Olive oil, a classic essential in the kitchen, varies significantly in quality. Navigating through the olive oil aisle in a grocery store can be as daunting as choosing a wine, with a wide array of options differing in price and quality. This makes it challenging to determine the value you're getting for your money.
This oil is celebrated for its high content of "healthy" monounsaturated fats, making it a go-to choose for cooking and salad dressings. It plays a pivotal role in the Mediterranean diet, with countries like Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal exporting millions of tons of this precious liquid each year. However, to procure a top-notch olive oil, selecting the right bottle is crucial.
Each oil has its unique character," notes Brandon Collins, corporate executive chef at Unilever Food Solutions. "They can be nutty, fruity, or bitter, and each type has a role in your pantry. Ultimately, like any ingredient, it's about finding what you love and letting it inspire you."
When shopping for olive oil, keep in mind a few key guidelines. Pay close attention to the labels. They can categorize the oil as extra-virgin, pure, or refined, and sometimes indicate the region of harvest. A useful tip: Look for the best-before date on olive oil bottles. Ideally, you want oil that's not older than 12 months. Experts recommend choosing extra-virgin olive oils in dark glass or opaque containers. Avoid plastic bottles, as olive oil can deteriorate when exposed to light, oxygen, or heat, compromising the quality of a good bottle.
1) Frantoio Franci IGP Toscano
Frantoio Franci is distinguished as a leading olive oil producer, renowned for its superior quality," explains April Marie, a Mediterranean nutrition expert and the founder of TheCurvyItalian.com. "Their commitment to carefully sourcing olives from prime Tuscan orchards and their dedication to using traditional varieties like Frantoio and Moraiolo ensures the excellence of their raw materials," states Marie. She highlights Frantoio Franci's prominence in the olive oil industry, from their cold-press extraction method to their stringent quality controls. "This producer consistently offers oils that are rich, balanced, and intricate in flavor, garnering them numerous accolades," she notes. Marie's preferred choice is their IGP Toscano, which is priced at around $32.95 for a 500-milliliter bottle.
2) Corto La Padella Sauté Oil
When it comes to cooking, I'm particularly fond of the Corto range of oils," mentions Collins. "Their sauté oil is quite remarkable. It's a mix of olive, rice bran, avocado, and grapeseed oils, which gives it a notably high smoke point." He observes that this sauté oil is subtly flavored, allowing it to complement rather than overpower your dish. "With some of the stronger olive oils, you might find their bitterness or peppery notes dominating your cooking," he explains. A large 10-liter box is priced around $80, making it a great choice for enthusiastic home chefs who frequently use olive oil.
3) Supremo EVOO Hojiblanca
Spain's Supremo olive oil stands out for its exceptional quality and flavor," remarks Jessica Chan, a chef with seven years of experience in the restaurant industry and current culinary blogger at Jecca Chantilly. These oils are produced in the Jaén region of southern Spain, crafted from olives that are handpicked just before full ripeness, resulting in a robust flavor profile. "The Hojiblanca variety from Supremo is particularly noteworthy for its complex and potent aroma," notes Chan. "It begins with delicate sweet undertones, followed by nuances of almonds and unripe fruits, ending with a spicy aftertaste." Chan mentions that this cold-extracted oil is versatile, perfect for dipping fresh bread, sautéing vegetables, or enhancing a simple pasta dish. A 500-milliliter bottle is available for about $20.
4) Frantoia Barbera EVOO
Chef Giancarlo Borletti, the executive chef at BSTRO 38 in New York City, highly recommends this particular olive oil. He appreciates the scent and the rich fruity flavors characteristic of this cold-pressed Sicilian variety. "This olive oil isn't just tasty; it's also reasonably priced, comes in an attractive bottle, and represents a high-quality option," Borletti remarks. Made from organic Biancolilla, Nocellara, and Cerasuola olives, this oil is hand-picked and cold-pressed within 24 hours of being harvested. A 500-milliliter bottle is priced at approximately $21.90.
5) A l'Olivier Flavored Oils
The entire range of A l'Olivier flavored oils is exceptional," comments Collins. "Their lemon, pink peppercorn, clementine varieties – each offers robust flavors, and their production method is first-rate." A l'Olivier, a French olive oil producer, has a history dating back to 1822, ensuring a high-quality olive oil with outstanding flavor. For those interested in exploring flavored oils, A l'Olivier provides tasting sets. An example set includes oils infused with black truffle, nice lemon, and basil, priced at about $52 for three 250-milliliter bottles.
6) Ardoino Fructus Gold EVOO
Amidst a sea of choices, Ardoino olive oil stands out as my top selection," declares Richard Beckel, executive chef at the Woodholme Country Club in Maryland. "It's excellent, adaptable, and comes with a full-bodied flavor." Priced at approximately $20 for 500 milliliters, it might not be the most budget-friendly option, but Beckel believes it's a worthwhile investment. "My time in the culinary world has shown me this: High-quality ingredients are rarely inexpensive, and low-cost ingredients seldom add quality to your dishes."
7) Kosterina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosterina's Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) series is a favorite among chefs. "It boasts a rich, fruity flavor with a smooth finish," shares Anca Toderic, a private chef in New York City and founder of The Butter Table. Chef Collins from Unilever also praises it, especially for finishing dishes: "I'm quite impressed with it—their Everyday olive oil is notably fruity. I appreciate that I can use it generously without it overwhelming the other flavors in the dish," he notes. The Everyday oil is priced at $19.95 for 500 milliliters. Collins considers this a fair price for the quality you receive – a monovarietal olive oil cultivated in Greece's Peloponnese region.
8) Bona Furtuna Extra Virgin Olive Oil
La Furtuna Estate in Corleone, Sicily, is the source of some of the finest Italian olive oil available," states Chef Karen Akunowicz, a James Beard Foundation Award winner and chef at Boston's Fox & the Knife and Bar Volpe. Akunowicz is so fond of this oil that she collaborated with the estate to create her own blend, a finishing oil imbued with nuances of pink pepper, wet grass, and the scent of wildflowers in bloom. "It's also excellent for making marinades and dressings," she adds. This specially crafted oil is priced at approximately $44.95 for a 500-milliliter bottle.