5 Tips for Buying Good Olive Oil

Finding a “good olive oil” can be a challenge, but with these five tips you can easily recognize a high-quality extra virgin olive oil that perfectly suits your taste and needs.

1. Choose a recent harvest year

When buying good olive oil, it is important to pay attention to the vintage. Fresh olive oil has the best taste and the most health benefits. Check the label to see if it states the vintage year, for example '23/'24. This means that the olives were harvested recently. Avoid olive oil without a clear indication of the vintage year, as the quality may be lower.

2. Pay attention to the label

A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is always described as “Obtained directly from olives and by mechanical means.” References such as “mild olive oil” or “light” often indicate refined olive oil of lower quality. Also check the origin of the olives. Good olive oil often comes from countries such as Italy, Spain or Greece and has specific information about the region and producer.

3. Assess smell and taste

Good olive oil has a fresh smell and rich taste. Think of aromas such as grass, herbs or green tomatoes. When tasting a high-quality extra virgin olive oil, you will notice a pleasant bitterness and sometimes a light peppery aftertaste. These properties indicate a high level of antioxidants, which is good for your health.

4. Choose the right packaging

A good olive oil is always sold in a dark glass bottle or a tin to protect the oil from light. Light can negatively affect the quality and taste of the olive oil. Avoid plastic bottles or transparent glass bottles, as these often indicate lower quality.

5. Avoid refined olive oil

If you want to buy good olive oil, it is essential to choose extra virgin olive oil. Refined olive oil has less flavor and does not offer the same health benefits. Extra virgin olive oil is pure and unprocessed, which means it retains the natural flavors and nutrients.

With these tips, you can confidently buy good olive oil that not only tastes great, but is also healthy and nutritious. Try it yourself and discover the difference a high-quality extra virgin olive oil makes in your dishes!