Most Olive Oils that are labelled Extra Virgin Olive Oil - first Cold press are lying. I wouldn't buy anything other than Red Island, but even that is not "cold pressed".

Today, most olive oil is produced using a centrifuge (a "horizontal decanter") that separates the oil from the olive paste in a single continuous step. This method is faster and more hygienic than traditional mat-based pressing.

The standards for EVOO outside Australia still talk about "First Cold Press" even though most do not use presses.  In Australia, the Olive Oil industry uses Australian standard AS 5264-2011, titled Olive oils and olive-pomace oils. It was most recently reconfirmed as the current industry benchmark in 2024.

This standard does not talk about Cold Pressing at all.

Instead, it stipulates the quality of the oil:
Quality Metrics for EVOO:

Free Fatty Acid (FFA) Content: Must be less than or equal to 0.8%.
Peroxide Value: Must be less than or equal to 20 meq \(O_{2}\)/kg.
Sensory Standards: Must have a median of defects equal to 0 and a median of fruitiness greater than 0.

It also lists the labelling requirements including origins and time of harvest.

Traditional pressing on jute or hemp mats often led to fermentation and hygiene issues, which negatively impacted the oil's flavor. Modern "cold extraction" (kept below 27°C) preserves the delicate antioxidants and flavour profiles more effectively.

Recent reports from early 2026 suggest that up to 70% of extra virgin olive oils on the broader market may be rancid or otherwise defective due to poor harvesting practices or age. Even with Australian produced EVOO sold in Australia, about 20% are rancid.

(Historical supermarket quality surveys conducted by the Australian Olive Association (AOA) and supported by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).)

Aldi Olive Tree which is badged Cobram Estate, or the CE brand

John_Taverner wrote Yesterday at 4:03pm:


It's very good.

That's my second choice if Red Island isn't available, or is too expensive at the time.

I buy whatever olive oil is on sale