橄榄油以其天然、低脂的特点开始逐渐成为人们生活中的常用品，其中享誉世界的意大利橄榄油更是成为优质橄榄油的代名词。然而，橄榄油并非只产自意大利，即便是许多有着“意大利”字样的产品，也仅仅是拥有部分意大利成分；此外，产自意大利的橄榄油也会有不同的等级和类型，那么哪些橄榄油才是最优质的橄榄油呢？我们又该如何挑选？
With low fat and natural ingredients, Olive Oils, especially Italian products, have become an important part of the daily kitchen life. While the products may be labeled as Italian, it is actually a combination of oils from difference countries, including Spain, Greece, and Italy; only the blending and packaging is done in Italy; furthermore, olive oils are graded by production method, acidity content, and flavor. So how should we pick up the real Italian products with high quality?
如何辨别等级/About Ranks
鉴于篇幅原因我们此处只会提及最高级的橄榄油，最顶级的橄榄油英文为“Extra Virgin”，即“特级初榨橄榄油”（即“Virgin”），紧随其后的是其他类型的初榨橄榄油。不过，“特级初榨橄榄油”与普通的“初榨橄榄油”之间的区别极其细微——仅仅在于0.5%的酸度差距，但正如“细节决定成败”这句名言，这0.5%酸度却是最顶级橄榄油与普通优质橄榄油之间的一道鸿沟。
At the head of the olive oil class sit the extra-virgins, followed closely by the virgins. The difference between two oils and where they rank in the following hierarchy may be just half a percentage point of acidity. However, that is all it takes to distinguish between very good oils and great oils.
如何辨别产地/About Origins
由于地中海地区极其适合作为橄榄油的产地，因此除了意大利的橄榄油之外，西班牙橄榄油和希腊橄榄油也是常见的产品。那么如何区别橄榄油的不同产地呢？
Olive oil is used throughout the world and is often associated with Mediterranean countries. Besides the well-known Italian products, there are also products from Spain and Greece. So what are the differences between them?
首先需要观察的是颜色，正如其果实橄榄的颜色，西班牙橄榄油通常是金黄色，而意大利橄榄油则会略微偏向深绿色。其次是香味，西班牙橄榄油通常会带有水果或者坚果的香味，意大利橄榄油则会有青草和草本植物的香味。希腊橄榄油相对两者更好辨别，它呈绿色，并具有浓郁的香味。
One difference between Spanish olive oil and Italian olive oil is color. Spanish olive oil typically has a golden yellow color, while Italian oil tends to be darker green. Another difference between Spanish and Italian olive oils is their flavor. Spanish oil often has a fruity, nutty flavor. Italian oil, on the other hand, has more of a grassy flavor with an herbal aroma. Greek olive oil is relatively easy to identify; it tends to be green packs a strong flavor and aroma.
如何辨别产品/About Products
识别了产地，让我们来看产品，以下七个方面可以作为产品的参考：
After we know about the origins of the oils, there will be 7 Steps to pick up the genuine Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
首先是价格，“价格越高，质量越好”这句话在橄榄油的购买时具有一定道理；
Generally, when it comes to Extra Virgin Olive Oil at grocery stores, higher price means better product.
其次是产商，购买之前可以先了解下橄榄油的产商；
Secondly, it would be great if you could do your homework and look up the producers.
第三是需要阅读橄榄油的证件和标签，里面的内容自然会有一些提示；
The third step is to check the ID card carefully and read the label. There may be some instructions in them.
第四是确认产品是纯正的橄榄油，有许多橄榄油可能会混合一些例如葵花籽油或者大豆油这样的廉价产品；
Make Sure it’s Olive! That’s the fourth step. Sometimes olive oil is mixed with cheaper oils such as sunflower and soybean oil.
第五是颜色，除了上文中提到的油的颜色之外，瓶子的颜色也很重要，通常就和红酒一样，一些专家会建议购买深色瓶子的橄榄油；
There are two colors you should pay attention to: the bottle and the oil. Besides the color of oils that is mentioned, experts advised shoppers to always go for dark bottles.
第六，选择好购买的商户，来自意大利的商户通常是比较好的选择；
Choosing suppliers wisely is the sixth step. Italian ones are always more reliable.
第七，亲口尝试。如果橄榄油产自意大利，你会对它的味道爱不释手。
The final tip is pretty straightforward – whenever possible, try the oil. If the oil is 100% Italian, you would be licking your finger clean.
