Taste & aroma · 01/08
Short answer
Not by itself. Bitterness is felt on the tongue, while pungency is mostly felt in the throat; both can be natural, positive qualities of olive oil. A stale, mouldy or vinegary smell is a different matter.
0–3 / 10
Mild
>3–6 / 10
Medium
>6–10 / 10
Intense
Try it at home
Smell the oil first. Take a small sip and assess the aroma, bitterness and throat pungency separately.
Important note
These ranges describe median intensity for each positive attribute as used by a trained sensory panel; they are not a quality score. Our personal five-point tasting notes are not converted to this scale.