What Is Olive Oil? Types, Uses and How It Is Made

Olive oil is one of the most widely used cooking oils in the world.

It is especially important in Mediterranean cuisines, where it is used for:

• Cooking
• Salad dressings
• Marinades
• Dipping bread
• Finishing dishes
• Roasting vegetables
• Making sauces

Unlike many common cooking oils that are extracted from seeds, olive oil comes from the fruit of the olive tree.

Olive oil is an edible oil made by crushing olives and separating the oil from the water and solid parts of the fruit.

There are several types of olive oil, including:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Virgin olive oil
• Refined olive oil
• Olive oil blends
• Light olive oil
• Olive pomace oil

These oils can differ in:

• Flavor
• Aroma
• Processing
• Color
• Price
• Best culinary use

This guide explains what olive oil is, how it is made, what extra virgin olive oil means, the different types available, whether olive oil can be used for cooking, how it should be stored, and how it compares with other common cooking oils.

What Is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is the natural oil found inside olives.

Olives are the fruit of the olive tree, scientifically known as Olea europaea.

To make olive oil, producers generally:

1. Harvest olives.
2. Clean them.
3. Crush them into a paste.
4. Separate the oil from water and olive solids.
5. Filter or settle the oil depending on the producer.
6. Store and bottle the finished product.

High-quality virgin olive oils are produced primarily through mechanical methods rather than heavy chemical refining.

Is Olive Oil Made From the Fruit or the Seed?

Olive oil comes primarily from the flesh of the olive fruit.

This makes it different from many other cooking oils.

For example:

• Canola oil comes from rapeseed.
• Sunflower oil comes from sunflower seeds.
• Sesame oil comes from sesame seeds.
• Corn oil comes from corn germ.

Olive oil is essentially a fruit oil.

Where Does Olive Oil Come From?

Olive oil has deep roots in the Mediterranean region.

Major olive-growing areas include parts of:

• Spain
• Italy
• Greece
• Portugal
• Turkey
• Tunisia
• Morocco
• Other Mediterranean countries

Olives are also grown in other climates around the world, including parts of the United States, South America, Australia, and elsewhere.

How Is Olive Oil Made?

The basic process begins shortly after the olives are harvested.

Step 1: Harvest the Olives

Olives may be harvested:

• By hand
• With mechanical shakers
• Using specialized harvesting equipment

The ripeness of the olive can influence:

• Flavor
• Aroma
• Color
• Oil yield

Step 2: Clean the Olives

Leaves, dirt, branches, and other material are removed.

Step 3: Crush the Olives

The whole olives are crushed into a paste.

This breaks the plant cells and releases tiny droplets of oil.

Step 4: Mix the Paste

The paste is slowly mixed so small oil droplets can combine into larger ones.

This process is known as malaxation.

Step 5: Separate the Oil

Modern producers commonly use centrifuges to separate:

• Oil
• Water
• Olive solids

Step 6: Filter or Settle

The oil may be filtered or allowed to settle naturally before storage.

Step 7: Store the Oil

Olive oil is typically stored away from:

• Heat
• Light
• Oxygen

which can gradually reduce its quality.

What Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Extra virgin olive oil, often abbreviated as EVOO, is the highest recognized grade of virgin olive oil.

It is produced through mechanical processing without refining and must meet quality standards related to:

• Chemical composition
• Flavor
• Aroma

Extra virgin olive oil should not have significant sensory defects.

It often has more noticeable flavor than refined olive oil.

What Does Extra Virgin Mean?

The phrase extra virgin refers to the quality and processing classification of the oil.

It does not mean that the olives were pressed multiple times or that the oil contains extra olive flavoring.

Extra virgin olive oil is:

• Mechanically extracted
• Unrefined
• Evaluated for quality
• Expected to have desirable flavor and aroma

What Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Taste Like?

The flavor can vary significantly depending on:

• Olive variety
• Harvest time
• Growing region
• Processing
• Freshness

Possible flavors include:

• Fruity
• Grassy
• Peppery
• Herbal
• Nutty
• Bitter
• Green

A slight bitterness or peppery sensation can be normal in a fresh, flavorful extra virgin olive oil.

Why Does Olive Oil Taste Peppery?

Some extra virgin olive oils create a peppery sensation in the throat.

