When you’re buying olive oil, there’s one characteristic that should always influence your purchase and it’s not the cost.
Olive oil has become a kitchen staple for countless households, finding its way into everything from cooking and dressings to dips, sauces, and marinades on a daily basis.
This versatile ingredient brings moisture, flavour, and texture to countless dishes, with one of the most delightful ways to enjoy it being simply drizzled over quality bread alongside a splash of balsamic vinegar. However, not every olive oil is created equally.
Extra virgin olive oil, commonly referred to as EVOO, typically boasts superior quality compared to standard olive oil, remaining unrefined and cold-pressed without exposure to chemicals or heat processing.
Standard olive oil usually consists of a mixture of cold-pressed and refined oils, offering a gentler taste, higher smoke point, and considerably lower price tag.
When purchasing olive oil and EVOO, cost often influences the decision, but Mazen Assaf, an olive oil sommelier and founder of The Olive Oil Guy, revealed there’s far more to selecting olive oil than simply considering the price.
He said: “When picking olive oil, go for bottles in tin or dark glass-heat, oxygen, and light destroy flavour and health benefits.”
“Choose single-origin, ideally from a specific region like Sparta, Greece, and avoid vague ‘EU and Non-EU blends.’ Look for the olive variety on the label-there are 1,600 worldwide, each with a unique flavour. For example, think about all the table olives you eat: each variety tastes different. If the olive variety is stated on the bottle, it’s a step further to recognising its authenticity.”
In a quest to discover the best kind of olive oils, The Express journalist Millie Bull reached out to a host of chefs, food experts, and professionals to find out which bottle is worth our quid.
Surprisingly, while their brand preferences varied, they all agreed on one crucial detail: the origin of the olive oil. It turns out that Italian olive oils are the top pick among culinary maestros.
One advocate for Italian excellence is Connor Robson, the head chef at the Bar Gigi, who swears by Frantoio Muraglia. This premium oil, crafted from Coratina olives indigenous to Italy’s Apulia region, is not only a taste sensation but also a visual feast, coming in a hand-painted terracotta bottle.
Priced at £41 in John Lewis, it might be a bit steep, but as Mr Robson puts it: “It is a splurge, but every drop is worth it. Home cooks can easily elevate their food by choosing good quality, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. If the bottle just says ‘olive oil’ on the label, chances are it’s been blended with cheaper seed oils, which you want to avoid.”
For those watching their pennies, fear not – you can still snag a top-notch EVOO without breaking the bank. Just keep your eyes peeled for the protected designation of origin (PDO) mark on the label, ensuring the oil hails from a specific area and has been produced using time-honoured methods.
The chef emphasised the importance of oil quality, stating: “This guarantees that the quality is there and that the oil has not been treated in any way.”
Jonathan Kleeman, a UK-based Group Beverage Manager, wine buyer, and hospitality consultant, recommended Manni olive oil from Tuscany for its exceptional quality.
Kleeman shared his experience with the product, saying he first came across this premium olive oil during his time in a two-Michelin-star kitchen where it featured in numerous recipes.
Manni olive oil is the creation of Armando Manni, a dedicated gourmet and wine aficionado. He collaborated with the University of Florence and Italy’s National Research Council to invent a novel process known as “live oil”.
Kleeman elaborated on the benefits of this process: “What that means in practice is that the extra virgin quality, the elements that earn it that title, lasts for up to two years. In most commercial extra virgin olive oils, you’re lucky if that quality lasts three months.”
Giulia Crouch, a food writer and author, also praised Tuscan olive oil, specifically one from Fattoria La Vialla, a small, organic, family-run farm in the region.
At £35.10 for a duo of 750ml bottles or £15.15 for a single 500ml, this olive oil is described as having a “clean, buttery and bitter” taste that’s both reasonable and versatile.
For those seeking a more wallet-friendly yet quality option, Which? magazine has crowned Filippo Berio as a “Best Buy”. This verdict came after a blind taste test pitting Filippo Berio against other brands like Napolina and Tesco in the extra virgin olive oil category.
With a price tag of just £7.50 for 500ml at Tesco and Ocado, or £8 at Sainsbury’s, Filippo Berio offers an accessible choice for shoppers frequenting their local supermarkets.
Experts particularly praised Filippo Berio for its protective dark glass bottle, which safeguards the oil from UV rays that could otherwise degrade its quality and flavour.
Alternative olive oils
The roundup also gave a nod to non-Italian contenders such as Belazu, available at Waitrose and via Ocado.
Mr Assaf, purveyor of his own olive oil brand stocked in the likes of Harrods and Selfridges, has praised the extensive range of olive oils available at various price points. Currently, Ocado is offering a steal on 500ml of Belazu’s Single Origin Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a mere £7.
The connoisseur of olive oils remarked: “Their oils are single-origin, packed in tins, and monovarietal. Their range of infused olive oils is also impressive.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin Ferra Y Castell, head chef at the Michelin-starred Pavyllon London, endorses two particular olive oils: the Greek Kalios olive oil, known for its fruity taste and crafted from Koroneiki olives that are handpicked and cold-pressed, and the French Château d’Estoublon olive oil, which boasts an organic production process with rapid cold-pressing to lock in its freshness. The latter, retailing at £49.99 from Selfridges, might be a bit of a luxury purchase but is an ideal present for any dedicated gourmet.
Here’s the complete rundown of olive oils recommended by the experts:
- Muraglia Rainbow Bottle Olive Oil, 500ml, £41 from John Lewis
- 2024 Grand Cru: Per Me & Per Mio Figlio Organic Olive Oil Box Set – two 100ml bottles, £60 from Manni
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2024 ‘La Vialla’, 500ml £15.15 from Fattoria La Vialla
- Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, £8 from Sainsbury’s
- Belazu Single Origin Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, £7 from Ocado
- Kalios 01 Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, £20.99 from Sous Chef
- Château d’Estoublon olive oil, 500ml, £49.99 from Selfridges