TOP 20 best olive oil: how to choose, reviews

Olive oil is considered more beneficial to the body than other vegetable oils. This product is used by all fans of healthy eating. But in order for valuable vitamins and active antioxidants to be preserved in the finished dish, you need to choose the right olive oil. Some varieties are only suitable for dressing salads, while others are ideal for frying. This ranking contains not only the best varieties of oil, but also tips for choosing a product.

Types of olive oil

Like other types of vegetable oil, olive oil can be refined and unrefined. This is the main classification, but additional division of the product into types will help to choose the best olive oil:

1. Extra Virgin. The most valuable type of oil, thanks to which the product began to be called "liquid gold". This is the highest quality option. It has a high nutritional value and the same value. But the high price is far from a whim of manufacturers. It is explained by the complex and time consuming technology for the production of the product. To obtain oil, peeled and crushed olives are placed under a press and squeezed. The result is a virgin oil, without any additives or preservatives. It is only suitable for fresh consumption, for example for dressing salads or ready-made fish and seafood dishes. When heated, the beneficial properties of olive oil are lost.
2. Refined. This oil is also known as Pure or Refined. This is the same product of the first pressing, which is additionally purified (refined). Then it is mixed with Extra Virgin oil and is no longer refined. To taste, such a product is less saturated, but the vitamins and minerals in its composition are preserved. The cost of refined olive oil is lower than that of the first category. In addition, it is versatile in use: it can not only be added to salads, but also used for frying.
3. Pomace (Pomace). A budget variety of olive oil. It is also called a product of the second pressing, since the production process uses pieces of the fruit left after the first pressing. During the manufacturing process, the product is exposed to high temperatures, so there are not so many useful properties in the finished raw material. You can fry in this category of olive oil, as well as add it to salads, but the taste of the dish will be less intense.

Best Unrefined Olive Oil

Unrefined olive oil is considered an elite product, because vitamins, minerals and fatty acids are fully preserved in it. It is even recommended to drink it on an empty stomach to improve the functioning of the digestive system and general strengthening of the body. Professional chefs and nutritionists recommend buying one of these oil options:

Monini Classico

All-natural olive oil produced using cold-pressed technology. It comes in small 250 ml glass bottles, but you can also buy the product in a large plastic bottle or tin can. Has a rich fruity aroma and almond taste with a slight bitterness and delicate peppery aftertaste. This oil is ideal for salads, seafood dressings or cold sauces for bruschettes, sandwiches and sandwiches.

Volume	250 ml
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Italy

Testimonial: “Very tasty and aromatic oil. Works great in salads, emphasizes the taste of ingredients and complements them. "

Costad'Oro Extra Virgin

Unrefined olive oil produced according to the production standards of TR CU 024/2011. Produced in a bottle of thick opaque glass, so the product does not deteriorate when exposed to direct sunlight. The thick consistency is ideal for dressing salads: the liquid gently envelops the components of the dish and emphasizes their taste. The calorie content of olive oil is 900 kcal per 100 grams, and it contains healthy fatty acids of plant origin.

Volume	500 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Italy

Review: “Oil for an amateur. The taste has a pronounced bitterness. I like it, but not everyone shares my opinion. If you don’t like the bitter aftertaste, it’s better to buy another oil. ”

Filippo Berio

High-quality Italian oil is produced using cold-pressed technology, so it retains all its beneficial properties. Despite the fact that the product is available in a dark glass bottle, the manufacturer recommends storing it at temperatures from +5 to +25 degrees. When heated, the taste of the oil remains unchanged, but its beneficial properties are lost, so it is better to use the product fresh, for example, in salads or for preparing dressings for ready-made dishes.

Volume	250 ml
Shelf life	20 months
Country of origin	Italy

Review: “I have been buying only this oil for a year now. I use it for salad dressing. It goes best with vegetables, but also suits seafood. "

Borges

Elite extra virgin olive oil is made from selected fruits of the olive tree using a technology that has been practiced for centuries. The result is an absolutely organic product with a rich taste and bright aroma. The oil contains a lot of vitamin E, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The product is intended to be consumed raw. When heated, it loses its beneficial properties, therefore it is used mainly for dressing salads, sandwiches and other ready-made dishes.

Volume	500 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Spain

Testimonial: "Yes, oil is expensive, but it is ideal for dressing salads, fully reveals and complements the taste of vegetables."

Leonero

Unrefined olive oil is produced using the cold-pressed technology. There are no preservatives or flavor enhancers in the product, but at low temperatures a white precipitate may form in the liquid. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, oil is best used for dressing salads, as an addition to sandwiches and other ready-made dishes. The product is not suitable for frying, since all useful properties are lost under the influence of high temperatures.

