How to Care for your Olive Oil
The worst enemies for your carefully sourced Ultra Premium-certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil are light, heat and oxygen. Bright light and exposure to air will deteriorate the quality of your Olive Oil, and oxidation will cause it to go rancid. Most premium Olive Oils will have a “shelf life” of 12 to 18 months from the time of initial harvest and bottling, but should be consumed much sooner once opened. Ideally, your oils should be consumed as close to the harvest date as possible to enjoy their freshness, flavours, and to take full advantage of all its health benefits. We recommend enjoying your oils within 6 months.To ensure you are getting the maximum health benefits from your Olive Oil, be sure to do the following:
- Add Olive Oil to foods immediately after cooking.
- Buy and store your oil in airtight non-transparent containers.
- The best storage containers for Olive Oil are those that will keep light out and are made of either dark glass or stainless steel like our fusti.
- Always avoid any plastic, and iron or copper containers. Olive Oil will absorb PVCs from the plastic, and will react chemically with iron or copper creating toxic compounds.
- Small containers are better than large containers. With small containers, you are more likely to consume your oil in a quicker time, preventing prolonged exposure to air with every use.
- If your oil is in a clear glass container, store it in a dark cupboard away from direct sunlight.
- Store your Olive Oil in a cool place (not near your stove), and ideally between 18 °C to 20 °C ( 64 °F to 68 °F). Crystallization of your oil will occur below 14 °C ( 57 °F) but will disappear again when it’s returned to room temperature, with no harm done to the oil itself.
- At 28 °C ( 82 °F) oil releases all its aromas and flavours; warming a small spoon or bowl filled with oil in your hands can accomplish this.
Signs of an “Expired” Olive Oil
As Olive Oil ages, it continually degrades, the acidity level rises, and polyphenols diminish. The 3 key indicators for determining an Olive Oil that is no longer suitable for consumption are:
- A “wine” smell or taste
- Rancidity
- A metallic flavour (noticeable when stored in a reactive metal container such as iron or copper)
- A "musty" smell
- A "flat" taste or a very oily taste, with no noticeable "life" flavour, fruitiness present
- A "greasy" taste
Another sign of a poor state is that the oil has absorbed the odours and flavours of items surrounding it, even if not in direct contact with them.
“Old Wine – New Oil”
Most wines improve with age, but this is not true for Olive Oil. As olive oil ages, it will eventually deteriorate, facilitating the formation of more free oleic acid. Flavour will inevitably weaken, as the acidity level gets higher. Premium extra virgin Olive Oils will hold their qualities better because they have a low acidity level to start with, as well as a higher polyphenol count. In olive oils, polyphenols act in a similar way to tannins in wine. As mentioned earlier, most premium Olive Oils will have a “shelf life” of 12 to 18 months from the time of initial harvest and bottling, but should be consumed much sooner once opened. We suggest enjoying your oils within 6 months of purchase for optimal flavour and health benefits. Our oils are sourced from both hemispheres to feature young oils more than once a year.
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FAQs
To preserve their quality, store these oils in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cabinet, away from heat sources. They should remain in their original containers, tightly sealed to protect against air and light, which can hasten degradation.
What is the best container to store olive oil long term? ›
The best containers for olive oil storage are glass (especially tinted glass), ceramic, porcelain, or non-reactive metals such as stainless steel. Do not store olive oil in containers made of reactive metals such as copper or iron.
Is it better to store olive oil in glass or stainless steel? ›
Olive oil enthusiasts should store their EVOO in either tinted glass or nonreactive metal containers. Stainless steel is a good choice, but he sure to avoid metal containers made of either copper or iron.
Can you store olive oil in a clear glass bottle? ›
Minimize or eliminate light exposure at all times – it causes olive oil to degrade. Avoid storing your oil by a window and avoid storing it in clear glass. We chose our dark green bottle for a reason, the color helps filter out the damaging ultraviolet rays.
What oils don't go rancid? ›
The most stable vegetable oils include jojoba (actually a liquid wax), meadowfoam, fractionated coconut, watermelon seed, moringa and high oleic sunflower oils.
Does oil go bad in storage? ›
How do I know the shelf life? ExxonMobil states, "In general, the recommended shelf life for oils and greases is typically five years when stored properly in the original sealed containers." Oil does not have an exact shelf life. Drums of oil do not contain anything that goes bad in the way food does.
How do you store olive oil so it doesn't go rancid? ›
Light – Exposure must be minimized or eliminated at all times. Temperature – The optimal storage temperature for olive oil is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Oxygen – Exposure must be minimized or eliminated during storage.
What is the best material to store oil? ›
"In order to prevent oxidation, the goal is to limit the amount of moisture and air that comes into contact with the oil. Glass or metal containers work best, and glass jars are great because they are air-tight and easy to reuse."
How to prevent olive oil from oxidizing? ›
To prevent oxidation, olive oil must be stored in a dark, airtight container. What you can do: Be sure to reseal the bottle after use to prevent air from entering. By following this simple tip, you can ensure your olive oil remains fresh and flavourful longer.
What color bottle should olive oil be stored in? ›
Don't forget: the best bottles to store olive oil are dark-colored bottles such as O-Live's dark green bottle. Store your olive oil in a dark-colored glass bottle to help keep out the light, or in a stainless-steel container. This will protect the oil from sunlight damage.
Amber and green glass, in particular, protect oil from UV exposure and prevent rancidity, with a University of Piedmonte study (Marengo, 2017) showing that green UVAG glass preserves olive oil better than tin, PET plastic and bag-in-box containers.
Why not buy olive oil in plastic? ›
They also report that plastic storage containers can significantly decrease the amount of antioxidants naturally found in extra virgin olive oil. The risk of PFAS and microplastics ending up in your cooking oil is not zero, but the risk is present regardless of the material of your bottle.
What is the best container for storing olive oil? ›
Oxygen and light are detrimental to olive oil. The ideal storage is in stainless steel or dark glass, away from heat.
Should olive oil be refrigerated after opening? ›
It is also not recommended to store oil in the refrigerator because condensation within the bottle may lead to off flavors. Store your oil in a cool, dark cabinet or pantry. The optimal storage temperature for olive oil is 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the best way to store motor oil? ›
Ensuring the longevity of both mineral and synthetic engine oil requires that it is kept in a tightly sealed container and placed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight.
Does refrigerated oil last longer? ›
A: Storing oil in the refrigerator can slow down oxidation but may cause it to solidify. It's best to store it in a cool, dark place instead.
How do you store a large amount of oil? ›
Keep your oil off the countertop and in a dark, dry location at room temperature. This will reduce the amount of light, heat, and air that increase the rate of rancidity described above1,2. It will also preserve the taste and smell. Additionally, purchase your oil packaged in dark or tinted containers.
What is the best container to store cooking oil in? ›
Glass or metal containers work best, and glass jars are great because they are air-tight and easy to reuse." For more tips and tricks on how to best store olive oil, coconut oil, and other popular cooking oils, here is some advice from the pros.
