How to Choose the Perfect Extra Virgin Olive Oil

We'll be the first to admit that our vast selection of extra virgin olive oil can be a little intimidating! So, we've put together a guide for how to choose extra virgin olive oil from among our many bottles.

At Eataly, we offer more than 100 boutique extra virgin olive oils from Italy, each bottle boasting its own unique flavor profile terroir, or "taste of the land." So how can you choose the perfect olive oil for your taste? Eataly Magazine editors went behind the scenes with our product experts to find out the top five things you should know when you shop for extra virgin olive oil. Trust us – you'll be drizzling away like an Italian in no time!

The first thing to look for is the harvest date on the label of the bottle. Unlike wine, olive oil does NOT get better with age, so you should aim to use it within two to three years after the harvest date. Of course, the closer you can buy it to the harvest date, the stronger the flavors will be, while olive oil that has "aged" too much will begin to taste rancid. Some bottles will list the harvest date, while others will list a "best if used by" date. Regardless of the harvest date, you should use olive oil within three to five months after opening, as repeated exposure to oxygen will begin to reduce the quality of the flavor.

The olives grown throughout Italy vary greatly. Where an olive tree grows has a tremendous influence on how an olive oil will taste due to different cultivars (olive species), climates, soil, and time of harvest.

In northern Italy (typically Liguria and Lombardia), olive oil is delicate, smooth, and buttery with very light notes of flowers (think: chamomile). It is best served on light dishes like fish or risotto and perfect for drizzling on bread.

In central Italy, such as the regions of Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Campania, and the island of Sardegna, olive oil tends to be very herbaceous, grassy, and has a peppery – sometimes even spicy – finish. It’s equally great for serving with bread, bruschetta, pasta, salads, and steaks.

In the regions of southern Italy (Abruzzo, Puglia, Sicilia, Calabria, and Basilicata), olive oil typically has a strong flavor with a full-bodied, intense aroma and a rich spicy ending. This type is great for serving with bread, fish, salads, and pasta. Remember, these descriptions are broad and general; every olive oil has a unique story that results in vastly different flavor profiles, even in the same area!

Northern Italy: Buttery, mellow, soft, delicate, nutty

Central Italy: Grassy, herbaceous, pungent, peppery

Southern Italy: Fruity, robust, zesty, vibrant

Like the grape varieties of wine, different olive varieties, or cultivars, have unique characteristics in their taste color, aroma, and texture. Understanding the olive cultivar used to produce the olive oil will give you great insight into how it is going to taste.

At Eataly, we have 32 olive cultivars within the extra virgin olive oils that we carry!

During the process of making olive oil, there is an optional step of filtration which removes olive particles suspended in the oil (remember, olive oil is a juice!). Some producers choose to filter their olive oil, while others don't. It's simply a matter of preference and does not affect the quality of the oil. Unfiltered olive oil may have tiny particles of olive inside, appear cloudy, and is likely to have sediments at the bottom of the bottle. It contains more polyphenols contributing to a more intense and fresher flavor at the beginning, especially during the first two months after opening. Since the olive particles accelerate the oxidation of the olive oil, unfiltered oil has a shorter shelf life. On the other hand, filtered olive oil will be more transparent and slightly less intense, but it will have a longer shelf life.

Each olive oil is completely unique. We encourage you to smell and taste our oils to determine how you’ll best enjoy it at home. Our rule: eat what you like!

Check out our guide on How to Taste Olive Oil, then find your local Eataly or shop our selection of extra virgin olive oil online to bring home a bottle!