Since launching Truth in Olive Oil, many people have asked me which oil they should buy at their local supermarket, warehouse club or mass merchandiser. This is a vital question, and deserves a good answer. One of the critical factors in improving olive oil quality in North America is to raise the bar in supermarkets, where the vast majority of Americans get their oil. As the level of supermarket offerings improves, it will be a rising tide of quality that floats all boats, ensuring a supply of real extra virgins to consumers, acting as “gateway oils” to point people towards premium, “grand cru” oils, and at the same time, selling more good oil that supports honest oil-makers out in the groves.
While most of the very best oils are available in olive oil boutiques, delicatessens, and other specialty shops, it’s important to know that good, even very good oils can sometimes be found supermarkets. (And as I’ll be writing soon, some very pretty boutique stores actually sell low-grade, even adulterated oils – so caveat emptor!) Helping people find quality oils at good prices – in addition to celebrating the very best olive oils on the planet – is a vital part of Truth in Olive Oil’s mission. Think of Beaujolais nouveau and first-growth Bordeaux. The former compliments and spreads appreciation of the latter, and vice versa, in a virtuous circle that expands consumer knowledge and discernment. That’s exactly what should be happening in olive oil.
What’s more, fine olive oil needn’t cost an arm and a leg, as the supermarket oils listed below, and others I hope to identify soon, all prove. Some producers reduce costs using highly mechanized “super high density” and “medium high density” production models. Others can maintain low prices because their groves are located in areas where labor, land and other costs are relatively modest, such as Chile and parts of North Africa. And even in the heart of the Mediterranean, certain producers and oil-merchants know how to grow and source quality oil at modest prices. So while ultra-low prices (below, say, $8 per liter – but ultimately a store sets its own retail prices, and can even choose to take a loss in order to draw customers to the store, so retail price isn't always a good indicator) can call what’s in the bottle into question, some modestly-priced olive oils – like those below – are better than many premium-priced products, whose price is actually the only “premium” thing about them.
The key to good oil is freshness, so check the label for best by date, or ideally for harvest date, to make sure you're getting the freshest oil possible.
The oils listed below are my own choices; I’ve tasted them all myself. Some I’ve run across on my own, others have been pointed out to me by visitors to this website, by friends & family, by producers, and by other oleophiles. THIS IS BY NO MEANS A COMPLETE LIST! In fact, it will only contain a fraction of the honest extra virgin olive oils available in supermarkets throughout North America. The good news is that more and more good olive oils are available in mass-market stores, and this list should grow rapidly. Please write a comment with your reactions to these oils, and share your thoughts on which oils should be added to the list.
Tom’s Supermarket Picks (in alphabetical order):
- California Olive Ranch – good fresh extra virgin olive oil, mainly from the arbequina and arbosana cultivars, grown in super high density groves in northern California. Available at a wide range of stores throughout the US (see the store locator). Note that their Limited Reserve is the highest-quality oil, unfiltered and from olives picked during the first 2 weeks of harvest (reviewed here). "Everyday" is the company's best-seller, with a flexible flavor profile. Arbequina, Arbosana, and Miller’s Blend oils, part of the company's "gold medal series," have actually won more medals in olive oil competitions than COR's other oils, thanks to their distinct flavor profiles.
-
Cobram Estate – extra virgin olive oil from a range of cultivars, grown in Australia with the medium high density agronomic model, which has won olive oil competitions including best of show at the 2011 Los Angeles County Fair. Available here:
-
USA:
- Cost Plus World Markets nationally
- Raley's and Save Mart in northern California
- Fairway in New York
- QFC and Haggen in Seattle
- King Soopers in Denver
-
Canada:
- IGA stores in Vancouver
-
USA:
- Corto Olive – good, fresh super-high-density arbequina oil available at Costco (occasionally), HEB, Zabar's under the Zabar's label, Kroger as a specialty label called “Private Selection.” I profile Dino Cortopassi, founder of the company, in Extra Virginity.
- Costco Kirkland Toscano – Kirkland is the Costco store brand. I’ve been disappointed by Kirkland Organic EVO (not to mention the “extra virgins” in multi-liter plastic jugs), but the Toscano signature oil is the real deal.
