Just as having an Oscar or a Goya always adds greater appeal to a movie, Having won extra virgin olive oil competitions also means a boost of confidence. when choosing an EVOO, right? And, in a market with a very wide offer, having external recognition is a guarantee of quality and distinction. That is to say, these competitions not only reward the best oils, but also serve as a guide for consumers who want to enjoy the most outstanding products on the market.

What are extra virgin olive oil contests?

Keep in mind that these events meet expert EVOO tasters willing to select the best oils based on some technical criteria and through blind tastings. In this way, the reputation achieved through marketing is out of the question. They are exclusively the organoleptic properties of the product (flavor, aroma, complexity...) those that are debated during the extra virgin olive oil competitions.

Now, you must keep in mind that not all awards represent the same reputation, in the same way that for a restaurant a mention in The Fork Awards is not as prestigious as obtaining a Michelin star. In this sense, you must consider the scope of the contest, es decir, si se pueden presentar AOVEs de una zona o si hay competencia de todo el país o incluso del mundo. Likewise, one's own fame of the award, the tasting method or the category of the award They are factors to take into account.

What are the most important extra virgin olive oil competitions?

That said, What are the main extra virgin olive oil competitions? Here you have a list of the main national and international awards.

Competitions in Spain

On the national scene, having the recognition of the following extra virgin olive oil competitions and being able to show the distinction on the EVOO label is synonymous with excellence. Yes indeed, Although they are events held in Spain, oils from all over the world can participate.. What are they?

• Mario Solinas International Award. Organized by the International Olive Council (IOC), this award promotes the production of EVOOs of exceptional quality throughout the world, focusing on the harmony of the oil. To do this, it has an international jury, made up of panel leaders endorsed by the convening body.
• EVOOLEUM. This is a contest in which the best 100 EVOOs on the planet are recognized based on the organoleptic properties of the product appreciated by international experts. It has rankings by absolute modality and by different categories, such as Best coupage, Best Monovarietal, Best Fruity Green…
• EASO Awards. They are promoted by the Higher School of Olive Oil (ESAO) and are also aimed at EVOOs from around the world, distinguishing between Best International EVOO, Best Bottler/Marketer EVOO, Local Variety Award or Innovation Award, among others.
• Ecoplot. In the field of competitions organic extra virgin olive oils, we must highlight this contest, sponsored by Ecovalia, the Spanish professional association of organic production. In it, internationally renowned tasters evaluate the best EVOOs certified as organic under recognized international standards.
• CINVE Awards. This contest is 25 years old and aims to discover the best EVOOs, in four categories (Intense fruity, Delicate Fruity, Flavored and Jury's Choice). In addition to extra virgin, it also evaluates vinegars, wines, vermouths and other spirits.

International EVOO competitions

As EVOO is a world-famous delicacy, there are also famous extra virgin olive oil competitions outside our borders. What events stand out globally?

• New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC). It is organized by the Olive Oil Times and it is known as the 'EVOO Olympics'. It is not surprising considering that more than a thousand products from more than thirty countries participate in it.
• Japan Olive Oil Prize (JOOP). Despite the distance from Japan to the Mediterranean Diet of olive oil, the Japanese market is a large consumer of EVOO and, therefore, this contest is one of the fundamental extra virgin olive oil competitions to conquer the palates of the Japanese due to its commercial disengagement and exhaustive blind tastings.
• London International Olive Oil Competition (LIOOC). Returning to the European continent, another award worth mentioning is this one promoted by the London International Olive Oil Council. Prizes are awarded for quality, health, packaging and infused EVOOs.
• EVO International Olive Oil Competition (EVO IOOC). In Italy, another of the major producers of olive oil after Spain, this recognition, founded in 2011, stands out. In fact, it is considered one of the five best international competitions for extra virgin olive oil and the first in its country.
• Athena International Olive Oil Competition. Nor should we forget this Greek contest, another nation with a long tradition in the oil sector. In this sense, it has earned the trust of hundreds of producers from all countries in the world and the respect of the most internationally recognized olive oil judges, making it an important milestone for any EVOO.

Although there are many other extra virgin olive oil contests, Having any of these awards shows that we are dealing with an EVOO of a higher level. This is the case of the Hacienda Guzmán extra virgins, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to excellence, obtaining numerous awards in the most prestigious competitions. Consult our extensive track record and see for yourself what the recognitions are for.