Madrid hosts inaugural Virgin Olive Oil Taster Competition

The Community of Madrid is holding its first Virgin Olive Oil Taster Competition at the El Encín experimental farm in Alcalá de Henares. Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Interior, the event aims to promote excellence, training, and recognition within the profession while attracting new talent to the field.

The competition features two distinct categories: a professional track for 25 accredited experts and an amateur track for 30 enthusiasts. Participants undergo sensory testing to identify positive and negative attributes of olive oil and recognize specific olive varieties.

Cash prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each category. Professional winners receive 8,000, 4,000, and 2,000 euros, respectively, while amateur prizes are set at 500, 300, and 200 euros. The judging panel includes specialists from the Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural, and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), the Official Panel of Virgin Olive Oil Tasters of the Community of Madrid, and representatives from the Madrid Olive Oil Protected Designation of Origin (DOP).