Finding good extra virgin olive oil is harder than many people think. In the Netherlands, supermarkets stock dozens of bottles labeled "extra virgin," but that doesn't automatically mean the oil is truly top quality.

You can recognize real premium olive oil by its freshness, origin, production method, and taste. Once you've tasted a good oil, you immediately notice the difference: more fruitiness, more aroma, and often a slight peppery finish.

In this article, you'll discover where to buy good extra virgin olive oil, what to look for, and which products are a good choice.

What is real extra virgin olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil available.

To receive this classification, the oil must meet strict requirements:

• acidity lower than 0.8%
• mechanically produced (without chemicals)
• no taste defects
• clear fruitiness in taste test

Additionally, premium olive oil is often cold-extracted below 27°C, preserving aromas and antioxidants.

A good olive oil usually has three taste characteristics:

• fruity
• slightly bitter
• peppery in the throat

That peppery sensation comes from polyphenols like oleocanthal, a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

Where to buy good olive oil?

Not every store sells the same quality. These are the most common options.

1. Supermarket

Most people buy olive oil at the supermarket.

While you can sometimes find reasonable olive oil here, there are a few drawbacks:

• often blends from different countries
• harvest year is missing
• oil may have been stored for a long time

Because olive oil oxidizes and loses flavor over time, older oil may contain fewer aromas and antioxidants.

2. Mediterranean delicatessens

Italian, Spanish, or Greek delis often have a better selection.

Advantages:

• often direct import
• smaller producers
• fresher oil

However, the selection can be limited, and information about polyphenols or harvest year is sometimes missing.

3. Specialized olive oil stores (best option)

The best place to buy really good olive oil is usually a specialized olive oil store.

Here, the selection is often based on:

• producer quality
• international awards
• polyphenols
• flavor profile

An example is olijfoliemarkt.nl, where you'll find a carefully selected collection of premium extra virgin olive oil from award-winning producers in Spain and Italy.

Good extra virgin olive oil to try

Here are some examples of high-quality olive oils you can find online.

Oro Bailén Arbequina (mild and fruity)

One of the most popular Spanish premium olive oils is Arbequina from Oro Bailén.

This oil is known for:

• gentle fruitiness
• aromas of apple and almond
• very balanced flavor

Perfect for:

• salads
• fish dishes
• daily use

View the product here:
https://olijfoliemarkt.nl/products/oro-bailen-arbequina

High polyphenol olive oil (for health)

More and more people are looking for high polyphenol olive oil due to its health benefits.

Polyphenols are antioxidants that can help with:

• inflammation reduction
• protection of heart and blood vessels
• reducing oxidative stress

View a selection here:
https://olijfoliemarkt.nl/collections/high-polyphenol-olijfolie

These oils often have a more powerful and peppery flavor.

Frantoi Cutrera Primo DOP (award winning)

One of the most awarded producers from Sicily is Frantoi Cutrera.

The Primo DOP olive oil is known for:

• intense fruitiness
• aromas of green tomato and herbs
• very high quality production

View the product here:
https://olijfoliemarkt.nl/products/frantoi-cutrera-primo-dop

Organic olive oil

For consumers who want to buy organic, there is also a growing selection of organic extra virgin olive oil.

Organic production means, among other things:

• no synthetic pesticides
• more sustainable agriculture
• stricter controls

View the organic selection here:
https://olijfoliemarkt.nl/collections/biologische-olijfolie

Olive oil tasting sets

If you want to discover different flavors, an olive oil tasting set is a good option.

This allows you to compare different styles such as:

• mild
• fruity
• intense

View the tasting sets:
https://olijfoliemarkt.nl/collections/olijfolie-proeverij/proefpakketten

Olive oil for cooking and baking

Extra virgin olive oil isn't just for salads. Good olive oil can also be excellently used for:

• baking
• marinating
• grilling

View the selection:
https://olijfoliemarkt.nl/collections/extra-vierge-olijfolie-voor-bakken-braden-en-marineren

How to recognize good olive oil?

Pay attention to these points when buying olive oil.

1. Check the harvest year

Olive oil is best within 12–18 months after harvest.

2. Choose dark bottle or tin

Light can affect the quality of oil.

3. Check origin

Single-origin oil is often more traceable than blends.

4. Pay attention to taste

Good olive oil always has:

• fruitiness
• slight bitterness
• peppery finish

Conclusion

Buying good extra virgin olive oil starts with choosing the right store.

While supermarkets offer a basic selection, you'll usually find the best quality at specialized stores that focus on premium producers.

Do you want to experience the taste of true top-quality olive oil for yourself?

Then check out the carefully selected collection at:

👉 https://olijfoliemarkt.nl

Here you'll find award-winning extra virgin olive oils from Italy and Spain, from mild and fruity to intense and polyphenol-rich.