This characteristic can come from naturally occurring phenolic compounds in the oil.

It does not necessarily mean the oil has gone bad.

Why Does Olive Oil Taste Bitter?

Mild bitterness can also be a normal quality in olive oil, especially oils made from greener or less-ripe olives.

Bitterness should not automatically be confused with rancidity.

What Is Virgin Olive Oil?

Virgin olive oil is also mechanically extracted and unrefined.

However, it does not meet the same quality level required for extra virgin classification.

It may have:

• Higher acidity
• More noticeable sensory imperfections
• Less refined flavor

than extra virgin olive oil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs. Virgin Olive Oil

What Is Refined Olive Oil?

Refined olive oil is olive oil that has undergone additional processing to remove undesirable:

• Flavors
• Odors
• Acidity
• Impurities

Refining creates an oil with a more neutral flavor.

It also removes much of the distinctive aroma associated with high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

What Is Regular Olive Oil?

Bottles labeled simply olive oil are often blends of:

• Refined olive oil
• A smaller amount of virgin olive oil

The virgin olive oil adds some:

• Flavor
• Color
• Aroma

to the more neutral refined base.

What Is Pure Olive Oil?

The phrase pure olive oil can be misleading.

It does not necessarily mean higher quality than extra virgin olive oil.

In many markets, products marketed as pure olive oil contain refined olive oil blended with virgin olive oil.

What Is Light Olive Oil?

Light olive oil does not usually mean the oil contains fewer calories.

The word light typically refers to its:

• Lighter flavor
• Lighter aroma

because the oil has been refined.

Like other fats, light olive oil still contains roughly the same amount of calories per tablespoon as other olive oils.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs. Light Olive Oil

What Is Olive Pomace Oil?

After most of the oil is mechanically extracted from olives, a material known as olive pomace remains.

This contains:

• Olive skins
• Pulp
• Pits
• Small amounts of remaining oil

Olive pomace oil is produced by extracting additional oil from this material and refining it.

It is different from extra virgin olive oil.

Is Olive Pomace Oil the Same as Olive Oil?

It comes from olives, but it belongs to a different category because the extraction and refining process is different.

Pomace oil generally has:

• Milder flavor
• Lower cost
• Different culinary positioning

than premium extra virgin olive oil.

What Is Cold-Pressed Olive Oil?

The term cold-pressed is commonly used to indicate that the oil was extracted without excessive heat.

Modern olive oil production often relies on centrifuges rather than traditional hydraulic presses, so cold extracted may be a more technically accurate phrase for many current products.

The purpose of controlling temperature is to help preserve:

• Flavor
• Aroma
• Quality

What Does First Cold Press Mean?

The phrase comes from older production methods where olives could be physically pressed more than once.

Modern extra virgin olive oil is generally produced through continuous mechanical extraction rather than repeated traditional pressing.

As a result, the term is often more useful as marketing language than as a complete explanation of modern olive oil quality.

What Color Is Olive Oil?

Olive oil can range from:

• Pale yellow
• Golden
• Yellow-green
• Deep green

Color depends on:

• Olive variety
• Ripeness
• Pigments
• Processing
• Storage

Does Greener Olive Oil Mean Better Olive Oil?

No.

Color alone is not a reliable measure of quality.

A high-quality olive oil can be:

• Golden
• Green
• Somewhere in between

This is one reason professional olive oil tasting often avoids judging quality by color.

Can You Cook With Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Yes.

Extra virgin olive oil can be used for many everyday cooking techniques, including:

• Sauteing
• Roasting
• Baking
• Pan cooking
• Light frying

The idea that extra virgin olive oil can only be eaten raw is a common misconception.

Can You Saute With Olive Oil?

Yes.

Olive oil works well for sauteing ingredients such as:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Vegetables
• Fish
• Chicken

Restaurants can use a wide commercial saute pan when preparing sauces, vegetables, proteins, and other dishes with olive oil.

Can You Fry With Olive Oil?

Yes, although the type of frying and cost of the oil matter.

Olive oil can be used for:

• Pan frying
• Shallow frying
• Sauteing

Some operations also deep-fry with olive oil or refined olive oil.

However, premium extra virgin olive oil can be expensive compared with common restaurant frying oils.

