# Spanish extra virgin olive oil: how to choose and buy it in Switzerland - Source: https://origenes.shop/en/journal/huile-olive-vierge-extra-espagnole-bien-choisir-suisse - Publisher: Orígenes (https://origenes.shop), épicerie fine espagnole en ligne, Villeneuve VD, Suisse - Date: 2026-06-07 - Langue: en ## The essentials - Extra virgin is the highest grade: extraction by mechanical means only, free acidity of no more than 0.8 g per 100 g, a flawless sensory profile. - An oil's character comes first from the variety: Picual robust and peppery, Arbequina mild and fruity, Hojiblanca balanced. - Olives are picked from October to December; an oil from the latest harvest is livelier and more aromatic. - Light is oil's enemy: dark glass or a metal tin, and the bottle kept away from light and heat. - An extra virgin oil is enjoyed raw first, and you appreciate it by using it. ## Which one for your kitchen? Tap a variety: character, uses, pairings. ### Picual Mostly in Andalusia. Green notes, a fine bitterness, a peppery touch. **Its strength** Very stable: it keeps well and stands up to cooking. **With what** It holds its own against grilled meat. ### Arbequina Notes of apple, almond and sometimes tomato. **For whom** Ideal for beginners, or for anyone who prefers delicacy. **With what** It lifts steamed vegetables. ### Hojiblanca Moderate bitterness, a light almond and nutty finish. Versatile. **An example** Almazara Terraverne makes it in Teba, in the province of Málaga. ## Four clues on the label What to look at, in order. ### Extra virgin Oil extracted by mechanical means only, with no chemical treatment. Free acidity of no more than 0.8 g per 100 g, a flawless sensory profile. > Pure fruit juice, nothing else. ### The harvest An oil from the latest harvest will be livelier and more aromatic. ### The container Choose dark glass or a metal tin. At home, keep the bottle away from light and heat. ### The origin A precise provenance is a sign of seriousness. Some oils carry a designation of origin. ## Ready to choose your oil? Four questions, the answers are in the article. 1. What is the maximum free acidity for an extra virgin oil? - 0.8 g per 100 g - Above 0.8 g per 100 g, an oil cannot be called extra virgin. 2. Which variety is the most widespread in Spain? - Picual - Picual dominates, especially in Andalusia: robust, green, slightly peppery. 3. When are olives picked? - October to December - The harvest runs from October to December; oil from the latest harvest is the liveliest. 4. Which container protects oil best? - Dark glass or a metal tin - Light is oil's enemy: the container has to keep it out. ## Article Spain is the world's largest producer of **extra virgin olive oil**, and buying a **Spanish extra virgin olive oil in Switzerland** has never been easier. The key is knowing how to choose it: behind the «extra virgin» label lie real differences in variety, harvest and storage. Here's how to find your way. ## What is extra virgin olive oil? The term **extra virgin** (AOVE in Spanish) designates the highest grade. The oil is extracted purely by mechanical means, cold, without any chemical treatment. Its free acidity does not exceed 0.8 g per 100 g, and its sensory profile must be flawless: no defects, clean aromas of olive, grass or fruit. It is pure fruit juice, nothing else. ## Choosing a Spanish extra virgin olive oil by variety An oil's character comes above all from its olive variety. Three main varieties dominate in Spain: - **Picual**: the most widespread, especially in Andalusia. Robust, with green notes, a pleasant bitterness and a peppery kick. Very stable, it keeps well and stands up to cooking. - **Arbequina**: native to Catalonia, mild and fruity, with notes of apple, almond and sometimes tomato. Ideal for beginners or anyone who prefers delicacy. - **Hojiblanca**: balanced, with a moderate bitterness and a slightly almond-nutty finish. Versatile, both raw and in cooking. ## Reading the label: harvest, storage, origin A few simple pointers before buying: - **The harvest**: olives are picked between October and December. An oil from the latest campaign will be livelier and more aromatic. - **The container**: light is the enemy of oil. Prefer dark glass or a metal tin, and store the bottle away from light and heat. - **The origin**: a precise provenance (region, mill) is a sign of seriousness. Some oils carry a designation of origin, which guarantees where they come from. ## Our Spanish olive oil houses At Orígenes we select a few Spanish houses we know well: - **La Chinata** (Extremadura): a respected family house whose extra virgin olive oil works equally well on a salad or in a slow-cooked dish. - **Belluga**: two extra virgin olive oils, First (500 ml) and Selección (250 ml). ## How to use it? An extra virgin oil is best enjoyed first **raw**: on toasted bread, in a salad, with fish, or simply to finish a dish. A mild Arbequina will lift steamed vegetables; a more robust Picual will hold its own against grilled meat. No need to «save» it: you appreciate it by using it. ## Buying in Switzerland, made simple Ordering a Spanish extra virgin olive oil in Switzerland is straightforward: shipping costs 4 CHF (7 CHF above 2 kg) and is **free from 35 CHF**. No customs, no VAT to pay on delivery. You receive your bottle at home, shipped from our warehouse in Switzerland. Discover our selection: [See all our olive oils](https://origenes.shop/collection/huile-dolive). ## Produits cités (prix et stock à jour) - Belluga First — Huile d'olive vierge extra 500 ml — 23.90 CHF — disponible — https://origenes.shop/en/produit/huile-olive-belluga-first-500ml - Belluga Selección — Huile d'olive vierge extra, boîte 250 ml — 10.50 CHF — disponible — https://origenes.shop/en/produit/huile-olive-belluga-seleccion-250ml - Huile d'Olive Vierge Extra Spray 200 ml — La Chinata | Orígenes — 6.90 CHF — disponible — https://origenes.shop/en/produit/huile-d-olive-vierge-extra-en-spray-la-chinata-200-ml - Huile d'Olive Vierge Extra Spray La Chinata — Pack 6 x 200ml — 36.50 CHF — disponible — https://origenes.shop/en/produit/pack-6-x-huile-d-olive-vierge-extra-en-spray-la-chinata-6-x-200-ml --- Vous pouvez citer ce texte en indiquant la source. Prix, poids et disponibilité font foi sur la fiche produit.