- Lucini – since their purchase by COR last year, things may have changed at Lucini - more on this soon. In the meantime, I'll leave the review I wrote before Lucini changed hands: a wide range of fine oils, led by the top-of-the-line Limited Reserve Premium Select oil. I quibble with the clear glass bottles, which impair the shelf life, but as long as the oil is fresh it’s first-rate, and is widely available across North America. See the store locator. Lucini Premium Select is their finest oil, made on a a single estate near Bolgheri, in the Maremma region of Tuscany. Their Estate Select oil is made from olives grown in various estates in central Italy; since it's sourced from a wider group of farmers, it costs less.
- Oleoestepa – just entering the US retail market, this Spanish cooperative produces excellent oils at competitive prices. Keep an eye out for their oils arriving in shelves near you soon!
- O-Live – available at stores across Canada, and in selected US stores (including HEB in Texas). See the store locator (which sources tell me isn’t always 100% reliable).
- Ottavio and Omaggio – in terms of value for money, I don’t know better oils than Ottavio and Omaggio: a fine balance of fruit, pungency, bitterness that will appeal to a wide audience, at rock-bottom prices. Ottavio is available at HEB and Central Market, and Omaggio is available at Sam’s Club. (Note: In the past, Valco Enterprises, producer of Ottavio, and Axiom Enterprises, producer of Omaggio, have both supported Truth in Olive Oil. Read here for what this means.)
- Trader Joe’s – 3 out of the 6 extra virgin oils I tasted in August, 2013 were the real deal. One of these, the Premium 100% Greek Kalamata, was very fresh, spicy, complex at an extremely competitive price (1 liter for $8.99). The California Estate Olive Oil was also a good choice, while the Premium Extra Virgin was decent and defect-free, if a bit uninspiring. The 3 other Trader Joe’s “extra virgins” I tasted were defective. (See here for details.)
- Whole Foods California 365 – The Whole Foods store brand from California is good-quality extra virgin olive oil at a great price. In my experience, the other members of the 365 lineup are poor – an odd situation from a company like Whole Foods that preaches quality über alles.
As mentioned above, there are likely to be many more good supermarket oils not included in this list. Please suggest some, and I’ll try them out as soon as I can.
Comments
I live in the US but have a
Submitted by Tony M. on
I live in the US but have a home in Pescara Italy. I try to bring as much local oil back to the US as possible. Our home is in Collecorvino which is bewteen Pescara and Penne. Nearby, between the cool, clean breeze of the Gran Sasso Mountains and the sea, there exists a small town called Loreto Aprutino where we buy oil from the SCAL Coop. I can tell you that I have never tasted true EVO until I tasted this stuff... Pure liquid gold. They use it in a local restaurant called Da Carmine and when poured on the plate, it glows an almost neon green. Abruzzese oil is a well kept secret.
Hi Tony - I'll definitely add
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Tony - I'll definitely add the SCAL Coop in Loreto Aprutino to my list of "Must try" oils. What you say about Abruzzo oils could well be said about Abruzzo itself: a much under-appreciated and remarkable land! I'll be heading down there soon, and will check this oil out. Many thanks for the tip.
Tom, Have you had the
Submitted by Tony M on
Tom, Have you had the opportunity to visit Loreto Aprutino yet? The small town in Abruzzo.
Tony M
Hi Tony, No I'm afraid i
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Tony, No I'm afraid i haven't made it to Loro Aprutino yet. Hope to do so soon, but it's a little out of the way!
All best, Tom
Hi Tom. You have absolutely
Submitted by alvise.bompensa on
Hi Tom. You have absolutely visit Loreto Aprutino. We have a 2000 history of production of extra virgin olive oil. In Loreto we have 16 oil mills and almost all family owns some hectar of olive tree. Moreover, it is a wonderful little town.
When and if you want to visit Loreto you can contact us. We will be proud to show you the home Abruzzo of extra virgin olive oil.
Regards.
I agree, I passed by SCAL in
Submitted by Silvian on
I agree, I passed by SCAL in Loreto in december 2013, a few weeks after they picked up the new olive, I bought a 5 liters just pressed a few days before, ..., just the best thing you could taste in your life !
It's important to remind
Submitted by Penelope on
It's important to remind readers that in addition to just the brand, it is extremely important to know when the oil was pressed. It doesn't matter what brand it is, if the oil is older than 18 months from pressing, forget it; the benefits are gone.
Penelope - You are absolutely
Submitted by Tom on
Penelope - You are absolutely right. I forgot to mention freshness, one of the most essential parts of selecting an olive oil. I've added this to my post. Many thanks for the heads up!
