Olive oil color—the natural shade of the oil—can range from bright green to golden yellow. Green olive oil is often associated with less-ripe olives and earlier harvesting, while more golden oils may come from riper fruit. Olive variety, climate, processing, and storage can also affect the final color. But color alone does not tell you whether an olive oil is fresh, high in polyphenols, or high quality. The New York Olive Oil Organization provides independent olive-oil education, while the International Olive Council establishes internationally recognized standards and methods for olive oil.
