Are you looking for the best olive oil in the supermarket? It’s quite a challenge with all the different brands, types of olive oil, and what’s hidden on the labels. We understand that when you’re standing in front of the shelf, you might be overwhelmed. That’s why we want to lend a helping hand. Let’s go through the process of choosing the best supermarket olive oil!
Choosing the Best Olive Oil in the Supermarket?
It’s actually quite simple and all about asking the right questions. We’ve written a detailed step-by-step guide on buying olive oil that we summarize below. This way, you’ll know exactly what to consider when making your choice!
Step 1 – Which Type of Olive Oil?
There are different types of olive oil. For simplicity, we’ll focus on the two most relevant options.
Option 1 – (organic) extra virgin olive oil. This olive oil has a free acidity of no more than 0.8%. The median score on the 12 olive oil defects must be zero, and the median score for fruitiness must be above zero. This results in a rich flavor and an olive oil that retains all its natural vitamins and minerals. In short: the highest quality olive oil. Want to know more about extra virgin olive oil?
Option 2 – pomace olive oil. Our pomace olive oil is naturally made from the pulp left after pressing our extra virgin olive oil. It’s a 100% pure and natural product, ensuring that no part of the original olive is wasted! Want to know about the flavor? Our pomace olive oil is available at Albert Heijn. Curious if pomace olive oil is healthy?
Step 2 – What Will You Use the Olive Oil For?
If you’re looking for olive oil that retains the most flavor and the most healthy nutrients, then organic extra virgin olive oil is your best bet. This olive oil can be used both cold and warm, as it can withstand temperatures up to 207°C. A great addition to all your dishes!
Are you more focused on your budget and prefer a more neutral flavor that doesn’t influence your dish as much? Then pomace olive oil is the way to go. It’s perfect for frying and sautéing, as it can be heated up to 260°C.
Step 3 – Where Does the Olive Oil Come From?
It’s important that the producer is transparent and explains exactly how the olive oil is made and ends up on your table or in your kitchen. At Gkazas, we’re very passionate about communicating as clearly and transparently as possible through our online channels. We share our story, values, and production methods, for example, in our online magazine and on our Instagram page.
Step 4 – Nature & Environment
This is an extension of the trust you place in the brand. A brand that produces fairly and transparently will also consider the environment. An organic olive oil with an official certification helps here, as it ensures no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used.
Step 5 – Fair Price
This isn’t an easy question to answer, but it’s well-supported: an olive oil that costs just a few euros cannot be of the highest quality. Producing olive oil with so much care and attention comes with a higher price tag. Take a look around first, and you’ll see that you can’t find extra virgin olive oil meeting the above criteria for less than €15 per liter.
Step 6 – Tin or Bottle?
Now, you still need to decide between a bottle or a tin. Why? The main factors influencing the shelf life of olive oil are light, air, and heat. Certified tins and dark glass bottles are the best ways to store olive oil. The question then is whether to go for an olive oil bottle or an olive oil tin. It’s all a matter of preference…
Now you’ve got the six steps to help you choose the best olive oil at the supermarket!
Which Olive Oil is the Best in the Supermarket?
By the way, don’t forget we’re talking about different types of supermarkets. You’ve got the big chain stores, of course, but also plenty of organic supermarkets. The two main organic chains are Odin and Ekoplaza. You can find our organic extra virgin olive oil in their shelves.
It’s not really for us to say which olive oil is the best in the supermarket. It’s also partly a matter of taste, as olive oil from Greece tastes different than Italian or Spanish olive oil. Which country has the best olive oil can help here.
Based on the steps above, you can now make an informed choice. Look at your budget, then consider your options, and you’ll surely find a good olive oil. Still unsure? Contact us, we’re happy to help. Best olive oil supermarket, we’ll get there!
What is the Best Olive Oil from Albert Heijn?
Did you know that Gkazas Olive Oil is available at Albert Heijn? We have two different types of olive oil in their shelves: our conventional extra virgin olive oil and our pomace olive oil. What is the best olive oil from Albert Heijn? We’d say it’s definitely ours. However, we would recommend looking closely at the labels of the options on the shelves. Make sure the olive oil is labeled “extra virgin” or “pomace” and that it’s produced as naturally as possible by a brand you trust.
Of course, the taste and purity will vary with each brand. Our tip: taste and compare, because true flavor differences are best discovered in the kitchen. Did you know you can try Gkazas Olive Oil for free? Request a 50ml tin, you just pay a small part of the shipping costs! This way, you can experience for yourself if our olive oil is the best at the supermarket.
How Can You Tell If It’s Really Olive Oil?
A question we often get is “How can you tell if it’s really olive oil?” As mentioned, we’re focusing on two choices, extra virgin olive oil and pomace olive oil. For us, (virgin) olive oil has too many defects in flavor, and you can taste that.
Extra virgin olive oil is “real” because it must meet strict criteria. It must be first cold-pressed only, with an acidity level of less than 0.8%. How do you recognize it? Here are 3 simple tips:
- See, smell, taste! A good Greek olive oil has a grassy initial taste, a peppery finish, and a creamy aftertaste.
- The production process. When you buy from a trustworthy brand that produces olive oil with passion, love, and innovation, you can usually count on its quality!
- Check the label. Does it clearly state the expiry date, and is it from the most recent harvest? That’s a sign that the olive oil will last the longest (read more about storing olive oil here). You should also find other important info, or it should be there. Where does the olive oil come from? Is it single origin? Is it 100% natural and not mixed with other oils? First pressed and cold-pressed? Check, check, check? You’ve got genuine extra virgin olive oil!
Pomace olive oil is “real” for us when it’s produced naturally and transparently. Some pomace olive oils are made using hexane, a chemical solvent, which you don’t want in your food! Ours is made 100% naturally. You can learn more about how pomace olive oil is made, and the 3 tips above are also useful.
Is Albert Heijn Olive Oil ‘Real’?
As explained above, supermarket olive oil can be real. So, Albert Heijn’s olive oil is real olive oil. Just like with other brands, we’d recommend the extra virgin variant. It’s higher quality than regular olive oil and must meet certain criteria to bear that name. It can only be pressed once and must be cold-pressed. It also has an acidity level of less than 0.8% and cannot have any detectable defects.
Best Olive Oil Supermarket 2024: Our Advice
Which olive oil is the best at the supermarket? Our experience shows that quality (produced in the most innovative and best way) and an honest story make the difference. To wrap up, we’d love to share this interview with our founder Floris. In it, he explains what makes the best olive oil. It’s full of valuable tips for everyone who cares about good olive oil.
