Olive Pomace oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit after the first pressing.
Pomace oil is normally removed from the Pomace with the help of solvents and this process is also used in the production of other oil aside from Pomace oil, including Canola oil and Groundnut oil. Within the wine industry, some companies have recently perfected the art of removing grape seed oil from Grape Pomace without the use of solvents.
Although Olive Pomace oil is made from olives, no company is allowed to call it “Olive oil” as the law forbids this; any oil which has been derived from a fruit which has used solvents to aid its extraction, must be named to differentiate it from purer oils.
The International Olive Oil Council separates Olive Pomace oil into different categories. Including;
- Crude Olive Pomace Oil
Crude Olive Pomace Oil is not safe for human consumption
- Refined Olive Pomace Oil
This is the oil which is obtained by refining the crude Olive Pomace Oil
- Olive Pomace Oil
This is refined Olive Pomace Oil which has been mixed with virgin olive oil to obtain a Pomace oil suitable for human consumption.
Pomace Oil is regarded by some as below par when it comes to cooking and Purists look down upon it as too “treated” to be desirable. Many restaurants however prefer Pomace Oil above any other type, not only due to its cheaper price but also because of its high smoke point.
There are strict guidelines around Pomace oil and its production which must be adhered to; in 2001 there was a widespread recall of certain Spanish Pomace oils due to high levels of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or (PAH’s). These are potentially cancer causing environmental pollutants. Olive Pomace Oil in the UK is strictly monitored and can usually be considered safe.
Olive Pomace Oil is also quite often used in the production of soap. This is a common use for Olive Pomace Oil and many natural soap manufacturers will prefer to use non solvent extracted Pomace Oils within their soaps.