The quality of olive oil depends largely on a very specific factor. With our life hack you do everything right when buying olive oil.
Olive oil is not just olive oil. The quality of the popular edible oil depends on various criteria. In another article, we have summarized ten tips for you on how to recognize good olive oil.
In general, we recommend looking for organic quality when buying olive oil. You can be sure that the oil is not contaminated with chemical-synthetic pesticides. In addition, by consuming organic products, you support ecologically sustainable agriculture that treats the earth’s natural resources with care. The organic seals from Demeter, Bioland, and Naturland are particularly recommended, as they stipulate stricter criteria than the EU organic seal.
Additionally, you can recognize the quality of olive oil with the following simple method.
Olive Oil Lifehack: How to recognize good quality
This life hack is very simple: you can already tell from the packaging when you go shopping whether an olive oil is of high or inferior quality.
Simply note the following information:
Olive oil in a clear glass or plastic bottle is a no go. This has to do with the fact that vegetable oils are very sensitive to light, heat and air. These environmental influences very quickly trigger an oxidation process in the olive oil. The result: Rancid olive oil with drastically reduced levels of healthy nutrients such as antioxidants and polyphenols.
The quality of olive oil suffers even more in plastic bottles – whether they are dark or transparent. This is because the chemicals in the plastic, such as plasticizers, migrate into the oil over time. This not only changes its taste, but is also potentially harmful to health, according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
Olive oil in metal packaging should also be consumed with caution. According to consumer advice centers, metals can become detached here over time, migrate into the oil and impair its quality. In addition, metal packaging is often coated with the plastic bisphenol A, which can also be released into the oil and is even potentially harmful.
Olive Oil Lifehack: Conclusion
You should definitely avoid packaging made of plastic, metal or clear glass when buying olive oil.
According to a study, dark bottles made of green or amber glass are the most suitable containers for olive oil. If you then at least pay attention to the organic seal and the addition “extra virgin”, you can be pretty sure that the olive oil in your shopping basket is of good quality.