Volume	500 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Spain

Review: “This oil is not always available in the store, but true connoisseurs of Mediterranean cuisine should definitely try it. The taste is awesome. "

The best refined olive oil

Refined oil is inferior to the unrefined product in terms of the content of nutrients, but it also has its advantages. For example, when deciding which olive oil is best for frying, you should give preference to a refined product. Stop your choice on the products of such brands:

La Casa

The product is a mixture of refined and unrefined olive oil in a ratio of 70 to 30 percent, respectively. Thanks to this, the product is suitable for frying, but at the same time it has a pronounced taste and aroma, which are also preserved in the finished dish. For convenience, the glass bottle is equipped with a dispenser that allows you to evenly distribute the oil in the pan and use the right amount of product. Only selected olives are used for production, and there are no preservatives or flavor enhancers in the finished product.

Volume	500 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Spain

Testimonial: “I dress salads with extra virgin olive oil, but I only use this for frying. The taste of the dishes is excellent. "

DeCecco

The main component of this product is refined extra virgin olive oil. It preserves the taste and aroma of a natural product, and unrefined cold-pressed oil is added to the finished product to enhance its nutritional and beneficial properties. Available in a convenient liter pack. Considering the very affordable cost and high quality of the oil, it is excellent for frying, cooking pasta and other dishes. The bottle is made of durable glass, and the sealed lid allows you to preserve the taste and aroma of the product.

Volume	1 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Italy

Testimonial: "I can't say that this oil has a divine aroma, but for frying it is better than others, especially given the large volume of packaging and the cost."

Iberica

Quality olive oil from a renowned manufacturer has been specially formulated for frying. It contains 20% cold pressed oil to enhance the nutritional properties of the product. The remaining 80% is refined olive oil intended for cooking with heat treatment. The product comes in a handy glass container with a dispenser. The sealed lid perfectly retains the taste and aroma of the oil, and the narrow long bottle does not take up much space in the kitchen.

Volume	500 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Spain

Testimonial: “Among all types of refined olive oil, this is the only one I like. There is a characteristic taste and smell that persists even after frying. "

KOKO

This olive oil is specially formulated for cooking food with heat treatment.The main component is refined oil of the second extraction from selected olives, and extra nutritional properties and bright taste are given to it by cold-pressed olive oil (no more than 5% of the total volume). Despite the fact that the oil is available in a plastic bottle, not a glass bottle, its taste and aroma are perfectly preserved thanks to the sealed cap that fits tightly to the neck.

Volume	1 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Crete

Testimonial: “I only use this oil for frying. They don't like dressing salads, since the oil is not only refined, but also deodorized, so it doesn't have a particularly bright taste or smell. "

Liberitas Pomace

This olive oil mainly consists of the second extraction. The resulting raw material is additionally subjected to heat treatment. The result is a refined olive oil that is great for frying. Extra taste and aroma is given to the product by the first (cold) pressed oil. The liquid comes in a handy small thick dark glass bottle. There is a dispenser on the neck that allows you to accurately measure the amount of the product and control its consumption.

Volume	250 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Spain

Review: "The oil is not bad, the taste is soft, the smell is pleasant, but I don't really like that it is produced in such small bottles."

Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is considered to be of the highest quality. In fact, this is a product that is obtained in the process of squeezing the fruit with a powerful press. It is using this technology that oil has been produced for centuries, but even now this production method is considered in demand and allows you to get an elite product. The list of the best cold-pressed oils includes:

MINERVA Greek ExtraVirgin

Fully organic olive oil produced according to ancient technology. The raw, crushed fruits of the olive tree are simply placed under a press, squeezed, and the resulting liquid is collected and bottled. This oil contains a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients, so it is used not only in cooking, but also in home cosmetology. For example, it is very beneficial for the skin, so rejuvenating and nourishing face masks are often prepared using cold-pressed olive oil. Since the composition does not contain any additives, the product has a characteristic aroma and pronounced taste.

Volume	750 ml
Shelf life	12 months
Country of origin	Greece

Review: “Great olive oil! I usually pour it from a tin can into a small bottle for more convenient use. I fill salads with it. I haven’t tried to fry on it ”.

Korvel Extra virgin

Premium natural olive oil will be an excellent addition to both festive and everyday meals. Since the product is produced using cold-pressed technology, it is suitable for dressing salads and ready-made meals. You can also use oil for frying, but in this case, the product will lose its beneficial properties. The liquid comes in a tin can, which helps to preserve its original taste and aroma.But before use, it is better to pour the oil into another container so that it is more convenient to pour it into a salad bowl or a spoon.

