General

Can you cook with extra virgin olive oil? What is the best extra virgin olive oil for cooking with?

One of the most widespread myths regarding extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is that you cannot cook with it, however this is false. You can and should cook with extra virgin olive oil – EVOO is ideal for all types of cooking. The levels of antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats make the oil more stable during cooking. As a result, EVOO is less likely to break down forming less harmful compounds.

EVOO is not exposed to high temperatures or chemicals during production, which helps maintain a healthy fat profile and natural antioxidants. This means not only can you cook with extra virgin olive oil, it is also a healthier cooking oil choice.

What is the shelf life for extra virgin olive oil?

A bottle of unopened good quality extra virgin olive oil will be good for 12-24 months from harvest, provided it has been stored away from light and heat (we recommend back of the pantry/cupboard). Once opened, we suggest using it within 4-6 weeks. This is because once exposed to air, the oil can start to degrade the healthy antioxidants and the flavour profile can also start to change. We recommend always buying a bottle size that suits your usage in that time, e.g. 375mL bottles might be best for a one person household versus 750mL or 3L for a larger family. Always store your opened bottle away from heat and light also (e.g. not next to the stove).

Is cloudy extra virgin olive oil natural? 

Cloudiness in olive oil may not always be observed, but is not an uncommon occurrence and is not a defect. Cloudiness can be caused by a couple of factors: 1) if the oil is particularly fresh, there will be tiny particles of moisture and flesh from the olive fruit itself suspended in the oil, or 2) this is simply the effect of cooler temperatures on the oil. Either way, this is not something to be concerned about and you should have no hesitation in consuming this oil.

Why is there hard lumps in my bottle? 

It is likely that any lumps observed is natural crystallisation of extra virgin olive oil, which may occur when the oil’s temperature drops, either due to cooler ambient room temperatures such as during winter or if refrigerated. This is of no concern at all, and you will find that the oil will clarify completely once it is brought up to a comfortable room temperature. Cold in no way affects the quality of olive oil, and it remains perfectly suitable for consumption.

Is sediment or 'floaties' in the bottom of the bottle okay?

When extra virgin olive oil is packaged while still particularly fresh, the formation of natural sediment or 'floaties' is quite normal. In terms of oil quality, this is not viewed as a defect, and can be regarded in the same way as the sediment found in some fruit juices. Sediment in olive oil can appear as a coating on the bottom of the container, or as small lumps or masses. This congregation is due to the moisture content of the sediment, and given that oil and water do not mix, you will find that these lumps will not disperse in the oil. Please note sediment does not compromise the quality of the oil, it is perfectly harmless, and poses no health risk whatsoever. It is expected when very fresh EVOO is bottled.

What is the best way to store extra virgin olive oil? 

Please store all extra virgin olive oil away from heat and light. Ideally in a dark cupboard, that remains at room temperature. Please do not store your extra virgin olive oil next to the stovetop or on a bench, this can reduce the premium quality of our product.

Why is Australian extra virgin olive oil a better choice? 

When it comes to extra virgin olive oil, fresh is best when it comes to flavour and health. With less food miles and time needed to get from producer to supermarket shelf compared to imported products, Australians have access to award winning, premium quality extra virgin olive oil made right here in our own country. We also have a strict Code of Practice, led by the Australian Olive Association (AOA), that brands like Cobram Estate adhere to. This Code of Practice was introduced to enhance the high quality of all Australian olive products and associated production processes so the public can be sure they're buying 100% extra virgin grade when buying from a company certified under the AOA Code of Practice.

What is the difference between Cobram Estate Everyday Essentials? 

Our varying flavours of Cobram Estate are achieved by using different olive varieties, there is no difference in the processing that occurs to produce our products. All our olives are picked and cold pressed within 4-6 hours to maintain maximum antioxidants and health benefits. Different flavours have different uses in the kitchen;
- Cobram Estate Light (Light green label) Flavour Intensity - a subtle blend with beautiful ripe fruit and apple notes with a distinct sweetness in the palate. The perfect choice when you want the food to tell the story! Ideal as a butter replacement in baking, cooking fish or eggs, a home-made mayonnaise or shallow frying. The main olive variety used in our Cobram Estate Light Flavour Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Arbequina.
- Cobram Estate Classic (Purple label) Flavour Intensity - this multi-purpose fruity oil is ideal for enjoying with salads, vegetables and fish, a very useful “all-rounder” in the kitchen. The main olive variety used in our Cobram Estate Classic Flavour Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Picual.
- Cobram Estate Robust (Dark green label) Flavour Intensity - this rich and appealing oil is best enjoyed when drizzled over pasta dishes or vegetables, used as a marinade, incorporated in stews or casseroles, added to tomato based sauces, frying, or simply for dipping crusty bread. The main olive variety used in our Cobram Estate Robust Flavour Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Coratina.

Do you offer tours of your groves? 

Unfortunately we do not offer tours to the public for any of our grove sites, they are working farms and we do not have capacity to offer tours. We have great videos on our YouTube channel showing the process of making our extra virgin olive oil and you can also read more about this process and the history of Cobram Estate here https://cobramestate.com.au/story and at https://cobramestate.com.au/tree-to-table

Are your groves in Cobram? 

