# Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 of 11 July 1991 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis, Division 3.3: Optional terminology for labelling purposes

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Upon request, the panel leader may certify that the oils which have been assessed comply with the definitions and ranges corresponding solely to the following terms according to the intensity and perception of the attributes.
Positive attributes (fruity, bitter and pungent): According to the intensity of perception:
Robust , when the median of the attribute is more than 6,0;
Medium , when the median of the attribute is more than 3,0 and less or equal to 6,0;
Delicate , when the median of the attribute is less or equal to 3,0.
Fruitiness
Set of olfactory sensations characteristic of the oil which depends on the variety of olive and comes from sound, fresh olives in which neither green nor ripe fruitiness predominates. It is perceived directly and/or through the back of the nose.
Green fruitiness
Set of olfactory sensations characteristic of the oil which is reminiscent of green fruit, depends on the variety of olive and comes from green, sound, fresh olives. It is perceived directly and/or through the back of the nose.
Ripe fruitiness
Set of olfactory sensations characteristic of the oil which is reminiscent of ripe fruit, depends on the variety of olive and comes from sound, fresh olives. It is perceived directly and/or through the back of the nose.
Well balanced
Oil which does not display a lack of balance, by which is meant the olfactory-gustatory and tactile sensation where the median of the bitter attribute and the median of the pungent attribute are not more than 2,0 points above the median of the fruitiness.
Mild oil
Oil for which the median of the bitter and pungent attributes is 2,0 or less.
List of terms according to the intensity of perception:
Terms subject to production of an organoleptic test certificate
Median of the attribute
Fruitiness
—
Ripe fruitiness
—
Green fruitiness
—
Delicate fruitiness
≤ 3,0
Medium fruitiness
3,0 < Me ≤ 6,0
Robust fruitiness
> 6,0
Delicate ripe fruitiness
≤ 3,0
Medium ripe fruitiness
3,0 < Me ≤ 6,0
Robust ripe fruitiness
> 6,0
Delicate green fruitiness
≤ 3,0
Medium green fruitiness
3,0 < Me ≤ 6,0
Robust green fruitiness
> 6,0
Delicate bitterness
≤ 3,0
Medium bitterness
3,0 < Me ≤ 6,0
Robust bitterness
> 6,0
Delicate pungency
≤ 3,0
Medium pungency
3,0 < Me ≤ 6,0
Robust pungency
> 6,0
Well balanced oil
The median of the bitter attribute and the median of the pungent attribute are not more than 2,0 points above the median of the fruitiness.
Mild oil
The median of the bitter attribute and the median of the pungent attribute are 2,0 or less.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/1991/2568/annex/XII/division/3/division/3.3 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-1991-2568/annex-XII/division-3/division-3.3
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.