Olive Oil Tasting: How to Do It Like a Pro at Home

Like wine, olive oil has an art of tasting. Professional tasters evaluate it in four stages; you can do the same at home.

1. Warm and Smell

Pour a little olive oil into a small glass, warm it with your hand and smell it. You're looking for aromas like fresh grass, green apple, artichoke or tomato leaf. Musty or stale smells are flaws.

2. Taste

Take a small sip and let it move around your mouth. Notice the fruity notes. A good extra virgin oil tastes lively and fresh.

3. Bitterness and Pepperiness

The slight bitterness and peppery catch in the throat when swallowing (sometimes making you cough) is a sign that the oil is fresh and rich in polyphenols. It's not a flaw, but a mark of quality.

4. Don't Be Fooled by Color

Professionals use dark blue glasses so as not to look at the color. Color alone doesn't indicate quality — what matters is the smell and taste.