Here is a list of 12 of the BEST Extra-Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) on the market today, what makes them the real deal, and where to find them.
1. Ellora Farms EVOO is 100% cold pressed from the Kolymvari region of Crete, a Greek island in Southern Europe. Their oil holds the seal of protection of designated origin (PDO).
And every single bottle has a lot number that customers can enter on their website for full traceability of the product, as well as laboratory analysis of the oil and all the findings. This is a higher-end oil and can be a bit pricey but worth the money. You can get this one in most stores and various places online.
2. California Olive Ranch EVOO 100% California is one of the best. They cold press their olives and bottle within hours of harvest and have the seal of certification from the California Olive Oil Council (COOC), which has one of the strictest requirements in the world to attain. It is available online, in most supermarkets, and at Walmart.
3. Burroughs Family Farms EVOO. They use three types of organic and GMO-free olives; arbequina, arbosana, and gretchenina. This oil has a strong peppery taste and gives that slight irritation in the back of the throat that comes from high concentrations of the polyphenol oleocanthal. It also has the certification seal from the COOC as it is sourced from California. This is a more expensive oil but well worth the money. You can find it online and buy directly from Burroughs Family Farms.
4. Mr. Organic EVOO comes from the Puglia region in Southern Italy. They hand-pick, cold press, and bottle their olive oil within 24 hours! You can find this one online.
5. Cobram Estate EVOO: Cobram won the award for ‘Healthiest Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the World’ at an annual awards competition in Spain in 2017. They operate out of two locations; California and Melbourne, Australia which allows them to produce from two different harvests every year, ensuring optimal freshness of their oil. They also are certified for their authenticity by the COOC in California. You can buy this at most supermarkets, Walmart, and Target.
6. Zoe EVOO: This budget-friendly olive oil comes in a tin, but didn't let that fool you. Zoe EVOO uses cold-press olives of the ‘Cornicabra’ variety, which are native to Spain. It carries a certification seal from the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) and meets all international standards. It also won “Best Choice” and “Fruitiest Oil” awards in a New York Times taste test. You can pick this up online and at most supermarkets including Walmart.
*Tin is a good alternative to glass bottles as it protects the oil from light and is much better than plastic.
7. Cave Creek EVOO: This extra virgin olive oil brand offers several types of flavors and is from Arizona. It carries the ‘Ultra-Premium’ (UP) certification. The ‘ultra-premium' certification is the highest standard for EVOO in the world. All their oil is lab-tested by an authorized third-party lab such as Modern Olives, an Australia-based laboratory that is the most respected independent olive-testing laboratory worldwide.
All oil must be 100% pure oil from olives.
Bottles must have full traceability and display the harvest date.
All ‘UP’ accredited products will undergo random testing via frequent anonymous purchases from stores, which will go to a lab for analysis.
As a result of their ‘UP’ accreditation, you can be confident that Cave Creek extra virgin olive oil is authentic. You can buy this online directly from Cave Creek or in most stores.
8. Goya EVOO: This oil is certified as ‘ultra-premium and sourced from the Andalucia region of Spain’s south coast. It has a fruity, slightly bitter peppery flavor. Goya holds the certified seal by the NAOOA. You can purchase Goya EVOO at most stores and online.
9. Kouzini EVOO: This single-origin oil is from the Southern Peloponnese area of Lakonia, Greece. It is organic and certified ‘ultra-premium’ due to its minimal levels of free fatty acids and is high in phenols. Despite the strict requirements for this product, it is moderately reasonable compared to oils of equal proven quality. You can find this in a dark green thick glass bottle sold online and at some supermarkets.
10. Colavita EVOO is one of the most respected brands with over four generations of history. Colavita's 'Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil’ maintains the NAOOA certification. Its cold-pressed olives offer a fruity, bitter, and slightly spicy flavor taste
From the Apulia Italy region. It is sold online and at Walmart.
11. Traitor Joe's: 100% Greek Kalamata EVOO is sourced from Italy, Greece, and Spain. It has a fruity flavor and contains a certification from the PDO (protected designation of origin).
12. Costco members rejoice as Kirkland's signature organic 2L EVOO is the real deal and budget-friendly. It carries the certification from Bureau Veritas and has been confirmed to be 100% Italian. Although it is sold in a plastic bottle, it makes it a great option for cooking.
Fun fact: there is a myth out there saying you should not cook with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. That is false, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil has a 400° Fahrenheit smoke point and is safe to cook with and encouraged.
When cooking, use a less expensive or bulk extra virgin oil and save your higher-end bottles for dipping, drinking, and dressings as they will provide a better taste and authentic experience.
Please keep in mind that only 12 were listed. There are many more on the market that is true 100% pure EVOO and certified as well, but with so many options out on the market for olive oil, have peace of mind that the 12 listed are the real deal and offer the advantages your body can benefit from.
Leave a comment below if you have one of these brands in your pantry. Or do you have a go-to brand that wasn't listed? Let me know.
This concludes Hooser Health's Olive Oil series.
