How to Recognize and Buy High-Quality Olive Oil

Posted by Texana Brands on

Extra virgin olive oil is a kitchen staple you should feel good about. Many culinary and medical experts agree that this dietary fat is ideal for cooking and is linked to significant health benefits. 

While extra virgin olive oil is versatile, healthy, and flavorful, not all olive oils are created equal. It is important to have a clear understanding of what the term "extra virgin olive oil" means and why it is the best type you can buy when looking to add it to your pantry.

In this blog from our extra virgin olive oil growers, producers, and distributors at Texana Brands, we will discuss: 

  • What extra virgin olive oil is 
  • What the term "extra virgin olive oil" means
  • Tips on how to recognize good olive oil quality 
  • How to buy the best quality olive oil available 

Table of Contents:

  1. What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Exactly?
  2. Understanding What the Term "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" Means
  3. 7 Tips on How to Recognize Quality Olive Oil 
  4. Quick Tips on How to Buy Top Quality Olive Oil
  5. In Conclusion 

What People Ask: 

What is the highest quality of olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest quality olive oil you can buy. This is because of the pressing process in which the fresh olive fruit is pressed to extract the oil. 

Does the quality of olive oil matter?

If you think about it, good olive oil doesn't have to be the most expensive option. Additionally, quality olive oils can make food taste even better. So overall, the answer is yes.

Simply stated, high-quality olive oil enhances your food and cooking. Better quality olive oil also means that even though it may be a bit more expensive, it can actually save you money over time. 

What are the 3 parameters of a good olive oil?

When shopping around for good quality olive oil, the three most important parameters to pay attention to are smell, taste, and sight. 

What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Exactly?

The quality sets extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) apart from all other olive oil types. While all olive oil is made from olives, "extra virgin" comes from the freshest, quality olives and the pressing process in which it is produced. 

The pressing processes for extra virgin olive oil do not involve adding additional heat, chemicals, or preservatives, allowing EVOO to retain its quality, taste, and natural benefits. 

Understanding What the Term "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" Means

For olive oil to be classified as "extra virgin," the oil must come from the first pressing of olives, most often during a cold-pressing process. Regular olive oil types are also pressed but contain different processed oils. 

The bottom line: For olive oil to be considered "extra virgin," it must be free of chemicals and processed ingredients and have no alterations in its natural vitamins, nutrients, taste, and color. 

7 Tips on How to Recognize Quality Olive Oil 

When looking for high-quality olive oil, the various amounts of prices, brands, and labels can be confusing and overwhelming. How can you know if olive oil is high quality, and if you find one, how can you recognize it? 

The good news is that our olive oil experts at Texana Brands are here to help! We've put together seven tips to help you recognize when an olive is of high quality:

  1. Pay attention to the packaging (dark green or amber bottles) 
  2. Always read the label 
  3. Be aware of the harvesting and product production dates ("fresher is always better")
  4. Make sure the label says "extra virgin"
  5. Know your olive oil's traceability (from the olive tree to the table) 
  6. Choose an olive oil that comes from one variety of olives 
  7. If possible, taste test the olive oil 

Quick Tips on How to Buy Top Quality Olive Oil

Now that you know how to recognize quality olive oil from all the others claiming to be of good quality, you might be wondering how to buy it. While you could find good quality olive oil at the store, our team at Texana Brands recommends: 

  • Only buying olive oil labeled as "extra virgin"
  • Avoid buying olive oil packaged in clear bottles (light, air, and heat are the enemies of good quality olive oil!) 
  • Buying from trusted growers, distributors, or retailers that specialize in maintaining quality olive oil

In Conclusion 

Given the seemingly endless amount of olive oil available in stores and online, it can be challenging to know if you have the best quality olive oil in your shopping cart. Many factors impact the olive oil quality as well as your purchasing decision. 

Our trusted experts and distributors at Texana Brands hope that this blog has helped address your concerns about recognizing and buying high-quality olive oil. 

Are you ready to start shopping for top-quality olive oil? Our team is here to help you add some delicious new flavors to your pantry! 

Click here to shop Texana Brands' signature olive oil products! 

Click here to learn where to buy Texana Brands olive oil products!