A plant for producing virgin olive oil comprises at least one crushing device, configured for producing an oily paste, at least one kneading tank, configured for carrying out a gradual heating and a continuous remixing of the oily paste, at least one decanter, configured for carrying out the separation of the oily paste into an oily phase and into a solid and aqueous phase, and at least one separator, configured for carrying out a final removal of the water and solid residues from the oily phase. The plant also comprises at least one first thermal conditioner configured to instantly cool the oily paste provided by the crushing device to a first temperature value in order to reduce degradation of phenolic compounds and/or to increase the formation of volatile compounds influencing the aroma of the virgin olive oil.
