Abstract: | The flavour of virgin olive oil was investigated by means of an aroma extract dilution analysis. A comparative study of four oil samples differing in the flavour, indicated that the following odorants were mainly responsible for the odour notes given in brackets: (Z)-3-hexenol, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexenal (green), ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and ethyl cyclohexanoate (fruity), (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)- and (Z)-2-nonenal (fatty) and 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol (black currant-like). |