I bet you’ve probably heard the term “early harvest” tossed around on premium EVOO bottles.
But what does it actually mean—and why does it matter for flavor?
What Is Early Harvest?
Early harvest oils come from olives picked before full ripeness—usually while they’re still green or purple.
These oils are:
- Higher in polyphenols
- More bitter, peppery, and bold
- Often greener in color and taste
Late harvest oils?
They tend to be smoother, milder, and fruitier, but with lower antioxidant content.
Taste the Difference
- Early harvest: Sharp, grassy, intense.
- Late harvest: Soft, buttery, mellow.
Neither is “wrong”—but for health and punchy flavor, early harvest usually wins.
How to Spot It
- Look for terms like “early harvest” or “green harvest” on the label.
- Ask your producer about harvest timing.
- Check the harvest date—early harvest oils often come out in fall or early winter.
Your Turn
Do you prefer that bold, grassy kick of early harvest—or the buttery finish of late?
Let’s taste and talk
Luca
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early-harvest, olive-oil-tasting, real-evoo, harvest-time, flavor-profile, polyphenols, tasting-and-quality