What Is the Smoke Point of Olive Oil?

The smoke point varies depending on:

• Olive oil grade
• Refining
• Freshness
• Free fatty acid content

Refined olive oils generally tolerate higher temperatures than some unrefined oils.

Rather than relying on one universal smoke-point number, cooks should select the appropriate oil for the cooking method and avoid overheating any oil until it smokes heavily.

Is Olive Oil Good for High-Heat Cooking?

It can be used for many moderately high-heat applications.

For extremely high-heat cooking or continuous commercial deep frying, restaurants may choose a more neutral refined oil based on:

• Cost
• Flavor
• Smoke point
• Fryer performance

What Is the Best Olive Oil for Cooking?

It depends on what you are making.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Good for:

• Sauteing
• Roasting
• Dressings
• Finishing
• Dipping

Refined Olive Oil

Useful when you want:

• Milder flavor
• Higher-temperature versatility
• Lower cost than premium EVOO

What Is the Best Olive Oil for Salad Dressing?

Extra virgin olive oil is usually the best choice when the flavor of the oil will be noticeable.

A dressing may combine it with:

• Vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Mustard
• Garlic
• Herbs
• Salt
• Pepper

Why Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Used for Finishing?

Finishing means adding a small amount of oil shortly before serving.

This preserves more of the oil's:

• Aroma
• Fresh flavor
• Peppery qualities

It can be drizzled over:

• Pasta
• Pizza
• Soup
• Grilled vegetables
• Fish
• Salads
• Bread

Why Is Olive Oil Served With Bread?

Restaurants sometimes serve extra virgin olive oil as a bread dip.

The oil may be combined with:

• Herbs
• Black pepper
• Balsamic vinegar
• Garlic
• Parmesan

depending on the restaurant concept.

What Foods Use Olive Oil?

Olive oil is particularly common in:

• Italian cuisine
• Greek cuisine
• Spanish cuisine
• Middle Eastern cuisine
• North African cuisine
• Mediterranean cooking broadly

It is now also used in restaurants of nearly every cuisine.

What Dishes Use Olive Oil?

Common examples include:

• Pasta sauces
• Pesto
• Hummus
• Salad dressing
• Bruschetta
• Roasted vegetables
• Grilled fish
• Marinades
• Pizza
• Soups

Why Is Olive Oil Used in Hummus?

Olive oil can add:

• Richness
• Fruitiness
• Smooth texture
• Visual appeal

when drizzled over hummus before serving.

Can Olive Oil Be Used for Baking?

Yes.

Olive oil can replace other liquid fats in certain baked goods.

It is commonly used in:

• Olive oil cakes
• Breads
• Focaccia
• Some cookies

Stronger extra virgin olive oils may contribute noticeable flavor, while lighter refined oils can be more neutral.

Can Olive Oil Replace Butter?

Sometimes.

It works particularly well when a recipe needs liquid fat rather than the structure of solid butter.

However, butter and olive oil behave differently because butter contains:

• Water
• Milk solids
• Fat

while olive oil is almost entirely fat.

The substitution may therefore affect:

• Texture
• Flavor
• Browning

Is Olive Oil Healthy?

Olive oil is primarily made of fat, with monounsaturated fatty acids making up a large proportion.

It is widely associated with Mediterranean dietary patterns.

Like other fats, however, olive oil is calorie-dense.

Its nutritional impact depends on:

• Portion size
• Overall diet
• What foods it replaces

How Many Calories Are in Olive Oil?

One tablespoon of olive oil contains roughly 120 calories.

This is similar to other pure cooking oils because fat provides approximately 9 calories per gram.

Does Olive Oil Contain Cholesterol?

Olive oil is plant-based and does not naturally contain dietary cholesterol.

Does Olive Oil Contain Carbohydrates?

Pure olive oil contains essentially no:

• Carbohydrates
• Sugar
• Protein

It is almost entirely fat.

Is Olive Oil Vegan?

Yes.

Pure olive oil is made from olives and is plant-based.

Is Olive Oil Gluten-Free?

Pure olive oil is naturally gluten-free.

Flavored or infused commercial products should still be checked if a customer has strict dietary requirements.

What Is Infused Olive Oil?

Infused olive oil is olive oil flavored with additional ingredients.

