buying guide
Reading the labels
Provenance and quality assurance
One of the best ways to determine the quality of a bottle of olive oil is by its provenance.
An extra virgin olive oil must come directly from the producer, whose name and address appear on the label as follows:
Produced and bottled by:
Moli del Torms S.L
Elstorms, 25614 Lleida, España
By purchasing oils labeled in this manner, you avoid middlemen and ensure you’re getting an authentic product.
The majority of oils sold in large supermarket chains are bottled by commercial producers who pay little or no attention to the provenance or quality of their oils.
Always buy extra virgin.
Don’t confuse “pure,” “classic” and “light” with the “extra virgin” appellation.
Best before date
Olive oil is a fresh product. If you can’t find a “best before” date on the bottle, do not buy it.
While some oils are still good after the expiration date, honest storeowners should give you a discount if the oil is close to or past its expiration date.
Make sure the date hasn’t been altered.
The Canadian government has no laws governing expiration dates on olive oil labels. Because of this, many companies sell olive oils that simply don’t meet the standards set by the International Olive Council
AOC – DO
“Appellation d’origine controlee” and “Denominación de Origen” are your guarantee that the olive oil was produced in a certain region, according to strict standards. Look for these when you purchase your oil.
In the store
Environment
Avoid buying oils that are stored on shelves near windows or directly under neon or halogen lights. Prolonged exposure to light and air contribute to the oxidation of the oil, which makes it rancid.
Sale price
While price is far from being the sole criteria, you should be wary of any oil that’s priced too low. Given the price of labour, production and importation, it’s almost impossible to find a high quality olive oil at a very low price–the same is true of wine.
If you buy inferior quality oil just for cooking, beware: 30% of all the oils sold in Canada have been adulterated or cut with other oils. (Source: CFIA 2008, see the section: True or False)
It is possible to find good quality extra virgin cooking oil at an affordable price. Simply follow the guidelines above with regard to provenance, etc.
Tasting
To find the right extra virgin olive oil for you, visit a specialist who deals directly with producers. You can be sure their personnel are well trained and capable of giving you the information you need.
Tasting is the best way to discover olive oil and learn more about its many uses.
Check out our Tasting Workshop.
