What to look for in the label? The importance of packaging in the storage.

Olive oil is not only a gourmet product but also an authentic way of elevating the quality of your food while taking care of your health. Still, the olive oil market is extensive, and finding the right olive oil for you is not particularly easy. Can you tell if a bottle of olive oil is of high quality just by looking at the label? Yes and no.

In this article, we’re talking about olive oil packaging from the consumer’s perspective. You’ll know what to look for and what to avoid. At the end of the day, you’ll learn how to choose the right olive oil for you. After all, adding premium extra virgin olive oil is the best way of eating better and healthier.

How to Choose an EVOO from the Packaging?

Can you tell if a bottle of olive oil is of high quality just by its looks? Sadly, no. Low-quality olive oil producers invest quite a lot into making their products look nice. Just like you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge olive oil for its shiny bottle or label.

On the other hand, those producers that invest their time and effort into making authentic premium olive oil also do their best to make their products look the part.

For example, the bottle of Vassae Extra Virgin Olive Oil, one of the finest in the market, has its bottle design featured in prestigious graphic design publications. In this case, the quality of the product matches the image, but that’s not always the case.

Are Dark Bottles Better than Clear Ones?

Looking at olive oil’s color and clarity is a common way of reassuring ourselves that we’re buying quality olive oil. Still, the looks alone don’t guarantee a high quality.

In fact, if olive oil comes in a crystal-clear bottle, chances are it’s not great. Dark bottles protect the contents from UV rays that can damage the oil’s quality. On the downside, you can’t see the content of the bottle. Of course, the oil’s quality matters the most, so it’s not only okay to buy olive oil that comes in a dark bottle but also preferred.

The Enemies of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

To understand olive oil packaging, one must first understand the external factors that can deteriorate it. Olive oil is a perishable product with no additives or preservatives, so keeping it in good shape is paramount.

Light

Light damages the antioxidants in olive oil, one of the main reasons you want to consume it in the first place. Oil’s flavor and aroma also deteriorate if exposed to direct sunlight.

Air

Oxygen in the air causes rancid smells and flavors to develop in olive oil, so its organoleptic properties are compromised.

Temperature

Storing olive oil at high storage temperatures and the oil’s aromatic compounds change. Not in a good way.

What is rancidity?

This is a general term used for food that has lost its appeal. In the case of olive oil, the oxidation/decomposition of the fat molecules causes rancidity.

How to store your olive oil as a consumer?

Store your opened bottle of olive oil in the pantry, not the fridge, in a cool, dark place away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

Low temperature helps to preserve its taste, thus increasing its shelf life. Temperatures below 20℃ are recommended. Ideally, for long term storage, keep your olive oil in your cellar as you would do for a good bottle of wine.

Can You Store Olive Oil Forever?

Talking about the right way to store olive oil, we should mention that olive oil is a perishable product that you can’t hold forever. It should be mentioned that the higher the polyphenol content in the olive oil, the longer its shelf life. Extra virgin olive oil comes from cold-pressed olives, and producers add no conservatives to it.

As a general rule, store an unopened bottle of extra virgin olive oil anywhere between 12-24 months under the right conditions, provided it comes in a dark-tinted glass bottle. Once opened, you should consume the oil before the 1.5 months, provided you store it adequately.

Large Bottles or Small Bottles? What’s Best?

If you consume olive oil daily, you’re probably safe buying a larger bottle of oil. If you don’t cook often, it’s always best to buy smaller bottles and replace them if the oil goes rancid.

By the way, glass bottles are better than plastic bottles, as plastic can contaminate the oil with harmful PVCs. Glass is also a sustainable material that can be recycled, and it has a lower CO2 footprint than plastic. After glass, tin containers are the next best thing for the oil’s quality and the environment.

What Should You Look For in An Olive Oil Label?

When it comes to olive oil labels, it’s essential to notice the design is not what matters most, but the information provided.

For starters, make sure the label mentions the term “extra virgin olive oil,” otherwise, you’re not buying the real deal. Stay away from the terms “mixed,” “blended,” or “lampante.”
If the producer states the olive varieties used and the region where they’re grown, that’s a good sign of quality.
Finally, the producer’s name is the most important thing to consider in one bottle of olive oil over another. A little research goes a long way since family-owned, quality-minded producers are always better than massive brands.

Olive Oil That Checks All The Right Boxes

There are several things to consider before buying olive oil. Still, following the guidelines above, you’ll be on the right track to enjoying one of the most extraordinary products on earth.

For quality olive oil Vassae Extra Virgin Olive Oil checks all the right boxes.

Vassae has certified high phenolic levels and monosaturated fats, the compounds that make EVOO healthy.
Produced artisanally with high quality, altitude-grown olives.
Made with local olive varieties exclusively grown by the family.
Extensively assessed for quality and flavor through the entire process.
Vassae is fruit-forward, balanced and smooth.
Awarded Gold Medals in Berlin, Canada, Japan and London.
Available in a protective dark bottle, artistically designed by graphic artist Mike Karolos, featured in several design publications.
Vassae stands for quality, excellence and consistency.
Vassae Extra Virgin Olive Oil is delicious!