Examples include:

• Garlic olive oil
• Chili olive oil
• Rosemary olive oil
• Basil olive oil
• Lemon olive oil
• Truffle-flavored olive oil

Is Garlic-Infused Olive Oil Safe?

Commercially produced flavored oils should be used and stored according to manufacturer instructions.

Homemade fresh garlic in oil requires careful food-safety handling because low-oxygen oil environments can create risks if the product is stored improperly.

What Is Truffle Oil?

Truffle oil is usually olive oil or another neutral oil flavored to resemble truffles.

Many commercial truffle oils use:

• Truffle aroma compounds
• Flavorings
• Occasionally actual truffle material

depending on the product.

Olive Oil vs. Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is a broad term commonly used for refined oils made from plants such as:

• Soybeans
• Corn
• Canola
• Other sources

Olive Oil vs. Canola Oil

Canola oil is made from canola seeds.

It usually has a much more neutral flavor than extra virgin olive oil.

Olive Oil vs. Avocado Oil

Both are oils made from fruit.

Avocado oil is extracted from avocado pulp.

It often has:

• Mild flavor
• High-heat cooking applications
• A higher retail price than many common vegetable oils

Extra virgin olive oil generally has a more recognizable Mediterranean flavor.

Olive Oil vs. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is made from coconut.

The oils differ significantly in:

• Fat composition
• Flavor
• Texture

Coconut oil can become solid or semi-solid at cooler room temperatures, while olive oil generally remains liquid.

Olive Oil vs. Sesame Oil

Sesame oil comes from sesame seeds.

Toasted sesame oil has an especially strong nutty flavor and is usually used in smaller amounts.

Olive oil is more commonly used as a general-purpose cooking fat in Mediterranean cuisines.

Olive Oil vs. Butter

How Should Olive Oil Be Stored?

Olive oil should be protected from:

• Light
• Heat
• Air

These factors can accelerate oxidation and cause the oil to lose flavor and freshness.

Where Should Olive Oil Be Stored?

A cool, dark cabinet is often ideal.

Avoid leaving bottles:

• Directly next to a hot range
• In sunlight
• Near ovens

for long periods.

Why Does Olive Oil Come in Dark Bottles?

Dark glass can reduce the amount of light reaching the oil.

Light exposure can gradually reduce quality.

Other packaging, such as metal tins, can also protect oil from light.

Should Olive Oil Be Refrigerated?

Routine refrigeration is generally not necessary for most everyday olive oil storage.

Cold temperatures can cause the oil to become:

• Cloudy
• Thicker
• Partially solid

This does not necessarily mean the oil is spoiled.

It usually becomes liquid again as it returns to room temperature.

Does Olive Oil Expire?

Yes.

Olive oil does not improve forever with age.

Unlike wine, olive oil is generally valued for freshness.

Over time, oxidation can cause the oil to become rancid.

What Is Rancid Olive Oil?

Rancidity occurs when fats oxidize and develop undesirable flavors and aromas.

Rancid olive oil may smell or taste:

• Stale
• Waxy
• Crayon-like
• Old
• Flat

Fresh olive oil should have a cleaner and more lively aroma.

How Can You Tell if Olive Oil Is Bad?

Check the:

• Smell
• Taste
• Age
• Storage conditions

A rancid smell or unpleasant stale taste is a stronger warning sign than color alone.

Does Olive Oil Get Better With Age?

No.

Most olive oil tastes best relatively fresh.

Fruitiness, bitterness, pepperiness, and aroma can gradually fade as the oil ages.

What Is Harvest Date on Olive Oil?

Some premium producers print the olive harvest date on the bottle.

This tells buyers approximately when the olives were harvested and processed.

It can help evaluate freshness more directly than looking only at a generic expiration date.

What Is the Best Olive Oil for Restaurants?

Restaurants may use more than one olive oil.

For example:

Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil

For:

• Finishing dishes
• Salad dressing
• Bread service
• Cold sauces

Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil

For:

• Sauteing
• Roasting
• Marinades
• General cooking

Refined Olive Oil

For applications where:

• Olive flavor is less important
• Higher heat is used
• Food cost must be controlled

Why Restaurants Use Multiple Olive Oils

Using premium extra virgin olive oil for every cooking task can be expensive.

