The 5 Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils
There is nothing quite like extra virgin olive oil. Whether you like to cook with it or simply use it for dipping or drizzling over pasta dishes, you want the best. Extra virgin olive oil is packed with natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and can improve heart health and overall health, while reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
What Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Extra virgin olive oil (or EVOO) is the highest-grade olive oil available. It is unrefined and produced without the use of solvents or chemicals. It is made simply by cold-pressing olives and extracting the juice. It should be full-bodied, with the aroma and fresh flavor of olives. Unfortunately, not all EVOOs are created equal, so while some claim to be extra virgin, they are in fact just regular olive oil. That’s why we’ve found the five best extra virgin olive oils available.
Top 5 Extra Virgin Olive Oils
California Olive Ranch Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil
You won’t find a more beloved olive oil than the award-winning California Olive Ranch Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It has a sweet nuttiness, with the flavor and aroma of California grown green olives. The olives are cold-pressed within hours of picking for a fresh, fruity flavor with a complex finish. It is described as buttery and fruity, with a bright, smooth flavor. The unrefined oil comes in a sturdy dark glass bottle, which keeps the olive oil fresher for longer. It is versatile enough to work with any ingredients, without overwhelming them.
In a study conducted by UC Davis, they claimed this olive oil is the real deal. In fact, it scored top marks for freshness and quality across the board. Good Housekeeping selected this as one of the best olive oils available, calling it light and mellow in flavor. Real Simple selected it as the best oil for cooking. It is also recommended by Cook’s Illustrated and The Kitchn. While it is a top-ranked oil that can stand up to some of the most expensive high-end EVOO brands, it is still a supermarket staple that you can pick up any time.
Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil
With a rich flavor and herbaceous aroma, Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best for dressings, finishing dishes, and drizzling. The cold-pressed oil is grown and packaged in Partanna, Sicily only in October (early harvest). It has been produced by the Asaro family since 1916 and has maintained the same high standards since. The unfiltered oil comes in a large colorful tin, which also helps keep the olive oil fresher for longer. At first, the unfiltered oil appears cloudy and green, but over time, it will slightly mellow and become clearer. It has very low acidity and can complement nearly any food.
This beloved EVOO was the winner of three Gold Medals and one Best of Class at the L.A. County Fair and NYIOOC. Real Simple selected it as the best oil for drizzling, and it is also the common choice among celebrity chefs.
Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a rich green color, fresh fruit aroma, and distinctive flavor. Exclusively from Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, it is first cold pressed from the Cornicabra olive groves. It is then blended with other Spanish olive varieties, such as the Picual and Hojiblanca olive, for a more balanced flavor with notes of pepper and fresh basil. The buttery oil comes in a beautiful, colorful tin, which also helps keep the olive oil fresher for longer. The unique flavor can complement nearly any foods.
This is Amazon’s #1 best seller in olive oils. It was also awarded “Best Choice” and “Fruitiest Oil” by The New York Times after a national taste test. It was also awarded the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) certified quality seal, which certifies that it meets the highest international olive oil standards. It is also the preferred choice among some of the top chefs in the nation.
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been made by the Colavita family since 1912. It is harvested from the best olives in Europe. The Italian oil has a floral scent and full-bodied flavor, with fruity notes. Some reviewers also detected a spicy, bitter note and mild peppery finish. The everyday oil has a delicate flavor that is perfect for all of your cooking needs and can complement any meal without overpowering the flavors. It is also ideal for baking, drizzling, and marinades. The cold-pressed oil comes in two 34-oz tins, which also helps keep the olive oil fresher for longer.
Colavita is the fourth-largest selling brand in the country. It received high ratings from The New York Times thanks to its subtle olive flavor. It is also a two-time winner of the "Best Everyday Cooking Oil" in Men's Health Magazine's Annual Nutrition Awards.
Lucini Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lucini Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a light herbal flavor and aroma, with fruity notes. Originating from central Italy from the finest olive trees that date back over 100 years, you can expect the very best quality olive oil with less than 1/2 the acidity of other extra virgin olive oils. They handpick the olives at just the right time and press them within 24 hours of harvest. This results in a buttery EVOO with a rich, bright flavor and peppery aftertaste. The authentic flavor is perfect for enhancing any dish or method of cooking, as well as for dipping or drizzling.
The award-winning Italian olive oil is recommended by Cook’s Illustrated and has a dedicated following. It has been shown in studies to stand up to the strict standards for extra virgin olive oil.
And those are our recommendations for the best extra virgin olive oil. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!
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