What's a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and why is it so important when choosing a quality olive oil?

You might have seen the letters "PDO" on certain food products such as olive oils, cheeses, meats, etc but may not have paid much attention to it.  PDO stands for Protected Designation of Origin and relates to foods that are grown and processed in the same geographic region using recognized know-how and therefore  acquire unique properties from that particular area of origin.  Products with a PDO classification are considered to be 100% authentic and producers can therefore demand more for their product. 

Next time you go shopping for an extra virgin olive oil, I strongly urge you to consider buying a PDO olive oil.  Although slightly more expensive than other choices on the market, you can be sure you are not purchasing an inferior product or anything less than what is on the label.  Trust me when I say you WILL taste the difference!