Los Cantos olive oil comes from our family’s small olive grove
Los Cantos extra virgin olive oil comes from our family’s small olive grove in Andalusia, near El Gastor. Our oil is not bought in or blended from different sources – it is made from olives harvested from our own trees. The grove is home to several local olive varieties: Arolita, Manzanilla Verdial, Lechín, Hojiblanca, Bedrial and Acebuche.
Our olive grove lies in a mountainous area, around 500 metres above sea level. Clay soil, sunshine, winds and the difference between day and night temperatures create demanding growing conditions for the olive trees. These conditions help give mountain olive oil its fresh and lively character.
We care for our land according to sustainable farming principles: we allow natural vegetation to grow and use the pruned branches as mulch, returning organic matter to the soil.
Early harvest and a small olive mill
We harvest the olives early, in October, while the fruit is still green and the oil contains more freshness, character and natural compounds. Early-harvest oil gives a smaller yield, but the result is a brighter-tasting, higher-quality extra virgin olive oil.
We take the olives to the mill on the same day they are harvested. The oil is pressed at a low temperature, below 27 °C, to retain the freshness, scent and natural character of the olives.
Los Cantos oil is made in a small olive mill near Zahara de la Sierra, Almazara El Manzanillo.
Our oil is unfiltered
Los Cantos olive oil is unfiltered. This means that after pressing, the microscopic particles of olive pulp are not mechanically removed from the oil. We do this to preserve as much as possible of the natural character of freshly pressed olive oil.
Unfiltered oil is not overly “polished”. It carries more of the olive fruit’s natural flavour, has a fuller texture and a fresh scent.
Because the oil is unfiltered, a little sediment may form at the bottom of the canister over time. This is completely natural and does not mean the oil has spoiled. You can gently shake the canister before use if you wish. To keep the oil at its best, store it in a cool, dark place and close the canister properly after use.
What does 703 mg/kg of polyphenols mean?
Polyphenols are natural plant compounds found in olives and are especially valued in high-quality extra virgin olive oil. They give the oil its characteristic freshness, gentle bitterness and peppery finish.
This season, Los Cantos olive oil has a polyphenol level of 703 mg/kg, which is a very high result. This is linked to early harvesting, the mountainous location of our grove, demanding growing conditions and careful production.
Polyphenols are not only about taste. They are also valued for their antioxidant properties. In the European Union, there is an authorised health claim for olive oil polyphenols: olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20 g of olive oil, provided the oil meets the conditions for using this claim.
Put simply, the gentle bitterness and peppery finish of a high-quality early-harvest olive oil are not accidental. They are often linked to the very natural compounds for which good extra virgin olive oil is valued – both for its taste and for its valuable composition.
Polyphenol levels can be understood approximately as follows:
- below 150 mg/kg – low polyphenol content; the oil is usually milder in taste and less intense;
- 150–250 mg/kg – a good level for high-quality extra virgin olive oil;
- over 250 mg/kg – high polyphenol content; the oil is usually fresher, greener and more characterful;
- 400–500 mg/kg – a very high level, often found in high-quality early-harvest oils;
- over 500 mg/kg – exceptionally high polyphenol content.
Los Cantos’ result of 703 mg/kg falls into this final category.
How does Los Cantos oil taste and smell?
Los Cantos olive oil has a fresh, green scent and a lively taste. You will notice gentle bitterness and a peppery finish, both of which are signs of a high-quality early-harvest extra virgin olive oil.
If you are used to milder supermarket olive oils, Los Cantos oil may at first seem more intense. This is natural. Freshness, gentle bitterness and a peppery finish are not flaws – they are signs of the oil’s character and its polyphenol content. This lively taste is exactly what makes Los Cantos oil such a good companion to simple food.
How to use Los Cantos olive oil?
Los Cantos oil fits beautifully into everyday family cooking. Use it in salads, dressings, vegetables, pasta, oven-baked dishes, fish, meat, hummus, beans and lentils, porridge, or simply with fresh bread.
The oil is also suitable for everyday home cooking at low and medium temperatures. Extra virgin olive oil usually has a smoke point of around 190–210 °C. Its fresh flavour comes through best when you also add it at the end – just before serving.
Good olive oil does not have to be saved only for special occasions. It can be a small everyday way to make simple food feel more special and full of flavour.
Is 3 litres too much?
If you use olive oil every day, 3 litres is not a large amount for a family. It is especially suitable for a household where people cook often and use olive oil in both cold and warm dishes.
The 3L set consists of three 1L metal cans. This makes it practical to use: you can open one can at a time and keep the remaining oil protected from light.
Why a metal can?
A metal can is an excellent packaging choice for olive oil because it protects the oil from light. Light is one of the factors that can gradually affect the taste, scent and quality of olive oil.
Food-grade metal can have an inner protective coating, so the oil does not come into direct contact with the metal. This makes them well suited for storing extra virgin olive oil and helps preserve the oil’s quality until use.
Metal packaging is also practical and durable: it does not break easily, is safe for transport and protects the oil better than clear glass.
The dimensions of one 1L metal can are: width 70 mm, length 98 mm, height 185 mm. A filled can weighs approximately 1 kg.
How to store the oil?
Olive oil keeps best in a cool, dark cupboard, at around 14–18 °C, away from the stove, oven and direct sunlight. After opening, close the can properly.
For unfiltered oil, it is especially important to avoid excessive heat and light. This helps preserve the oil’s fresh scent, lively taste and quality.
The oil is best before 24 months from harvest, provided it is stored properly – in a cool, dark place and protected from heat.
For everyday use, you can pour a small amount of oil into a separate bottle and keep the rest in the can, protected from light. This is why we created the Los Cantos ceramic refill bottle – so that good olive oil is always conveniently at hand in the kitchen, while the larger amount remains better protected.
The price does not include transport costs. VAT is not added, as the company is not VAT-registered.
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