A restaurant may reserve its highest-quality oil for places where customers can actually taste it.

This helps balance:

• Food quality
• Flavor
• Ingredient cost

How Should Restaurants Portion Olive Oil?

Olive oil is calorie-dense and can become expensive when over-portioned.

Restaurants may use:

• Measured bottles
• Pour spouts
• Squeeze bottles
• Standard recipes

to control usage.

Nishi Enterprise's Commercial Squeeze Bottles can help restaurant kitchens portion oils, sauces, dressings, and other liquid ingredients consistently.

Using Olive Oil in Commercial Fry Pans

Olive oil works well for pan cooking foods such as:

• Fish
• Vegetables
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Pasta ingredients

Nishi Enterprise carries Commercial Fry Pans for restaurant sauteing, pan frying, and general stovetop cooking.

Using Olive Oil in Saute Pans

Saute pans are useful for:

• Sauces
• Vegetables
• Meat
• Seafood
• Pasta finishing

Nishi Enterprise's Commercial Saute Pans provide a wide cooking surface for high-volume restaurant cooking with olive oil and other fats.

Olive Oil for Salad Dressing in Restaurants

Restaurants can use olive oil as the base for:

• Vinaigrettes
• Caesar-style dressings
• Herb dressings
• Lemon dressings
• Balsamic vinaigrettes

Standardized recipes help keep:

• Flavor
• Food cost
• Consistency

the same from shift to shift.

What Is Olive Oil Used for in Italian Restaurants?

Italian restaurants may use olive oil for:

• Pasta sauces
• Pizza finishing
• Bruschetta
• Salads
• Roasted vegetables
• Seafood
• Bread service

What Is Olive Oil Used for in Greek Restaurants?

Common uses include:

• Greek salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Grilled meats
• Beans
• Dips
• Marinades

What Is Olive Oil Used for in Middle Eastern Restaurants?

Olive oil may be drizzled over or incorporated into:

• Hummus
• Labneh
• Baba ganoush
• Salads
• Grilled vegetables
• Flatbreads

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Oil

What is olive oil?

Olive oil is an edible oil made by crushing olives and separating the natural oil from the fruit's water and solids.

What is olive oil made from?

Olive oil is made from olives, the fruit of the olive tree.

Is olive oil made from olive seeds?

No. Most olive oil comes primarily from the flesh of the olive fruit rather than the seed alone.

What is extra virgin olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest recognized grade of virgin olive oil and is mechanically extracted without refining.

What does extra virgin mean?

It refers to the oil meeting specific quality and sensory standards while being produced through mechanical extraction without refining.

What is the difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is unrefined and has more natural olive flavor, while products labeled simply olive oil are often blends containing refined olive oil.

What is virgin olive oil?

Virgin olive oil is mechanically extracted and unrefined but does not meet the same quality level as extra virgin olive oil.

What is light olive oil?

Light olive oil is generally refined olive oil with a lighter flavor. It does not mean the oil has significantly fewer calories.

What is olive pomace oil?

Olive pomace oil is produced from the remaining olive material after primary mechanical oil extraction and undergoes additional extraction and refining.

What does olive oil taste like?

Depending on the oil, it can taste fruity, grassy, peppery, herbal, nutty, bitter, or mild.

Why is olive oil peppery?

Fresh extra virgin olive oil can contain natural phenolic compounds that create a peppery throat sensation.

Why does olive oil taste bitter?

Mild bitterness can be a normal characteristic of fresh extra virgin olive oil, especially from greener olives.

Can you cook with extra virgin olive oil?

Yes. Extra virgin olive oil can be used for sauteing, roasting, baking, pan cooking, and many other everyday cooking methods.

Can you fry with olive oil?

Yes. Olive oil can be used for pan frying and other frying applications, although restaurants may choose different oils based on cost and heat requirements.

Can you bake with olive oil?

Yes. Olive oil is used in cakes, breads, focaccia, and other baked goods.

Can olive oil replace butter?

Sometimes, particularly in recipes where a liquid fat works well, although the texture and flavor may change.

Is olive oil healthy?

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and is widely used in Mediterranean dietary patterns, but it is calorie-dense and should still be portioned appropriately.

How many calories are in olive oil?

