Project Leader: Amanda Bailey

Project Description: Olive samples (variety Frantoio) were submitted by South East Queensland (SEQ) growers during the 2018 growing season. They were extracted into oil in the same way as those previously provided by growers from the other pilot region of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. The chemical profile of the SEQ oils were determined and compared statistically with the equivalent oils from SA. Taste panels in QLD, SA and VIC were given preliminary training in recognising varietal and regional flavour characteristics. A key outcome of the project was that the oils from the two regions were distinguishable with a high degree of certainty based on their chemical composition (specifically their phenolic profile, fatty acid profile and amount of squalene). This outcome provides strong evidence for the concept of regional differentiation in Australian extra virgin olive oil.