No, olive oil is not a seed oil.
Understanding Olive Oil's Origin
Olive oil is produced by pressing olives, the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea). While some olive oil production methods may not completely remove seeds before pressing, the vast majority of the oil comes from the fruit itself, not the seeds. Therefore, it's classified as a vegetable oil.
Distinguishing Seed Oils from Other Oils
Seed oils are extracted from the seeds of various plants, such as sunflower seeds (sunflower oil), flax seeds (flaxseed oil), and sesame seeds (sesame oil). These oils are characterized by their high concentration of fatty acids derived specifically from the seeds. Olive oil, conversely, primarily derives its oil content from the fleshy part of the olive fruit, making it distinct from seed oils.
- Seed Oils: Extracted from plant seeds. Examples include sunflower oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.
- Fruit Oils: Extracted from the fleshy part of fruits. Olive oil is a prime example.
The provided reference explicitly states: *"Olive oil is not considered to be a seed oil*. It is considered a vegetable oil because it is made by pressing whole olives. And while some versions of olive oils may not remove seeds before pressing, it is still a higher ratio of olive to pit in the finished product." This reinforces the classification of olive oil as a vegetable oil, not a seed oil.
