Top 10 hints on how to choose the best extra virgin olive oil | Marqt.no

Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Top 10 Tips!

Katarina Poljak5 comments

Navigating Olive Oils Made Simple: Our Mission to Simply Guide You Through the Art of Choosing Good Olive Oil

In a world where the quest for the perfect olive oil can be daunting, we are on a mission to demystify the process. The truth is, many people find themselves lost in the sea of olive oil options, each claiming to be the best. Even for us, determining the truly exceptional ones isn't a walk in the olive grove.

Firstly, embarking on a journey to select the perfect olive oil requires a bit of research. With numerous olive oil producers and shops claiming the title of the best, how do you distinguish the authentic from the claims? It's a challenge we understand well.

We encourage you to delve into the art of choosing olive oil that not only suits your taste but also aligns with your environmental values. Our commitment is to guide you through this flavorful exploration. Discover the excellence that lies within each bottle—your pathway to a healthier lifestyle starts with choosing the right extra virgin olive oil.

Here are ten invaluable hints to help you navigate the olive oil landscape and make choices that enhance both your well-being and the planet's health.

transparent bottle olive oil

When picking extra virgin olive oil, the first clue is in the bottle. Always go for dark glass or non-transparent containers. Why? Because light, especially UV light, can harm the quality and health benefits of olive oil. Transparent bottles may showcase the color, but they're a sign to steer clear. No matter how pretty the label, stick to dark glass bottles—they're your best bet for preserving the olive oil's goodness.olive oil bottle

2. When it comes to olive oil, the choice between regular olive oil and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is crucial. 

Always opt for extra virgin olive oil, the highest grade in the olive oil hierarchy. Extra virgin olive oil, often referred to as EVOO, stands out for its exceptional quality and rich flavor profile.

The distinction lies in the extraction process—EVOO is cold-pressed without the use of heat or chemicals, preserving the natural goodness of olives. This meticulous method ensures a premium product with distinct health benefits.

So, why choose EVOO? It's not just about the vibrant color and enticing aroma. EVOO boasts higher levels of antioxidants and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats compared to regular olive oil. When you make the switch to extra virgin olive oil, you elevate not only the taste of your dishes but also the nutritional value. 

Curious to delve deeper into the nutritional value of EVOO? Read our article Nutritional Magic of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the insightful interview with renowned Dr. Simon Poole, an advocate of implementing the Mediterranean diet and extra virgin olive oil into your lifestyle to prevent diseases and achieve better health. 

3. The Third Hint: Your Easy Guide to Choosing Olive Oil

For a foolproof way to select the best olive oil, here's a straightforward hint: consult Flos Olei. Considered the "Olive Bible," Flos Olei is the world's most influential and comprehensive guide to olive oils. If you spot a brand in Flos Olei, it's your green light to go ahead and make the purchase.

This esteemed guide ensures that you're investing in an exceptional extra virgin olive oil. With its extensive coverage and reputation, Flos Olei serves as your assurance of both quality and authenticity.

nobleza del sur best olive oil

4. Look for Awards in Your Olive Oil Selection

Keep an eye out for oils that have clinched victories in prestigious international competitions like the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, AVPA Paris Gourmet Awards, London International Olive Oil Competition, Japan Olive, and more. These awards serve as a testament to the olive oil's excellence and are a reliable indicator of quality.

best olive oils

5. Choose Specialized Gourmet Shops and Upper-End Supermarkets

For an elevated olive oil experience, explore specialized gourmet shops and upper-end supermarkets. These establishments are more likely to offer superior extra virgin olive oils. Unfortunately, other supermarkets are not catching up fast enough with the growing trend of health-conscious consumers. But lucky for you, some are, like for instance, our extra virgin olive oil from Signature EVOO "Oleum Viride" from the family Belic the fresh harvest of October 2023 can be found at Jacobs Majorstuen in Oslo.

6. Aged to Perfection? Not for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Check the Dates for Freshness and Health!

Unlike wine, extra virgin olive oil doesn't improve with age. Pay careful attention to dates! Opt for extra virgin olive oils from the latest harvest; the fresher, the better = healthier.

