The Short Answer
"Pure" olive oil is actually a blend of highly refined oil and a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil. It is not a premium, natural product.
To fix defective or acidic olives, producers use high heat and chemical processes to strip the oil of its bad flavor and color. They then add back 5% to 15% extra virgin olive oil so it looks and tastes like the real thing.
Why This Matters
The word "pure" sounds like a guarantee of quality, but it's just a marketing loophole. The USDA and International Olive Council officially classify this product simply as "olive oil." Marketers added the word "pure" to make a heavily processed product sound natural to unaware consumers. Extra Virgin Vs Regular
When you buy pure olive oil, you are paying for the olive oil halo without getting the actual benefits. The harsh refining process destroys up to 85% of the antioxidants and polyphenols that make olive oil healthy in the first place. Is Olive Oil Healthy
This matters because consumers often use pure olive oil for raw applications like salads, thinking they are making a healthy choice. If you want the heart health and anti-inflammatory benefits of olives, pure olive oil won't give them to you.
What's Actually In Pure Olive Oil
- Refined Olive Oil (85-95%) — Oil extracted from lower-quality olives that failed the taste or acidity tests required for virgin grades. It is treated with heat, steam, and neutralizing agents to remove bad flavors. Refined Oil Meaning
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (5-15%) — A small splash of high-quality, cold-pressed oil. It is added back in solely to restore a faint yellow-green color and a mild olive flavor.
- Empty Calories — Because the refining process strips out the polyphenols, what's left is mostly pure fat. You lose the protective compounds found in real EVOO.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- "Extra Virgin" on the label — This is the only legally protected term that guarantees the oil was cold-pressed without heat or chemicals.
- Harvest dates — High-quality oils tell you exactly when the olives were picked, not just the year the bottle expires.
- Dark glass bottles — Authentic olive oil degrades in light, so quality brands protect their product in dark glass or tin.
Red Flags:
- The word "Pure" or "Classic" — These are unregulated marketing terms designed to mask the fact that the oil has been refined.
- "Light" or "Extra Light" — This doesn't mean fewer calories. It means the oil is even more refined and has virtually zero olive flavor. Light Olive Oil Meaning
- Cheap clear plastic bottles — Refined oils are highly stable, so producers save money by putting them in cheap, clear plastic.
The Best Options
If you want the health benefits of olive oil, you have to buy Extra Virgin. If you need a neutral, high-heat cooking oil, there are far better choices than refined olive oil. Best Oil High Heat
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Olive Ranch | 100% California Extra Virgin | ✅ | Cold-pressed, third-party tested, and packed with polyphenols. |
| Chosen Foods | 100% Pure Avocado Oil | ✅ | A better high-heat alternative for cooking that isn't chemically refined. |
| Filippo Berio | Pure Olive Oil | 🚫 | A heavily refined blend that lacks the antioxidants of extra virgin. |
The Bottom Line
1. Stop buying "pure" olive oil for health reasons. It has been stripped of the cancer-fighting polyphenols that make olive oil famous.
2. Upgrade to Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is the only grade that guarantees cold extraction without chemical refining. Extra Virgin Vs Regular
3. Use avocado oil for high heat. If you were using pure olive oil because it has a higher smoke point, naturally refined avocado oil is a better alternative. Avocado Oil Vs Olive Oil
FAQ
Is pure olive oil fake?
It is made from real olives, but it is heavily processed. It isn't "fake" in the sense of being illegally mixed with cheap seed oils, but it is objectively lower quality than Extra Virgin. If you are worried about widespread industry adulteration, check out our guide to spotting fake olive oil. Is My Olive Oil Fake
Can you cook with pure olive oil?
Yes, it has a smoke point around 465°F. Because the impurities have been refined out, it actually handles high-heat cooking better than Extra Virgin. However, we still recommend other unrefined oils for high-heat cooking. Cooking Olive Oil High Heat
Is pure olive oil good for baking?
It works well in baking because of its neutral flavor. Unlike robust EVOO, it won't make your cakes or sweet breads taste aggressively like olives. Still, a high-quality, mild-tasting EVOO or avocado oil can do the exact same job without the chemical refining. Best Oil Baking