The invention provides olive-derived vegetation water substantially free of monophenolic
compounds (e.g., tyrosol and its derivatives) from olive pits. According to one
aspect of the invention, the pits or seeds are removed from the olives prior to
pressing. The pitless pulp or meat is then pressed to obtain a liquid-phase mixture
including olive oil, vegetation water, and solid by-products. The vegetation water
is separated from the rest of the liquid-phase mixture and collected. The vegetation
water is useful as a source of oleuropein.