The most common mixer is a horizontal trough with spiral mixing blades 4. Sale of future machines currently outlawed in European Union due to difficulty with cleaning such large surface areas. Separating the Oil From the Water Centrifuge Like a cream separator in a dairy, the liquid is spun which separates the heavier water from the oil. Processing the Olive Oil Refining Steam, alkali purpose is to reduce acidity and improve flavor bleaching diatomaceous earth's, activated carbon or synthetic silicas. Olive Oil can be stored in containers as mundane as plastic or as indestructible as stainless steel.
Oil deteriorates through the action of lipase and other enzymes in the oil and the action of oxygen.
Oxidation or rancidity speeds up with light and heat exposure. Oil from green olives have higher levels of anti-oxidants and some varieties naturally have higher levels than others. Blending an oil high in antioxidants with a more bland oil can greatly extend its shelf life. This can happen in 1 to 3 years depending on oil storage conditions and variety. Metallic drums lined with epoxy resins resist light and impart little flavor however resin coatings can peel after several years, exposing metal surfaces which impart off odors and flavors.