7. Decoding Quality: Look for Harvest Year or Best Before Dates on Top Olive Oils

Premium olive oils often proudly display their harvest year on the bottle or website, while others ensure clarity through a best before date on the label. If the extra virgin olive oil lacks a "best by date," consider it a red flag – it's a wise choice to explore other options.

8. Savour the Best: Optimal Sizes for Extra Virgin Olive Oils

The finest extra virgin olive oils often grace the shelves in smaller sizes, ranging from 100 ml to 750 ml. It's worth noting that once you crack open an olive oil bottle, the process of oxidation begins, gradually impacting its quality and health benefits.

For those who may not be regular olive oil enthusiasts just yet, we recommend choosing a smaller bottle size, especially if you don't use olive oil frequently.

9. Choose Excellence: Buying Trustworthy Artisan Awards-winning Olive Oils

Purchasing from reputable artisan, award-winning olive oil producers stands out as a premier indicator of both quality and authenticity. These producers craft small batches of extra virgin olive oil, a meticulous approach that allows for unparalleled control over its superior quality.

At Marqt.no AS, our commitment is evident—we've carefully selected and partnered with Mediterranean olive producers to deliver to you not just olive oil but a masterpiece created with love, care, and unwavering integrity, enriched with powerful antioxidants.

Meet our esteemed olive oil producer, Ivo, from the Gardens of Eden, where dedication is measured in as little as 1,500 liters. Unfortunately, claims of representing smaller producers are abundant, but reality often differs. Verify this easily: delve into the olive producer's details and check their volume (note that 150,000 liters are not indicative of a boutique olive production). It's a small but crucial step in ensuring authenticity.

Once again, we urge you to conduct thorough research—choose the healthiest olive oil option, not merely a visually appealing bottle.

Olive oil producer Terrebianche

Photo: Olive oil producer Giorgio Clai, Istria - Flos Olei's World's Best Olive Producing Region.

10.  Beyond the Brand: Navigating Quality in Olive Oil Selection

Don't fall into the assumption that a bigger, well-known brand ensures superior quality. Quite often, these brands prioritize quantity over quality.

Our mission is to empower individuals to make informed choices when selecting olive oil—a choice that harmonizes with their taste buds, health, environment, and supports the olive oil industry. Educating consumers on olive oils is not just beneficial; it's the key to addressing fraudulent practices within the sector.

For the latest in olive oil news and a deeper understanding, we recommend following Olive Oil Times. Beyond our articles, they offer valuable insights to enrich your olive oil journey.

For a comprehensive understanding of olive oils and insights on choosing the best, we invite you to explore the following articles:

We draw knowledge from reputable sources, including:

These resources are valuable companions on your journey to discovering the nuances of olive oils and making informed choices.

 

Comments (5)

Jelena

I often find myself choosing the “well-known brand” just because it’s easier and it feels “safe”. This blog is an eye opener, great tips! Will be more careful in future, I can already see some nice options in your shop :)

Magnus A.

Jeg har alltid lurt på hvordan jeg faktisk kan være sikker på at det er den beste olivenoljen jeg kjøper. Gjennom eliminasjonsmetoden og mange andre bra tips i denne artikkelen kommer man langt. Tusen takk!

MARQT.NO

Dear Lisa, thank you for your feedback. We hope you will get a chance to taste marqt.no olive oils too; we are very selective regarding olive oil quality. All olive oils are extra virgin olive oils, high in polyphenols, both delicious and healthy!

We do not have a store in the USA. However, we ship worldwide. For our international delivery, we use FedEx, speedy service to get your products in no time. To illustrate, we sent goods from Oslo on Friday, and they were in Houston, Texas, on Monday. :) If you have any questions, please feel free to email me on hey@marqt.no

Lisa M.

Excellent olive oil tips! Thank you for sharing these. Very interesting and straightforward explanation on how to choose the best. I will have to look at your other olive oil articles as it seems like you understand olive oils very well. It makes me want to try your olive oils. Will you be opening an online store in the USA?

JOHN MCGRATH

As a professional chef I am overly impressed with the quality of these olive oils

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