How to Recognize Good Olive Oil: 7 Tips

Choosing quality olive oil can seem hard at first, but a few simple tips will help you make the right choice. Here's what the experts pay attention to.

1. Read the Label

The words 'extra virgin' indicate the highest quality. You should also look for the harvest year and 'cold-pressed.' The lower the acidity, the higher the quality.

2. Choose a Dark Glass Bottle

Light is olive oil's greatest enemy. Dark glass or tin packaging protects the oil from the damaging effects of light. Stay away from clear plastic bottles.

3. Smell and Taste

Fresh olive oil carries lively aromas of grass, green apple or artichoke. The slight bitterness and the peppery catch at the back of the throat are signs of a high antioxidant content — not a flaw, but a mark of quality.

4. Don't Rely on Color Alone

Color alone doesn't indicate quality. Different shades from green to golden are normal. This is why professional tasters use colored glasses.

• Look for 'extra virgin' and 'cold-pressed'
• Make sure the harvest year is recent
• Choose dark glass or tin packaging
• Pay attention to low acidity
• Consume within a few months of opening