Frequently Asked Questions

General

Are you a franchise?
No, Manassas Olive Oil Company is independently operated and locally owned by the Thomson Family.
Where do I find parking for your storefront?
Parking can be found in the Old Town Plaza Parking lot located across the street on Church Street.
How much do you charge for shipping?
Shipping is flat $9.95 for the continental USA.
What is the return policy?
If you receive something other than what you ordered, or products are damaged or defective, please contact us ASAP and we will rectify our mistake. If for some reason we cannot solve the problem, we will issue a full refund. Please contact us for return authorization.
How do I know when my order was shipped or when I can expect to receive it?
Once product is ready to ship, you will receive an email with shipping information.

Olive Oil

Do you grow, harvest, and press the olives yourselves?
No, Manassas Olive Oil Company works with growers around the world to get the finest olive oil. Suppliers meet our strict quality and sustainability criteria to be sold on our shelves.
What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil which has the most health benefits. To produce extra virgin olive oil, ripe olives are crushed without heat (“cold press”) or chemicals to extract the oil. After the oil is extracted, its acidity is measured. To be classified as extra virgin olive oil, must contain high levels of antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, and have no taste defects.
I heard I shouldn't use olive oil for cooking because it has a low smoke point or goes bad at high temperatures.
This is a very common misconception. Low smoke point in olive oil comes from a high level of “free fatty acids,” which indicate poor quality oil. The oils at Manassas Olive Oil Company are made with less than 0.3% of this fat, and will only begin to smoke around 400F.When heated, many oils like vegetable and soybean oil can form various harmful compounds including peroxides and aldehydes, which can pose health risks. Studies have shown that high quality olive oil is stable at high temperatures! This is really the only oil you should cook with!
How do I know if I’m getting high quality olive oil?
The single most useful piece of information for the consumer to determine is the harvest date of an olive oil. Olive oil is highly perishable, and is always healthier and more flavorful when consumed close to its crush date. As an oil ages, it loses the health and flavor properties that make it such an enjoyable product.
How Should EVOO be Stored?
Light, oxygen, and heat are the main enemies of EVOO. The best storage environment for EVOO is in a dark bottle kept in a cool, dry place. After opening, use the cork supplied with your bottle, or a bottle stopper with a lid, to keep the oil fresh and free from any air exposure.

Balsamic Vinegar

What is balsamic vinegar?
True balsamic vinegar is made from crushing of sweet Trebbiano grapes and has to originate in the Modena region of Italy. The crushed grapes are cooked down and aged in wooden barrels, which gives the balsamic its color. Most balsamic in mass market stores use ingredients such as caramel color, added sugar, and guar gum to simulate an authentic balsamic. Manassas Olive Oil Company’s balsamic vinegar are made using the traditional method, and have no artificial ingredients or added sweeteners.
Is there white balsamic vinegar?
Yes! White balsamic vinegar is made from grape must with white wine vinegar and is cooked at a low temperature to avoid any darkening. White balsamic has more of a clean aftertaste.
What are the health benefits of balsamic vinegar?
Most of our balsamic vinegar has between 3 grams of sugar per tablespoon - but packs a lot of flavor for a small serving. This makes it ideal for both cutting calories out of a diet without sacrificing flavor. Its low sugar content is also good for people with diabetes!