty acids — the lower it is, the fresher and more carefully processed the oil. For extra virgin olive oil it is by definition below 0.8%. Nobile has a laboratory-confirmed acidity of 0.21%.
How do I store olive oil correctly?
Store it cool, dark and tightly sealed, away from the stove and sunlight. Olive oil is not made for keeping: it is best used within a few months of opening — it tastes most intense when harvest-fresh.
Am I buying directly from the producer?
Yes. Terra di Gaia is a family brand from Rossano, named after our daughter Gaia. The oil comes from a single hill, is never bought in or blended, and is strictly limited per vintage.
How does shipping work?
Payment is handled securely via Stripe; shipping within the DACH region usually takes 2–4 working days. All prices include VAT, plus shipping.