Spanish MAPA awards the  "Premio Alimentos de España Mejores Aceites de Oliva Virgen Extra" prize

The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave the "Premio Alimentos de España Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils Award, 2022-2023 campaign", in the categories of "Frutado Verde Amargo", "Frutado Verde Dulce" and "Frutado Maduro". In this edition, the extra virgin olive oil that received the highest organoleptic score in the blind tasting, and therefore won the Premio Especial Alimentos de España, was the oil presented by Cooperativa Andaluza Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, from Jimena (Jaén), under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Sierra Mágina.

The oil with PDO Sierra Mágina, presented by Cooperativa Andaluza Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, from Jimena (Jaén) and distinguished with the special prize, was the winner in the frutado verde dulce category. It is a very intense fruity oil of green olives, very complex, with green descriptors of tomato, banana, apple, alloza and aromatic herbs. Sweet on the palate with a medium intensity of bitterness and spiciness. The result is a balanced oil with a wide variety of nuances.

The finalists in this category were the oils presented by Olivarera Sor Ángela de la Cruz de Estepa, Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza, from Estepa (Seville) and by San Isidro de Loja, Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza, from Loja (Granada), of the Protected Designation of Origin Estepa and Poniente de Granada, respectively.

In the frutado verde amargo category, the prize went to the organically produced oil with PDO Priego de Córdoba presented by Almazaras de la Subbética, Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza, from Carcabuey (Córdoba). This oil is defined as very intense fruity of green olives, with notes of grass, leaf, alloza, artichoke and tomato and other green fruits such as banana, apple and citrus. On the palate it is slightly sweet on the palate with medium-high intensity bitterness and spiciness. It is an almondy, complex and balanced oil.

The finalists in this category were the oils from the Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza San Vicente, from Villacarrillo (Jaén) and with Protected Geographical Indication Aceite de Jaén, and from Venchipa, Sociedad Limitada, from Ácula (Granada).

In the frutrado maduro category, the prize went to the oil presented by Dashang Investment Trading España, S.L.U., from Avinyonet del Penedès (Barcelona). It is an intense fruity olive oil with ripe notes of pear, apple, banana and almond. Notes of nuts, cinnamon, vanilla and aromatic herbs such as fennel can be perceived. It is almondy and sweet in the mouth with light bitterness and spiciness. Balanced and harmonious.

The finalists in this category were the oils presented by Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza, Olivarera Pontanense, from Puente Genil (Córdoba), which belongs to the PDO Estepa, and by Agrodelpa, S.L., from Córdoba.

The selection procedure for the winning oils, including the sensory evaluation and physico-chemical analysis, was carried out at the Agrifood Laboratory of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, located in Madrid. The sensory evaluation was carried out with the participation of the heads of the different Official Tasting Panels of the Spanish Public Administrations, directed and coordinated by the head of the Ministry's panel. Throughout the selection process, the traceability and anonymity of the 57 samples that took part in this edition of the competition was guaranteed.

These awards, which form part of the promotional actions of #AlimentosdEspaña, aim to highlight the excellence of Spanish olive oils and promote knowledge and appreciation of this foodstuff among consumers.

The order for awarding the prizes was published today in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) and is available for consultation at the following link.