California is the centre of high-quality New World olive oil. Olives arrived with the Spanish missions (the heritage Mission variety), but the modern industry is built on super-high-density plantings of Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki, plus Tuscan varieties for premium oils. California growers adopted some of the strictest grade and freshness standards in the world (the COOC seal), and the short distance from grove to shelf means unusually fresh oil for North American buyers.