A new app called iOlive was launched last week at the national exhibition of agritourism and multifunctional agriculture, which aims to change the way olive oils are assessed.
The app was conceptualized and developed by Pietro Barachini and Dario Bronchi. Barachini, an experienced agronomist who manages a farm that sells olive trees in Tuscany and recently became a professional olive oil taster, founded the startup with Bronchi, a computer engineer.
The pair with their own complimentary skills, conceived the idea of an app which would digitize the IOC profile sheet, which is used to certify extra virgin olive oil, and developed an app that allows for more accuracy, security and sustainability of olive oil taste testing.
We have digitized the IOC profile sheet for the assessment of olive oil, which is used in 44 countries to certify extra virginity. Using our digitized platform, tasters can put their own fingerprints on each olive oil profile, ensuring transparency and safety. – Pietro Barachini
You may be wondering, how does this app work and what exactly are the benefits?
According to Baranchini, “iOlive offers the possibility to digitize and keep safe the sensory analysis, which is still the most significant test.”
After the tasting, the taster presses a button on a tablet to send the evaluation that is irreversible, while data are stored in real time on multiple servers to ensure their protection.
“This certification process of olive oil can be useful both for the consumer, to have a guarantee of authenticity of product, and for producers to provide absolutely clear data about their products. Moreover, control bodies can easily contrast possible frauds or counterfeiting with a drastic reduction of management costs,” adds Baranchini.
The result of the project is an electronic guide of extra virgin olive oils. 150 farmers from Tuscany have already joined the project, which is based on a QR code tracking system.
Each EVOO is given a code and contains information about the EVOO profile and characteristics, this code is used by tasters in the assessment and is also available to consumers.
It is essential for small producers that we use an objective and transparent method to show the real profile of their EVOO and make the operations of supply chain clear to consumers, which deserve quality at the right price.- Barachini
Not only does the iOlive app assist in ensuring quality control but it also has a sustainable approach.
During the recent harvest months in Italy about 40 tasting centers handle about 300 samples, and for each sample at least 8 assessment sheets are required. The iOlive tool solves the practical issues due to the amount of paper needed.
The past few years have seen a huge progression in the digitizing of almost every facet of business and social, this app seems like the right move in terms of progression in the olive oil industry.
Sources: http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-basics/taste-panel-app-digitizes-sensory-analyses/49815
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