How to read an olive oil test sheet
2 min read · updated 11 Oct 2026
The four main readings
Free acidity shows how much the fat has broken down; a lower figure means the oil was handled and stored better.
The peroxide value indicates early oxidation. UV absorbance (K232 and K270) also reflects oxidation and sometimes age or poor processing.
Compare each figure with the national olive oil standard; take the limits from the approved text of that standard, not from memory.
Why a sensory test as well?
The extra virgin and virgin grades cannot be set by chemistry alone; a sensory panel is also required. For extra virgin the median of defects must be zero and the fruity median above zero.
Three questions before you trust it
Which batch and date does the sample belong to? Which method did the laboratory use? Does the result apply only to that sample? Every sheet is valid only for the sample of that batch.
Frequently asked
What does olive oil acidity show?
How far the fat has broken down; a lower figure means better handling and storage.
Sources
- Boskou D. (ed.) (2006). Olive Oil: Chemistry and Technology, 2nd ed. AOCS Press.
- Bendini A. et al. (2007). Phenolic Molecules in Virgin Olive Oils: a Survey of Their Sensory Properties, Health Effects, Antioxidant Activity and Analytical Methods. Molecules 12: 1679–1719.
This article is general information and is not medical advice.
