3 tips for recognizing good quality olive oil
It’s easy to get lost in the supermarket among the many different olive oils, because what should you look for? We’ll give you a little help in choosing an olive oil with purpose!
The date
Just because olive oil was extra-virgin when it was bottled doesn’t mean it still is after a long time. Even the best olive oils weaken after a certain amount of time, which is why it’s recommended in stores to look at the bottling date (unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find). Ideally, you should use your olive oil for up to 2 years after bottling!
The scent
Pour some olive oil into a clean glass and warm the glass with your hand. Slowly slide the olive oil back and forth, covering the top of the glass with your hand. Raise your hand slightly and bring your nose to the olive oil. Breathe slowly and long. Do you smell something? If you smell virtually nothing, you probably have refined oil that has never been extra virgin. If you smell a pleasant odor that reminds you of green or ripe olives, you can go into the kitchen with confidence. If you smell a musty odor reminiscent of rotten fruit or dirty socks, your olive oil is past its date and it’s best not to use it.
The taste
Recognizing good olive oil is not that easy, but there are some indicators you can use. High quality olive oil is often a bit bitter and has a sharp taste that you feel tingling at the back of your throat. Sometimes this characteristic can even cause you to cough for a while. This “peppery” flavor indicates fresh olive oil and the presence of certain antioxidants. If your olive oil tastes oddly like vinegar or wine, it usually means that the olives have fermented because they were not ground quickly enough after picking.
Tip: If your olive oil passes this test with flying colors, don’t let it sit in the cupboard for too long!