How to Not Get Scammed Buying Olive Oil 🫒

Alright… let’s talk about buying real extra virgin olive oil, because most of what’s on the shelf? Fake, trash, or super low quality. But here’s how you can actually spot the good stuff without overthinking it:

💰 Price Matters

If your olive oil costs $5… it’s probably garbage.Real EVOO? Expect to pay $12 to $35 per bottle.I know that’s a range, but seriously, you don’t wanna cheap out. Using cheap, low-quality oil when you're trying to cook healthy just cancels out your effort. EVOO adds healthy fats, nutrients, and surprise: it’s actually super stable at high heat.You can cook up to 450°F with legit EVOO. Even deep fry. Just strain and store it right.

🍾 The Bottle Tells You A Lot

Light and heat kill olive oil. So:

• Look for dark bottles or anything non-see-through.

• Glass is best.

• Plastic? Usually avoid… unless it’s Graza. (Yeah, they use plastic, but their oil’s good and the squeeze bottle is kinda genius.)

🌍 Where It’s From Matters

Single origin (one country, one region) is usually your safest bet. It’ll cost more, but it’s higher quality. Not every blend is bad though. For example, California Olive Ranch World Blend is pretty solid and doesn’t break the bank.

✅ Check for Real Seals

This part is sneaky. Ignore most of those fake “official-looking” seals. Look for:

• COOC (California Olive Oil Council)

• PDO / DOP

• PGI

If it has those? You’re good. Skip anything claiming random certifications.

📅 Find the Harvest Date

Forget the “best by” date. You want harvest date. Why? Fresh oil = more polyphenols (those antioxidants that give EVOO all its health perks).The older the oil, the more those polyphenols fade. Plus, the flavor just isn’t the same.

👅 Taste Actually Matters

Real EVOO has flavor. Depending on when it was harvested, it can taste:

• Earthy

• Fruity

• Buttery

• Or have a little peppery kick

Pro tip: Graza Drizzle is spicier (early harvest).Graza Sizzle is more buttery (later harvest).Choose what vibes with your cooking.

🎨 What Color Should Olive Oil Be?

You want a light green color.If it looks brown or gold? 🚩 No thanks. Filtered oils will look clear. Unfiltered might be a little hazy. Both can be fine, but green-ish? That’s the good stuff.

🧊 The Freezer Test

Wanna double-check? Put your bottle in the freezer.

• If it thickens? Congrats—it’s real EVOO.

• If it stays liquid? It’s probably cut with cheap oils. Blended oils don’t solidify the same way.

Bottom line? Don’t overthink it—just stop buying cheap oils in clear bottles and start looking for the real stuff. Your food (and your body) will thank you.

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Do you use Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

• Yes
• No
• Haven't tried it yet