We are from Toronto, but we lived to Spain with our three kids for two years (2009-2011) to check out another culture and learn Spanish. While living in Barcelona, we had many life altering experiences including the tasting of fresh live olive oil for the first time. Soon, we were putting olive oil on everything we ate and our daily snack became warm toast covered in olive oil. The Spanish people consume 12 litres of olive oil per person per year compared to North Americans who consume less than 1 litre.
So I researched the regions and varietals throughout Spain and found that there are 250 different varieties of olives in Spain and Spain produces more that half the world's production. As well, I learned that there is a lot of fraud in the industry. Most of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil sold in supermarkets across North America is not actually extra virgin - it is lower quality, or cut with something else. I was also surprised to learn that Spanish olive oils win about the same number of awards in the international tasting competitions as the Italian olive oils.
That is when I decided to import the highest quality fresh evoo for my friends in Canada upon our return. After travelling around the country talking to olive oil makers, I found a small cooperativa in the famous wine region of the Priorat. The olive oil was so delicious that, we weren't surprized when it won the top award in the UK (Great Taste Awards 3 star Gold) in 2011. (Great Taste Awards didn't even give out a 3 star gold in 2010).