Volume	5 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Greece

Review: “Very good oil. Personally, I not only season salads with them, but also fry them on it. The taste of the dishes is just excellent. "

Cirio Extra Virgin Classico

Olive oil with a classic taste with a slight bitterness. The rich aroma of the product goes well with vegetables, cheese and seafood, so it is recommended to use it for greasing sandwiches and preparing salad dressings. The composition is completely natural: the oil is obtained from the crushed selected fruits of the olive tree, so its shelf life is short. When stored in the refrigerator, sediment may form, but this is considered the norm for a natural product.

Volume	1 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Italy

Review: “The oil has a pronounced bitterness, but I even like it, it goes well with vegetables. But for those who don't like this taste, it is better to give preference to a refined product. "

Maestro De Oliva Extra Virgin

Olive oil from a well-known manufacturer will help you fully reveal the taste of your favorite dishes. The product is manufactured according to the production standards of TR CU 024/2011. The composition does not include additional components, so the user can enjoy the pure and bright taste of natural olive oil. Supplied in a convenient dark glass bottle. This material protects the product from direct sunlight, and a convenient dispenser on the neck allows you to ration the amount of liquid used.

Volume	250 ml
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Italy

Review: "The oil is really very bitter and not everyone will like it, but I like it, especially with olives and feta."

Cadel Monte Extra virgin

Natural unrefined oil has a very rich taste and bright aroma. Therefore, it is better to use it not for frying, but for making salad dressings. Only selected fruits of the olive tree are used for the production of oil. It should be borne in mind that cold-pressed oil has a pronounced bitterness, and when stored in a refrigerator, a precipitate may form in the liquid, but this is normal for a natural product.

Volume	1 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Italy

Review: “Super oil, considering the cost, volume and taste. I buy only it for salad dressing. I haven’t tried to use it for frying ”.

Top olive oil producers

Despite the fact that many companies are engaged in the production of olive oil, there are several of the most trusted manufacturers. The list of the best includes:

LA Espanola

Extra virgin olive oil.It is produced according to the ancient technology of cold pressing from selected Spanish olives. This makes the product ideal for dressing salads and ready meals, but not for frying. The dishes will be tasty, but the beneficial properties will be lost. The product is completely natural and does not contain chemical additives, therefore, during storage at the bottom, a slight white precipitate may form. Available in cans and small glass bottles.

Volume	500 and 1000 ml
Shelf life	24 months
Country of origin	Spain

Review: “Good quality oil, but I like it more in cans. Fake products are often found in glass bottles. ”

Glafkos

Unrefined olive oil produced in the best traditions of Greece. The fruits that are used for pressing are grown on century-old olive trees in ecologically clean regions of the country. This brand produces both cold-pressed unrefined and refined oils. Both are available in large cans and small handy dispenser bottles. This Greek oil has a pleasant aroma and rich taste, but the cold-pressed product is best used for dressing salads, and refined oil for frying.

Volume	500 ml, 3 and 5 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Greece

Testimonial: “I really like the rich olives smell that this oil gives. There is a pronounced bitterness in the taste, so you have to get used to it. "

CORTIJO DE SUERTE ALTA

A renowned Spanish manufacturer specializes in the production of premium extra virgin olive oil. For production, a traditional technology is used, which was used in ancient times. This allows you to get an environmentally friendly product without additives, with a rich aroma and characteristic bitterness in the taste. The oil comes in large sealed cans or small dark glass bottles. In such a container, the oil retains its taste and useful properties for a long time.

Volume	250 ml and 1 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Spain

Testimonial: “This oil is just great. It is a pleasure to season salads with it, but you can even just dip bread in it. It will turn out very tasty too ”.

Cazorla

Olive oil of this brand is a premium product. It is produced using the cold-pressed technology, which allows you to fully preserve the taste and nutritional properties. Only selected fleshy fruits are used for production. No preservatives or flavor enhancers are added to the finished oil, but the product can be stored for more than a year. The oil is available in small glass bottles with a dispenser and large cans. The sealed lids help preserve the flavor and aroma of the oil, but it is best to keep an open container in the refrigerator.

Volume	250 ml, 1 and 2.5 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Spain

Testimonial: “For me this oil is universal. I will not only add it to salads, but also prepare homemade masks for hair and face based on it. "

CRETEL

This manufacturer produces not only pure extra virgin olive oil, but also a product with various additives: oregano, garlic, lemon and chili. In its pure form, the oil is produced in narrow glass bottles with a dispenser or cans. The latter option is suitable for those who cook only with olive oil and prefer to buy the product in bulk. All products of this brand are produced using cold-pressed technology. Thanks to this, the oil retains its rich aroma, rich taste with a characteristic bitterness and all the useful properties.

