How to Shop for Olive Oil

• Posted on 11 August 2026
• Posted in Oil and Vinegar
• 0

Olive oil is a pantry staple for so many reasons. It’s an easy and tasty way to upgrade everyday meals and incorporate healthy fats into your diet. But there are so many olive oil options out there! Like, kind of an obscene amount. Brands, origins, flavors, sizes, etc. If you've ever found yourself standing googly-eyed in front of a grocery store shelf full of oils wondering which bottle to buy, you're not alone—we got you.  

At The Olive Bin, we believe everyone should feel comfortable shopping for olive oil, whether you're already familiar with different varieties or you're buying your very first bottle ever. Our biggest tip is to explore and figure out your own preferences, then shop based around those. 

This guide covers all the big things to keep in mind, like the type of oil, how fresh it is, and, most importantly, whether you actually enjoy the taste! If you're still seeking help on how to shop for olive oil, you can always visit your local purveyor and ask for assistance!  

Start here: What will you use olive oil for? 

Before you start comparing bottles, think about what you're actually going to do with the oil you’re shopping for.  

Are you looking for something you can cook with every day? Do you want an oil with an herby flavor profile for salad dressings and marinades? Or, maybe you want something with some spicy or citrusy notes because you love to cook Mexican and/or Asian dishes.  

If you already know you'll mostly use your olive oil for preparing a wide variety of dishes, start with finding an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) that you love. EVOO is the highest grade of olive oil; it’s extracted from olives without any chemical processing. You can use it for sautéing, roasting, drizzling, marinating, and incorporating into plenty of baking recipes. It’s a great one-stop shop kind of oil if that’s what you’re after.  

Now, if you're looking for something to amplify a specific dish or complement a type of cuisine you regularly make at home, you probably want to look for an oil with a more distinct flavor profile.  

A lot of our olive oil customers are seeking both versatility and specificity, which we think is the key to a balanced, well-stocked pantry. (It’s kind of like a closet. You want your basics you can wear with anything, and you want some statement pieces that show some personality.)  

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can narrow down your options according to more personal preferences and details, like flavor and freshness. 

Think about flavor and taste

You can find a wide range of flavors within the world of olive oil. Some are mild and smooth, while others are fruity, grassy, peppery, or more robust. (By robust, we mean a bolder, more intensely flavored oil with stronger peppery and sometimes slightly bitter notes.) 

If you have the chance, tasting at an olive oil shop is one of the easiest ways to figure out your preferences. Try a mild oil next to a more robust one, or compare a traditional extra virgin olive oil with a flavored option. You might discover that the oil you expected to love isn't your favorite, or you might find a new staple for your kitchen! 

Tasting in person is also a great time to ask questions. Tell us what you love to cook, what recipe you’re planning to make next, and what dishes your family enjoys most, and we'll be your olive oil flavor matchmaker! 

Check for freshness 

Olive oil is an agricultural product, so we often encourage people to consider freshness when shopping.  

Here’s how to do it: whenever possible, look for a harvest date on the bottle. The timing of the harvest can affect the flavor and characteristics of the finished oil. A "best-by" date can also be helpful, but it doesn't tell you when the olives themselves were harvested.  

You don't necessarily need to memorize the stages of olive maturity to shop for olive oil, but it is interesting to know that olives change as they ripen: 

• Less mature, green olives can produce oils with more bitter, grassy flavors 

• More mature olives can produce milder, more golden oils.  

Choose the right size

Bottle size is worth considering, too. Bigger bottles may seem like the better value, but that value is truly only there if you know you’re for sure going to get your use out of it. In general, a larger bottle makes sense if you're an everyday olive oil user. But, if you only use olive oil occasionally, or are experimenting with a new flavor, a smaller bottle probably makes the most sense.  

Again, think about how often you cook with olive oil and what you typically make. An everyday EVOO can handle a wide variety of recipes, while a flavored oil can give you another option when you want to add something specific.  

Storage tip! Once you get your olive oil home, give it a good spot in your pantry. Keep it tightly closed and away from direct sunlight and heat. That means the cabinet next to the stove might not be the best place, even if it's convenient. A cool, dark cabinet is a better choice for longevity.  

What you don't need to worry about 

There's a lot of olive oil info out there, and some of it can make shopping seem more complicated than it needs to be. Here are a few things you don't need to stress about: 

-You don't need to buy the most expensive bottle on the shelf. 

-You don't need to have a separate olive oil for every type of cooking. 

-You don't need to know whether you prefer fruity, grassy, or peppery oils before you walk into the store. 

-You don't need to judge an olive oil by its color alone; green doesn't automatically mean better, and golden doesn't mean lower quality. 

-You don't need to become an olive oil expert before you start shopping. 

Ready to find an olive oil you love? 

Ultimately, the olive oil collection you curate all comes down to you, your household, and your personal preferences. If you're still not sure which bottle(s) would be best, come visit us at The Olive Bin!  

Here you can taste any oils you’re interested in, tell us what you're planning on cooking, and chat with our team about what you like. We're always happy to help you compare options, or just talk food with you!  

You can also shop our selection online. No matter what, we’re here to help you find an olive oil that makes you genuinely excited to get into the kitchen. Happy shopping!