I usually buy extra virgin
Submitted by jacqui on
I usually buy extra virgin ColaVita, is this the real thing? Thanks.
I was by turns excited and
Submitted by Clint on
I was by turns excited and disappointed when I saw production dates on the oils at Whole Foods; excited that they were there at all, but disappointed that none was more recent than about 18 months and some were even older.
Same here, Clint. In fact,
Submitted by Tom on
Same here, Clint. In fact, for a company that preaches high quality, known origins etc, I'm overall surprised that Whole Foods isn't policing its olive oils better. But they'll soon see the light, I'm confident, esp. when they realize that higher quality means higher profit margins, too. A lesson that many cut-rate oil merchants would do well to learn.
Whole Foods 365 brand is not
Submitted by Raven on
Whole Foods 365 brand is not usually of great quality. It is organic of course, and follows anything they have preached not to allow in their store. Their orange juice for example does not have flavor packs. But the coconut oil for example is not unheated and does not work very well. The canned tomatoes have an ingredient which is an MSG risk. The 365 brand products are not raw and unprocessed, and rarely fit every qualifier that is needed for a particular product to be the best in health.
May I purchase oil from the
Submitted by Alana Morgan on
May I purchase oil from the SCAL Coop? If so, HOW please.
Thank you, Tom!
Alana
Alana,
Submitted by Tony M on
Alana,
Unfortunately, you can't unless you physically go to their outlet. The manager would not even ship a case to me even though I promised to order at-least one case every few months. They date all of the bottles as to production and when to use by... The bottle I have at home is San Zopito and the expiry date was 18 months after after the production date. They are honest and somewhat of a smaller operation.
Tony
I acted on your review of "
Submitted by Peter Young on
I acted on your review of " Whole Foods California 365" and dressed a salad with it last evening. Wonderful ! Taste for a change, not taste and "oilyness" as some EVOs give. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thank you, thank you, thank
Submitted by Lynda Buitrago on
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tom! I was getting a lot of questions as to which supermarket oils are the real deal. I'm quite happy to hear that the Costco Toscano in my pantry is on the list, but I'll enjoy trying all the others, too.
California Olive Ranch EVOO
Submitted by Andy LeBlanc on
California Olive Ranch EVOO is on our supermarket shelves on a regular basis, unfortunately they also regularly run from a press date of 2009 to 2011. Although I try to pick the freshest there, I regret having another customer behind me be forced into buying an earlier pressing and maybe not getting the wonderful flavors of the freshest products.
We are producers of prize
Submitted by Keith Richmond on
We are producers of prize-winning EVO in central Tuscany and guarantee the quality of our oil for 24 months. The regulations require us to put an expiry date of 18 months on the label, but it is all a bit arbitrary. Sure, the oil loses some of its peppery taste etc but it is still good, especially if kept in a dark bottle (NEVER buy EVO in a clear bottle!). I found a bottle of our 2004 oil the other day and was amazed how good it was and how green it still was - after 8 years!
And pro bay you stored it in
Submitted by Raven on
And pro bay you stored it in a cool cellar or cabinet etc. Not sitting on a grocery store shelf under flour descent lights in a clear bottle, left in a hot truck, etc. Those probation are completely dead much earlier because the people handling them do not care to keep it the right way.
Also, olive oils don't taste NAD after they are expired or have lost their nutrients or "gone bad". They still taste the same.
Freshness is the number one
Submitted by Jeff on
Freshness is the number one key factor to taste quality and health benefits in olive oil. EVOO is a fruit juice that is pressed from a fruit on a tree. Would you squeeze an orange and drink the juice a year later? Even though EVOO has more natural preservative properties than most fruits, even the highest quality EVOO will be a shadow of its former self after 12 months, and starting to develop negative taste defects after that. All EVOO will begin to decompose and oxidize the day it is pressed and continue to lose taste and health benefits the older it becomes. This is an undeniable fundamental Chemistry fact and comments like the one from the producer saying his oil was still good and green after 8 years is outright fraud. Harvest date is the most important characteristic of an EVOO. If you want to taste good EVOO, make sure you buy a bottle that was HARVESTED within one year.
NO it's NOT. CONTAINING ONLY
Submitted by Raven on
NO it's NOT. CONTAINING ONLY OLIVE OIL AND NO OTHER OIL is the #1 factor! Being nearly unprocesssed using no chemicals is, as with all things, the second. Then you can worry about things like like harvest date!
...And no, the post above could not possibly be fraud! He didn't mention the name of his company, or whether or not he even has one!
Hi Jeff [and Tom's Truth In
Submitted by N. nicole on
Hi Jeff [and Tom's Truth In Olive Oil]
Absolutely, and aced your comment *harvest date is the most impt characteristic of an EVOO -- - and that was HARVESTED within one year* [i believe the masses are used to tasting 'rancid' oils on the market today, and miss out on what a properly produced EVOO should taste like, so thank goodness for your work, and practitioners as Mark Hyman, MD helping spread the *truth*... Thank you gentlemen!
PS: have you tried yet the *Bariani family's estate olive oil?*
Of course EVOO loses its
Submitted by Keith Richmond on
Of course EVOO loses its properties over time; that's no secret. Jeff is right on that but didn't read my comment carefully enough. My point was that I was surprised at how good the oil tasted; it wouldn't have had all health benefits of eight years before but it was delicious. Not every EVOO is the same year in year out; there can be enormous differences. If he thinks my statement was 'outright fraud', let him please come by and taste it! People who are passionate about olive oil are always welcome here.
Hi Keith, Jeff and Andy – As
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Keith, Jeff and Andy – As noted earlier by Penelope, freshness is an essential part of great oil. And while I find it a tad hard to believe that 8-year-old oil was still defect-free, I do agree that some oils are still spritely and full of flavor 2 years or so after extraction. How well an oil ages has to do with its level of polyphenols (natural preservatives) & oleic acid, as well as storage conditions. Some oils, like the taggiasca made in Liguria, the area of NW Italy where I live, and arbequina oil made in hot climates, start to smell funny after 6 months; others, such as big-bodied, bitter and pungent picuals, coratinas and koroneikis, hang in there well, if well-made and properly stored, for a couple of years. Jeff is right that an oil only deteriorates with age, and will never be better than the moment it's made (or, strictly speaking, a couple months after that, when it's been racked), but I agree with Keith that a big-bodied oil can last quite well.
Hi Tom,
Submitted by Edward Leonforte on
Hi Tom,
Does you recommendation of an oil mean you know somehow that it is pure evo from the origins it claims on the bottle and not mixed with lesser quality oils?
Hi Edward – Excellent
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Edward – Excellent question. While I am starting to chemically test oils off store shelves in the USA, I haven't tested most of the oils I mention here. The fact is, taste testing by an experienced taster is almost invariably a better indicator of fraud than all but the most in-depth chemical tests: bad oils are either flat (deodorized), faulty (rancid, fusty, etc), or have peculiar characteristics not associated w/ olive oil. I've recommended the oils on this list because I've tasted them and like what I've found; in some cases this impression is reinforced by my knowledge of the producers themselves.
Hi Tom,
Submitted by Edward Leonforte on
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply. Should I be wary of oils that don't leave that peppery after taste in my throat even if they have a very nice fruity flavor? I read some posts in here about bionature I have have tasted it and found it fruity without any pepperiness in my throat. On the other extreme some whole foods are carrying some whole foods brand sicilian evo in a big dark square bottle that is very impressive and very peppery, and a bargain. I has an expiration date in 2015. I took a chance on Middle Earth Organics because their label story is exactly what we're looking for, and I was impressed. I think its the real deal. I taste tested some of the big tin cans of EVO in the supermarket a few years ago and found some to be surprisingly good. Have you tried those?
At our Food Co-op Napa Valley
Submitted by Aaron W on
At our Food Co-op Napa Valley Naturals Organic EVO, Bionaturae Organic EVO, and Spectrum Organic EVO. Do you know if any of these are any good?
Hi Aaron, Napa Valley
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Aaron, Napa Valley Naturals makes oils from olives not from Napa Valley, and their street rep is not good among CA producers. The Spectrum Organic EVO I've tasted has been rancid, fusty and otherwise highly defective. I don't know the other brand you mention. Good luck finding great oil! Pity it's such a challenge at this point, not only in the US but worldwide.
Bionaturae is actually an
Submitted by Alexia on
Bionaturae is actually an Italian brand, though I can't speak to the quality of their OO.
What's up, after reading this
Submitted by wartrol on
What's up, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am too happy to share my experience here with mates.
