We use canola oil if we want a neutral flavor. I use olive for many dishes that require oil if it will blend with the other flavors because I believe it is relatively good for you. I don't know about the olive trees in Italy, but I think that most of the olive oil we get here is a mix from several southern Mediterranean countries. The label on our current bottle states it contains virgin olive oils from Spain, Tunisia, Argentina. I don't use gourmet olive oil and it may be possible to buy single country oil but this suits me. If I remember correctly from my nursing school nutrition classes, humans need at least a small amount of oil to stay healthy. Certain vitamins are fat soluble.