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International olive oil expert and judge, and member of the Scientific Society – Alexandria University.
During a regular visit to one of the major malls, I stopped at the olive oil section to check on new products. Suddenly, an intense discussion erupted between a customer and the branch manager amid a crowd of shoppers. The customer accused the store of offering “adulterated” oil after noticing a “white cloud” inside some containers and frozen crystals at the bottom of others, while the manager confirmed that all oils were of reliable and reliable origin. I intervened out of curiosity and knowledge, and it turned out that what the customer saw was a completely natural phenomenon in olive oil.
1. White cloud (natural candles): This cloud is formed due to the presence of natural waxy compounds (Waxes) that cover the skin of the olive fruit to protect it. Some of it is transferred to the oil during the press. These candles do not negatively affect the safety of the oil. Rather, they are proof that the oil was squeezed from the fruit and did not undergo harsh chemical refining processes that remove these natural ingredients (Winterization).
2. Frozen crystals: It results from the crystallization of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic), which make up 8‑25% of total fatty acids (usually 11‑14%). As the temperature drops, these acids and waxes begin to crystallize, resulting in crystals.
When the temperature drops to 5‑7 °C, these acids and waxes begin to crystallize and form a white cloud; so when the containers were placed directly under the air outlet, it cooled them excessively. When removed from the cooling source and left at room temperature, the crystals melt, the white cloud disappears, and the oil returns to its clear state.
No The presence of candles in extra virgin or extra virgin olive oil indicates that it is natural and unrefined. The oil can be slightly warmed to melt the crystals and restore transparency.
It is a refined oil extracted from the remains of the olive press. It usually has a higher percentage of waxes, and when exposed to cold, more visible deposits and crystals appear, reflecting its lower quality compared to virgin oils.
The appearance of a white cloud or crystals in olive oil does not mean fraud or corruption; it is proof of the naturalness and high quality of the product, especially in virgin and extra virgin oils. When exposed to low temperatures, these phenomena can occur, and they simply go away when the oil is brought back to room temperature or slightly warmed up.
Although these phenomena are normal, they are not a measure to judge whether an oil is natural or adulterated, as we have indicated in an article Testing the refrigerator to detect adulteration with olive oil.
This clarification aims to enhance consumers' confidence and enable them to distinguish between natural phenomena and real signs of fraud.
