When it comes to extra virgin olive oil, not all bottles are created equal. One of the most important—and often overlooked—indicators of quality is whether the olive oil is from a single crop year. But what does that really mean, and why should it matter to you?
Let’s break it down.
What Is a One Crop Year Olive Oil?
A one crop year (or mono-harvest) extra virgin olive oil means that all the olives used to make the oil were harvested in the same season, from the same year. It is the freshest expression of that year’s harvest—pressed and bottled without blending in oils from previous or later years.
It’s like enjoying a fine vintage wine, where everything in the bottle represents the climate, soil, and care taken during one specific season.
Why It Matters:
1. Freshness & Flavor
Olive oil is at its best when it’s fresh. A one crop year Extra Virgin Olive Oil guarantees you’re tasting oil made from recently harvested olives. It delivers a bold aroma, vibrant flavor, and a rich color that reflects its natural state—without the dullness that can come from mixing in older oils.
2. Traceability & Transparency
When producers commit to using olives from a single harvest, they are also committing to transparency. It allows you to trace your EVOO back to the very grove and season it came from. That’s something mass-market blends simply can’t offer.
3. Nutritional Value
Freshly harvested EVOO has higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidants, which are key to its health benefits—supporting heart health, reducing inflammation, and providing strong anti-aging properties. With a one crop year oil, those nutrients haven’t degraded over time.
4. Quality Control
Blending oils from multiple harvests is often a way to mask lower quality. Single-year oils come from producers who take pride in their craftsmanship. It reflects careful harvesting, quick pressing, and proper storage—hallmarks of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
5. A True Taste of Terroir
Just like wine, EVOO has a terroir—the unique taste that comes from the environment where the olives are grown. A single crop year oil preserves this identity, giving you a pure, unaltered experience of the land it comes from.
The Bottom Line: Taste the Difference
Choosing a one crop year EVOO means choosing purity, freshness, and authenticity. Whether you drizzle it over your salad, dip fresh bread into it, or use it to finish a dish—you’re experiencing olive oil the way it was meant to be.
At Molón Lavé, we believe in honoring each harvest. That’s why our EVOO is always from a single crop year—because you deserve to taste the real thing.