Buying high-quality extra virgin olive oil can be a bit of a challenge. With so many options and labels on the market, it’s easy to feel lost. But with a few simple tips, you can ensure you’re bringing home the freshest and finest oil. Here’s how:
1. Choose Dark, Glass Bottles Only
High-quality extra virgin olive oil should always come in dark glass bottles. The dark color protects the oil from light exposure, which can degrade its quality. Glass is the ideal material, as it keeps the oil pure and free from chemicals that can leach out of plastic. Avoid plastic bottles at all costs!
2. Check the Harvest Date, Not Just the Bottling Date
Freshness is key! Look for the harvest date on the bottle, which should ideally be from the previous year. Bottling dates don’t tell the whole story—harvest dates do. If the bottle doesn’t show a harvest date, put it down and keep looking. A high-quality oil producer knows the importance of freshness and will display this information.
3. Look for a Single Country of Origin
High quality extra virgin olive oil should come from a single country, whether that’s Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Italy, France, or another olive-growing region. Blends from multiple countries are often lower-quality oils, mixed to meet production demands rather than to deliver a premium taste. For the best experience, stick to single-origin oils that capture the essence of one region’s olives.
4. Consider the Price
Quality comes at a cost, and a good extra virgin olive oil won’t be cheap. A 16oz bottle priced around $5 is unlikely to have met quality standards during production. Real extra virgin olive oil requires careful, labor-intensive processing, which will be reflected in the price. Aim for a bottle that feels like an investment—it’s worth it.
By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the best extra virgin olive oil every time.
What Qualifies Olive Oil as Extra Virgin? Read our article