Volume	250 ml, 1 and 3 l
Shelf life	18 months
Country of origin	Crete (Greece)

Testimonial: “We tried a huge amount of olive oils, but this turned out to be the best. The taste is pleasant, the aroma is rich, and the oil with additives is generally a miracle. It helps to diversify the usual dishes. "

comparison table

Every olive oil producer cares about the quality of their product, so finding the right one can be difficult. A comparative table with the best types of oil from this rating will help with this.

Product name	Volume	Shelf life	Country of origin
Monini Classico	250 ml	18 months	Italy
Costad'Oro Extra Virgin	500 ml	24 months	Italy
Filippo Berio	250 ml	20 months	Italy
Borges	500 ml	24 months	Spain
Leonero	500 ml	24 months	Spain
La Casa	500 ml	24 months	Spain
De cecco	1 l	18 months	Italy
Iberica	500 ml	24 months	Spain
KOKO	1 l	18 months	Crete
Liberitas Pomace	250ml	24 months	Spain
MINERVA Greek ExtraVirgin	750 ml	12 months	Greece
Korvel Extra virgin	5 l	18 months	Greece
Cirio Extra Virgin Classico	1 l	18 months	Italy
Maestro De Oliva Extra Virgin	250 ml	18 months	Italy
Cadel Monte Extra virgin	1 l	18 months	Italy
LA Espanola	500 and 1000 ml	24 months	Spain
Glafkos	500 ml, 3 and 5 l	18 months	Greece
CORTIJO DE SUERTE ALTA	250 ml and 1 l	18 months	Spain
Cazorla	250 ml, 1 and 2.5 l	18 months	Spain
CRETEL	250 ml, 1 and 3 l	18 months	Crete (Greece)

How to choose the right olive oil?

Not all manufacturers supply truly high-quality olive oil, so before going to the store, you need to familiarize yourself with a few useful tips for choosing.

When buying oil, you should pay attention to:

1. Country of origin. The taste of the final product largely depends on the region where the olives were grown. For example, Greek has a bright, rich taste, with light notes of honey and fruit. Spanish is sharper, with a pronounced bitterness, and Italian is softer, with a pleasant herbaceous aroma.
2. Purpose of use. If olive oil is to be used for frying, a refined product should be preferred. Elite oil marked Extra Virgin is recommended to be consumed raw (for example, used for dressing salads).
3. Packaging. A good product comes in either large cans or thick shaded glass bottles. Only in such a container will the liquid retain its taste, aroma and beneficial properties.
4. Acidity level. In a quality product, the acidity is low. The relevant information is usually indicated on the packaging, so be sure to read the composition of the product before buying.

How to check the oil quality at home?

The easiest way to test the quality of olive oil is to taste it. It should be sweetish, with a slight bitterness. If the liquid is watery, vinegar, or metallic, the product is most likely fake.

Another effective way is to refrigerate the oil for several days.The natural product will thicken, and a precipitate will appear at the bottom in the form of white flakes. It is formed due to the solidification of fatty acids contained in the oil.

The use of olive oil

Olive oil is most commonly used in cooking, but it can be used in other areas as well. But at the same time, one should take into account the possible harm of olive oil, which is not excluded in the event that a fake or expired product was purchased.

The healing properties of olive oil were known in antiquity, so it was actively used in folk medicine and cosmetology. On the basis of the Extra Virgin product, rejuvenating and nourishing face masks are prepared. You can also apply the oil to the hair roots to make them thicker and silky. Pure olive oil perfectly normalizes the work of the digestive system, strengthens the heart and the walls of blood vessels. Also, this product is recommended to be included in the diet of children, because it saturates the body of babies with vitamins and nutrients for growth and development.

Myths and truths about olive oil

There are several common myths about olive oil that confuse consumers.

1. The color of the oil determines its quality. The shade of the liquid does not matter. Even from the trees of the same olive grove, you can get yellow and green oils.
2. You only need to buy cold-pressed oil. Another common myth. In fact, it all depends on the purpose of use. The cold-pressed product is really very high quality, but it is better to use it raw. For frying and other types of heat treatment, refined is more suitable.
3. In a good oil, there can be no sediment. Indeed, it is worth buying only a pure liquid without additional impurities. But if the sediment formed after storage in the refrigerator, do not worry. This indicates that the oil is really high quality and completely natural.

Olive oil is a valuable product that helps to reveal the rich taste of dishes and has pronounced healing properties. But this only applies to truly high-quality and natural oil. Therefore, in order for it to really benefit, it is recommended to buy only the products of the brands described in this rating.