Extra Virginity - The Extraordinary and Scandalous World of Olive Oil Tom Mueller English version

Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil — Tom Mueller English version

The book Extra Virginity. The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil is a unique reportage on one of the world's most noble products — olive oil. The author, Tom Mueller, combines his passion for history and science with the inquisitiveness of an investigative journalist, revealing the truth about the modern olive oil industry: its successes, abuses and the struggle for authenticity.

What is the book about?

Tom Mueller guides the reader through thousands of years of olive oil history – from ancient olive groves and family-run mills to modern laboratories and global corporations. On the one hand, we meet small, honest producers who are passionate about the quality of every drop, and on the other, we see the world of large corporations, where quantity often wins over quality. The author describes the background to the fraud, scandals and manipulation that have accompanied the olive oil market for years.

Why is it worth reading?

• Conscious choices: The book teaches you how to recognise real extra virgin olive oil and what to look for when buying it.
• Facts and evidence: Mueller presents specific examples of abuse, laboratory analyses and quality control.
• People with passion: We meet farmers, inspectors and activists who are fighting for a fair market and respect for nature.
• History and culture: The book shows how olive oil has become a symbol of health, wealth and Mediterranean civilisation.

The author's key message

As Tom Mueller emphasises, real change begins with consumer education. If buyers start paying attention to quality, freshness and origin, the market will clean itself up. The author warns against the mass production of cheap, low-quality oil and at the same time shows that there are still producers who create something unique – oil with a deep aroma, complex flavour and proven health benefits.

What will you find inside?

• a description of the pressing processes and factors affecting the quality of olive oil,
• an analysis of the market and cases of oil adulteration,
• tips on how to distinguish real extra virgin olive oil from counterfeits,
• interviews with experts, producers and scientists,
• the history of oil as an element of Mediterranean culture, religion and cuisine.

Who is this book for?

For everyone who loves real olive oil – gourmets, chefs, importers, owners of premium product shops, as well as people who want to better understand how a product symbolising health and nature is made. It is also an excellent read for gastronomy enthusiasts, dieticians and lovers of Mediterranean cuisine.

Publishing information

• Original title: Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil
• Author: Tom Mueller
• Genre: non-fiction, investigative reportage, food history
• Language of publication: English (original language version)
• Year of publication: 2011

Why is this book important?

Extra Virginity is a book that changed the way the world looks at olive oil. It inspired many movements promoting authenticity and quality, as well as the creation of laboratories, certificates and control systems that today protect honest producers. It is a book that broadens horizons – both in terms of taste and ethics.

Please note: the book is available in its original English version. The cover, edition and format may vary depending on the distributor.

Author's website

Visit Tom Mueller's official website