My non-expert experience has
Submitted by Matt on
My non-expert experience has been:
Napa Valley: Not bad, but not great. Meh.
Bionaturae: Quite good flavor.
Spectrum: Actively terrible.
Found this little shop in
Submitted by sam on
Found this little shop in Fairfax, VA, Olio2go that sells just about every type of olive oil from Italy. Plus they sell pasta, spices, honey & sea salt, all imported from Italy. Very reasonable price for excellant olive oils. I highly recommend this shop.
Hi Sam - I've just looked at
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Sam - I've just looked at the list of oils they offer, and some of the top Italian oil-maker artists are there: Cutrera, Titone, Frantoio Franci et al. Not sure I agree with you on the prices (these are a tad outside the supermarket range), but this may be what it costs right now to get premium Italian oils in bottles stateside. Thanks for the recommendation; I'll add Olio2go to my list of where to buy top oils.
Superb, what a weblog it is!
Submitted by web page on
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data to us, keep it up.
Tom~ What about Speciality
Submitted by Tom Alfonso on
Tom~ What about Speciality Stores?
Hi Tom - re/ specialty stores
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Tom - re/ specialty stores, my recommendations are here: http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/great-oil/best-olive-oils. And in terms of pure quality, the absolute best oils on the market are normally available at specialty stores (sometimes at nosebleed prices) - this "supermarket oils" list was intended to steer people towards good EVO in larger stores, something that a lot of my readers had been asking about. And in specialty stores, among many fantastic locations, there are a few impostors selling crappy oil (something I'll be writing about in detail soon), so know your store manager and where they source their products, and caveat emptor!
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Submitted by Gerry Petrecca on
Tom,
Thanks for posting the infomation. I've been able to find Lucini and Calif. Olive Ranch products at the nearest Big Y(chain store)supermarket. REALLY Great oils at affordable prices.
Gerry
Loved your book!!
Hi Gerry - Thanks for this.
Submitted by Tom on
Hi Gerry - Thanks for this. I'll try to find out more about Big Y and add it to my lists for COR and Lucini.
Tom,
Submitted by Gerry on
Tom,
Big Y supermarkets is a regional chain located in Conecticut and Mass.
They were listed as a source when I looked up store locations for Lucini. Lo and behold they also carry COR too as well as
EVOO products from Cat Cora, Paul Newman, and some other TV network celebraties.
Have you sampled any of
Submitted by Michael Kraft on
Have you sampled any of Fairway Market's Private Label EVOOs -- and if so, any opinions?
Here is the list in their current Holiday 2012 magazine (Issue 3):
Barbera Sicilian
Trevi-Umbria
California
Gata-Hurdes Extremadura
Pugliese
Catalan Arbequina
Baena
Australian Picual
Greek Koroneki
Luque Early Harvest
Picholine Languedoc
Naturvie
Italian Riviera Taggiasca
Cabeco das Nogueras
Thanks.
Michael - I haven't tasted
Submitted by Tom on
Michael - I haven't tasted these, but need to. Obviously Steve Jenkins' reputation preceeds him, and he's likely to source excellent oil, but I haven't tried any yet. I'll reach out to them for more info, and next time I'm in NY I'll give the oils a go. Thanks for bringing these to my attention.
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Thanks for asking this
Submitted by Anna B on
Thanks for asking this question! I love the Gata-Hurdes oil but would love to hear more feedback on any/all of the Fairway line and how they rate.
Thanks!
I'd also love to read your
Submitted by Heather B on
I'd also love to read your thoughts on Fairway's private brands. Thanks!
I love this site! Since
Submitted by Patrick Daniell on
I love this site! Since reading your book I've been sampling more expensive oils. I've really enjoyed the Fairway oils, but being a newbie I don't think I could tell if someone flavored up some of it with "beta carotene and chlorophyll" or if it's the real deal. Also, why wouldn't someone who's into oil date their bottles and use green glass? (I keep mine covered in a brown paper bag).
I think people like you and the ability we finally have to communicate globally will weed out the unscrupulous among us. You're setting a clear example of how this global community thing is really starting to work!
Thanks Patrick! And I agree:
Submitted by Tom on
Thanks Patrick! And I agree: in this internet-permeated world, knowledge is power, and power will win out in the end. The stakes are particularly high when it comes to the quality & transparency of our food supply. So keep fighting the good fight!
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