Volatile compounds in Australian olive oils: how different are they from other oils

As far as the authors are aware, there has not been a controlled study on the question of the uniqueness or not of Australian oils. While anecdotal evidence from international oil competitions suggests that Australian oils compare favourably to those from elsewhere, unique or regional characteristics have yet to be shown. Nevertheless, many studies from different countries have shown that climate, cultivar, horticultural practises and processing inter alia, contribute to differences in the volatile profile of an oil. This chapter surveys these factors and presents data from studies in Australia to show that for many, differences are observed. Whether or not these differences translate to a difference in sensory profile awaits future research.