Cobram Estate does not own an olive grove within the town of Cobram. We have over 2.4 million olive trees across three sites in Northern Victoria. These are in the towns of Boundary Bend, Boort & Wemen.

First Harvest  - variances on year by year colour varieties and availability dates etc 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the natural fresh juice of the olives and our First Harvest is a celebration of this. Consequently, some variations in appearance from season to season may occur but the oil will still display those fresh and fruity notes that characterise the exquisite First Harvest oil every year. Each year we produce limited quantites of our First Harvest, which is typically available for sale via our website from April. Please ensure you are signed up to our Cobram Estate newsletter to be notified first when it is available for sale.

How is extra virgin olive oil made?

Extra virgin olive oil is simply the freshly squeezed juice of an olive. Firstly, olives are picked by our harvest machines, known as the Colossus or the Optimus. These machines delicately shake the olives off the tree, before they travel along a conveyer belt to a nearby waiting truck. Within 4-6 hours, this truck then heads to our processing plant, where the olives are crushed into a paste. The paste is then stirred, before being spun in a centrifuge to extract the water, the oil and the pomace. The oil is transported into large storage tanks, where it is stored at optimum temperature to maintain freshness. There is no heat, chemicals or solvents used in the process to extract oil from the fruit. This is an important differentiator between refined olive oil. You can read more about how we produce Cobram Estate extra virgin olive oil via the 'Our Process' page.

Is Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil unrefined and unfiltered?

Yes, all Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil is unrefined and . We use only cold pressed, natural extra virgin olive oil with no heat or solvents used in our production methods.

What is extra virgin olive oil and how is it different from olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest grade of olive oil, and is simply the freshly squeezed juice of an olive. It is a natural product, that contains no sensory defects and contains natural antioxidants, has no trans fats and a healthy fat profile with predominantly monounsaturated fats. Anything labelled as just 'olive oil', including 'light olive oil' and 'pure olive oil', without referencing extra virgin grade, contains refined olive oil. The refining process can include degumming, neutralisation, bleaching and deodorising, which ultimately leads to a reduction in the amount of antioxidants in the oil, and also changes the fat profile.

Health

What are the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil? 

Extra virgin olive oil is a unique food with a wide range of well researched health benefits. This is not only due to the healthy fats in extra virgin olive oil, but also the unique natural antioxidants and other healthy plant compounds it contains. No other mainstream cooking oils in Australia contain this diverse range of plant compounds and antioxidants found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Not to mention cooking in Extra Virgin Olive Oil helps absorb fat soluble nutrients and makes food taste better.

What is the level of antioxidants in Cobram Estate extra virgin olive oil? 

The total antioxidant level, along with vitamin E, squalene and total biophenol content can be viewed under ‘Nutrition Information’ on each product page. All Cobram Estate extra virgin olive oil contains healthy antioxidants, with our policies on freshness and quality ensuring maximum amounts exist in the final product.

Are all Cobram Estate Infusion products low FODMAP? 

Yes, all Cobram Estate Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, including all garlic & onion infused varieties are Monash University Low FODMAP CertifiedTM per one serve. This helps those who are on the low FODMAP diet to continue enjoying garlic and onion flavours, without the symptoms.

Are all your products gluten free?

Yes, all Cobram Estate products does not contain gluten. The entire production process for our oil from the olive on a tree to the finished bottled product are done in-house by our own company on machinery that comes into contact with no common allergens, meaning there is fortunately no risk of contamination with gluten.

Are your products organic?

Our products are not organic.

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

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest grade of olive oil, and is simply the freshly squeezed juice of an olive. It is a natural product, that contains no sensory defects and contains natural antioxidants , has no trans fats and a healthy fat profile with predominantly monounsaturated fats. Anything labelled as just 'olive oil', inclding 'light olive oil' and 'pure olive oil', without referencing extra virgin grade, contains refined olive oil. The refining process can include degumming, neuralisation, and bleaching and deodorising which ultimately leads to a reduction in the amount of antioxidants in the oil, and also changes the fat profile.

Orders, Shipping and Returns

Do you ship overseas? 

At this stage, our Cobram Estate online shop only ships within Australia. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. A number of our products are available to purchase within overseas countries however, please contact us if you would like to see if we have a stockist in your preferred country.

I’m having trouble finding my favourite Cobram Estate product in my local supermarket, how can I purchase it? 

All Cobram Estate products are available to purchase via our website. Please visit the 'Shop' tab to find your favourite product.

Do you have a shop at your groves I can buy from? 

Our offices at Boundary Bend and Boort do hold a limited quantity of our Cobram Estate products that can be purchased directly. Please note, our office reception opening hours vary so we recommend contacting the relevant office before visiting to avoid disappointment.

How do I contact Cobram Estate Olives Head Office & Production Site? 

Please visit our corporate website for contact details of our Head Office & Production Facilities or our Groves Sites - https://www.cobramestateolives.com.au/contact-australia/