On June 5th, the awards ceremony for the “Selection of DOP and IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Tuscany” was held via live stream. A total of 44 extra virgin olive oils were chosen to represent Tuscany in Italy and around the world. These oils were selected from 58 entries submitted to the traditional competition promoted by the Tuscany Region, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Florence, its Special Company Promo Firenze, and the Fondazione Sistema Toscana.
This year’s “Regional Selection” was particularly challenging due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the entire agri-food sector. The usual ceremony for presenting certificates to the producers of the selected oils was absent. However, the publication of the catalog, showcasing both the 44 selected oils and 14 special mentions in the “Origin,” “Organic,” “Monocultivar,” and “Biofenols” categories, took place at the Florence headquarters of Analytical Agrifood. Our specialists had the pleasure of hosting Luciano Zoppi, the Tuscany Region’s Head of Agricultural, Plant, and Livestock Production Promotion, who helped present the catalogs created in collaboration with the region.
The catalog, available in both Italian and English, is based on analyses conducted by our laboratory, the official testing partner for the selection. It includes detailed descriptions of each oil, serving as a valuable tool for promoting the producers and spreading awareness of the region’s excellent oils both domestically and internationally.
Special attention was given to biofenols during the analysis process. These compounds, typically found in high-quality extra virgin olive oils, enhance the sensory properties and nutritional benefits of the oil due to their potent natural antioxidant properties.
Once again this year, Analytical’s agro-food specialists carried out the biofenol quantification analysis, with samples anonymized and a sensory examination conducted for the tasting commission. “Tuscan oils have the highest biofenol content in the world. Despite their diversity, we ensured a comprehensive and precise profiling because we understand how these compounds can affect product claims and labeling, helping to identify truly authentic quality oils,” said Cristian Marinelli, Agrifood Quality Manager at Analytical, in a report summarizing the catalog presentation.
This initiative by the Tuscany Region aims to highlight quality and health benefits, as well as the connection to the territory, with authentic extra virgin olive oil serving as a promotional vehicle for the agri-food sector. Analytical Group is proud to support this mission, reinforcing our daily commitment to excellence.