A tablespoon contains roughly 120 calories.

Does olive oil contain cholesterol?

No. Pure olive oil is plant-based and contains no dietary cholesterol.

Is olive oil vegan?

Yes. Pure olive oil is plant-based.

Is olive oil gluten-free?

Yes. Pure olive oil is naturally gluten-free.

Does olive oil expire?

Yes. Olive oil gradually oxidizes and can eventually become rancid.

Does olive oil get better with age?

No. Olive oil generally tastes best when relatively fresh.

How should olive oil be stored?

Store it tightly closed in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight.

Why does olive oil come in dark bottles?

Dark bottles help protect the oil from light, which can contribute to quality loss.

Should olive oil be refrigerated?

It generally does not need routine refrigeration. Cold temperatures may make it cloudy or partially solid.

Why did my olive oil turn cloudy?

Cold temperatures can cause some components of olive oil to solidify temporarily. It usually clears as the oil warms.

How can you tell if olive oil is rancid?

Rancid olive oil may smell or taste stale, waxy, flat, or unpleasant rather than fresh and fruity.

Is green olive oil better?

No. Color alone is not a reliable indicator of olive oil quality.

What is cold-pressed olive oil?

The term generally describes olive oil extracted without excessive heat in order to preserve quality, although many modern systems use centrifuges rather than traditional presses.

What is the difference between olive oil and vegetable oil?

Olive oil comes from olives and can have a distinctive flavor, while vegetable oil is usually a neutral refined oil made from one or more plant sources.

What is the difference between olive oil and canola oil?

Olive oil comes from olive fruit and may have strong flavor, while canola oil comes from seeds and is typically more neutral.

What is the difference between olive oil and avocado oil?

Both are fruit oils, but avocado oil is generally milder while extra virgin olive oil has a more distinctive fruity and peppery flavor.

What olive oil is best for salad dressing?

Extra virgin olive oil is usually preferred because its flavor remains noticeable in cold preparations.

What olive oil is best for cooking?

Extra virgin olive oil works for many everyday cooking methods, while refined olive oil can be useful when a milder flavor or different high-heat application is preferred.

Why do restaurants use olive oil?

Restaurants use olive oil for sauteing, dressings, marinades, roasting, bread service, sauces, finishing, and many other applications.

How can restaurants control olive oil portions?

Standardized recipes, pour spouts, measured containers, and Commercial Squeeze Bottles can help control olive oil usage and food cost.

What cookware can restaurants use with olive oil?

Nishi Enterprise carries Commercial Saute Pans and Commercial Fry Pans for restaurant cooking with olive oil and other cooking fats.

Final Thoughts: What Is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is a cooking oil made directly from olives.

Unlike many common kitchen oils made from seeds, it comes from a fruit.

The basic production process is:

olives + crushing + separation = olive oil.

The most important types include:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Virgin olive oil
• Refined olive oil
• Regular olive oil
• Light olive oil
• Olive pomace oil

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest recognized virgin grade and can have noticeable flavors such as:

• Fruit
• Grass
• Herbs
• Bitterness
• Pepper

Refined olive oil has a much milder flavor and may be preferred when a restaurant wants olive oil without a strong olive taste.

Olive oil can be used for much more than salads.

Common applications include:

• Sauteing
• Pan frying
• Roasting
• Baking
• Marinades
• Dressings
• Bread dipping
• Finishing dishes

For restaurants, choosing the right oil depends on the job.

A premium extra virgin olive oil may make sense for:

• Finishing pasta
• Salad dressing
• Bread service

while a more economical everyday olive oil may be better for higher-volume cooking.

Restaurants should also protect olive oil from excessive:

• Heat
• Light
• Air

because freshness is an important part of olive oil quality.

Nishi Enterprise carries Commercial Saute Pans and Commercial Fry Pans for restaurant cooking with olive oil, sauces, vegetables, meat, and seafood.

Restaurants can also use Nishi Enterprise's Commercial Squeeze Bottles for portioning olive oil, dressings, sauces, and other liquid ingredients during service.

The easiest way to understand olive oil is to think of it as fruit juice for cooking: olives are crushed, their natural oil is separated, and the final flavor can range from mild and neutral to intensely fruity, grassy, bitter, and peppery.