A Guide to Buying a High-Quality Extra Virgin
It’s no secret that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the best oil you can have in your kitchen. Although choosing one from a shelf of bottles at wildly different price points can be a challenge. To make your decision a little easier, we’ve put together a guide on how to buy high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Only buy ‘extra virgin’ olive oil
You should always opt for extra virgin olive oil over any other type of olive oil. Regular olive oils are often refined and processed, which are not as healthy for you. They also do not have a high polyphenols content like extra virgin olive oil does, which means you won’t be getting the most from your oil. Extra virgin olive oil is extracted under 27 degrees Celsius and have an acidity index below 0.8% .
Look Up for Anti Refilling Tap
Prevents contamination: An anti-refilling tap helps to prevent the contamination of olive oil as it can only be dispensed, and not refilled. This reduces the risk of bacteria or other impurities entering the oil.
Ensures freshness: By preventing refilling, the tap helps to ensure the freshness and quality of the olive oil. This is important for maintaining the flavor and nutritional value of the oil.
Tamper-proof: The anti-refilling design of the tap helps to prevent tampering or adulteration of the olive oil. This gives consumers peace of mind knowing that they are using a safe and authentic product.
Avoid clear bottles
The three enemies of olive oil are light, heat, and air, so it’s best to avoid anything in a clear glass bottle. Olive oil should be stored in a cool dark place to ensure the oil inside does not lose most of its flavour and aroma. Look for extra virgin olive oil packaged in dark glass bottles or opaque tin.
Avoid Plastic bottles
When extra virgin olive oil is stored in plastic bottles that contain these harmful chemicals, there is a risk of these chemicals leaching into the oil and contaminating it. This can pose health risks to consumers, especially if the oil is consumed regularly over a long period of time. It is recommended to store olive oil in glass or stainless steel containers to avoid these potential risks.
Cardiovascular diseases: Chemicals leaching from plastic bottles can also contribute to cardiovascular diseases by affecting blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other risk factors.
Bisphenol A (BPA): BPA is a harmful chemical often found in plastic bottles and can leach into the food or liquid stored in them, especially when exposed to heat or acidic foods like olive oil.
Phthalates: Phthalates are another group of harmful chemicals found in some plastic bottles, and can also leach into the food or liquid stored in them, particularly when the bottles are exposed to heat.
Antimony: Antimony is a toxic metalloid that can be found in some plastic bottles and can potentially leach into the food or liquid stored in them.
Consider the price
When buying olive oil, the price can reflect the quality. You shouldn’t expect to buy the most expensive oil and have it be the best. However, a high-quality extra virgin olive oil will start at around $30 a half litre. The price is determined by multiple factors such as vintage and yield production, labour which is very high for high quality products, plant and olive grove maintenance, bottling, labelling and import eventually.
Give it a smell
Sensory analysis can be beneficial when trying to identify a quality olive oil. This can be done by placing your hand over the top of the cup and swirling the oil around. Once the oil has warmed, remove your hand, and smell the oil. Depending on the variety of olive, high-quality EVOO will be green, bright, lively, and fruity. If the oil has gone off, you will smell the rancid and mouldiness.
Give it a taste
Continuing with the sensory analysis of EVOO, the next step is to smell it. Extra virgin olive oil should be tasted on its own (no bread or crackers) in a small glass. The oil should taste like fresh olives- grassy, green, and fruity. It should also have a slight bitterness and pungency, which tells you the EVOO is rich in polyphenols and therefore a high quality one. Sweetness is most likely a fault in tasting extra virgin olive oil as it defines overriped (or even rotten) olives have been used during the process.
Use your eyes
Contrary to popular belief, the colour of olive oil has nothing to do with the quality. High-quality extra virgin olive oil colours can range from bright green to straw yellow. Despite this, you should still look at the consistency of the oil to help determine the quality. If you can see sediment or particles in the oil, it means it has not been filtered. Unfiltered EVOO is the best you can find only if consumed within 3 weeks from the making. If the oil is imported or made over a month ago, then stay away from unfiltered olive oil as it contains particles that will turn the product off.
Does oil have an expiration date?
When buying extra virgin olive oil, you should carefully check the information on the label. The date of expiration should be listed on the label. It should be consumed within 18 months from bottling; however, high-quality extra virgin olive oil can also be consumed after this period. Some labels will also include when the oil was made and packaged. If you want to buy an extra virgin oil with the guarantee that it is fresh, you should refer to this date.
TIP Normally the lot is the date when it was bottled…
Careful...Read the labels
Phrases such as \”packaged in Italy\” or \”bottled in Spain\” can be misleading. They do not mean that the oil was produced in Italy or that it was made with Italian olives. Italy and Spain produce extra virgin olive oil of great value and are the top consumer of olive oil worldwide. Much of the olive oil you will find will be from olives harvested in other parts of the EU or extra EU, such as Spain and Greece or Tunisia and Morocco. Paying attention to the label is essential when buying olive oil. The only way to ensure that you find the best olive oil is if the label states, \”Extra virgin olive oil obtained in Italy/Spain from olives harvested in Italy/Spain”.
Conclusion
Now you should be fully equipped with all the knowledge you need to buy high-quality extra virgin olive oil. If you don’t have time to follow all these tips yourself, you can find all of the best extra virgin olive oils we stock here.