Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
With Cobram Estate
  1. Home
  2. Food

How to identify a good extra virgin olive oil

There's some simple things to look out for! - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 26 May 2017
How to identify a good extra virgin olive oil
Andre Martin

This liquid gold is found in pantries across the world, especially in the Mediterranean. And thanks to the incredibly high quality of Australian grown and pressed extra virgin olive oil, we’re dipping and drizzling with gusto.

Here’s the best bit – it’s brilliant for cooking too! Gotta love a pantry staple that tastes delish, provides incredible nutritional benefits and is affordable.

But how do you choose the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil? We've got you covered!

Smell it!

It should have a fresh aroma, not nutty or like a fish and chip shop.

Taste it!

It should be fresh, clean and reminiscent of grass, green banana or green tomato. It shouldn’t leave your mouth with an oily feel. And those pungent peppery flavours you can taste at the back of your throat? Embrace them! They’re the fabulous antioxidants that have been found to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes as well as inflammation and high cholesterol levels.

Did you know...

  • Australian extra virgin olive oil is an excellent choice for cooking, as well as enjoying over salads. You can safely heat it to 210°C (which is hotter than most cookery methods ever require).
  • Extra virgin olive oil is a fat, yes. But it’s a good fat, high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
  • Aussie extra virgin olive oil is essentially freshly squeezed olive juice, produced without use of high temps or chemicals that destroy nutritious antioxidants.
  • To ensure freshness, store your olive oil away from sunlight in the dark bottle it comes in (don’t decant). Consume within 4 weeks of opening.

Which oil for what use?

ROBUST flavour intensity is pungent in taste with strong notes of green grass. It’s the best choice when you are cooking red meats or for dipping bread into.

CLASSIC flavour intensity is a moderately flavoured oil, fresh and vibrant, making it a good all-rounder. It’s great for all cooking types, especially chicken, vegetables and pasta, as well as other uses.

LIGHT flavour intensity is far more delicate and not overpowering. Use it for stir‑fries, fish, eggs, dressings and cakes.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Paperbark roasted whiting with river mint and sweet coastal salad

Paperbark roasted whiting with river mint and sweet coastal salad

Cinnamon myrtle dumplings with turmeric and sea persimmon filling

Cinnamon myrtle dumplings with turmeric and sea persimmon filling

Mushroom burger with green goddess butter

Mushroom burger with green goddess butter

4 ingredient Biscoff chocolates with Caramilk drizzle

4 ingredient Biscoff chocolates with Caramilk drizzle

{headline}

{headline}

Cottage pie

Cottage pie

Curried cauliflower and chickpea soup

Curried cauliflower and chickpea soup

Lemon slice

Lemon slice

{headline}

{headline}

20 vegetarian dinner recipes everyone will love

20 vegetarian dinner recipes everyone will love

Japanese-style curry with beef and daikon

Japanese-style curry with beef and daikon

Vegetable and lentil curry

Vegetable and lentil curry

The best beef stew recipe

The best beef stew recipe

Roast vegetable salad with curry dressing

Roast vegetable salad with curry dressing

Slow cooker bolognese

Slow cooker bolognese

Best spaghetti bolognese

Best spaghetti bolognese

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription