5 Tips to Ensure you Enjoy Your Olive Oil

The world of olive oil can seem overwhelming given the wide selection available. At first glance you might even think that all olive oils are created equal, but unfortunately that isn’t the case.

Olive oil can be one of the most delicious and healthy oils to incorporate into your diet. Many even consider olive oil the star of the Mediterranean diet which has grown in popularity due to its overall healthy selection of foods.

To help make your journey to and experience with olive oil easy and enjoyable, we’ve got five handy tips to help.

1.Read the Label

There are lots of important details to learn about your olive oil simply be reading the label. The first thing to check is making sure that what you’re purchasing says extra virgin. Extra virgin olive oils are made from the first cold pressing of the olives. This method ensures that the health benefits of the oil remain intact.

In addition, you’ll be able to find the harvest date of the oil. Even if you’re purchasing an oil that has a label in another language you should be able to decipher this information. You want to be sure and choose the olive oil with the most recent harvest date.

2. Look at How the Oil is Stored

Two of the leading factors in olive oil spoilage are exposure to heat and exposure to light. Both of these can cause the oil to go rancid so when you’re purchasing an olive oil make sure that it’s in dark glass and that it hasn’t been sitting in direct sunlight or in an overly hot storage area.

3. Use Your Oil

Olive oil does not get better with age. When you purchase a bottle, if stored properly, it can last for 18-24 months unopened. However, make sure that once you’ve opened the bottle of olive oil you use it up quickly. Olive oil when opened should only be kept for 30-60 days.

If you’re looking for tips on how best to use your olive oil, check out our recipe section here it’s packed with great ideas for every season.

4. Taste the Oil Before Purchasing

Ideally, before you even purchase a bottle of olive oil you get an opportunity to taste. The classic way to taste the oil is by using the following steps.

First, pour about a tablespoon of the oil into a cup and place one hand around the bottom to warm the oil. Place your other hand over the top and gently swirl the oil around to release the flavors and aromas. Second, smell the oil and make note of the aromas. Third, drink the oil and be sure to spread it around in your mouth. Finally, swallow the oil and make note of the wide variety of flavors you can taste.

You want your oils to have a fruity or peppery taste. The spicier the oil tastes the higher the polyphenols.

5. Buy from a Reputable Vendor

While it’s true that you can likely find a good olive oil in the grocery store, the best way to ensure quality is by purchasing from a trusted retailer. Retailers like D’Olivo who specialize in olive oil know the proper storage techniques, and move through inventory at a rapid rate ensuring that oils never sit on the shelves for too long.

Additionally, we source our oils from Veronica Foods which has the strictest quality standards for each oil produced and sold, resulting in our Ultra-Premium designation.

Whether your new the world of olive oil or you’ve been a long-time fan these tips should help you find the best quality olive oil for your cooking needs. If you’re in the market for high-quality, delicious oils then stop in to see us at 10 E Main Street in Downtown Walla Walla or shop online.