Ranking of the best olive oils for 2020

For the inhabitants of Russia, the use of olive oil is a new process, few have yet figured out its useful properties. It is used not only for food, but also for cosmetic purposes (hair and face). Therefore, when choosing a product, it is important to understand the quality criteria and properties of a particular type of oil. In the article, we will consider the oils that are optimal for the price, depending on the variety of olives and the method of production, new items and popular models on the market, as well as recommendations for choosing.

Description

Olive vegetable oil contains many beneficial trace elements and vitamins, so it is becoming more in demand in the world. Its functionality is quite extensive, and its scope is growing every day. The beneficial properties of this product have long been known both in dietetics and in cosmetology. Even at home, the features of this product will benefit the body.

The oil is produced from the fruit of the olive, the taste and aroma depend on the olive tree variety. The most valuable varieties are found in Italy, Spain and Greece.

Production

First cold press. Highest production class. It is obtained using the work of granite millstones and a hydraulic press. Moreover, the temperature should be at least 27 degrees.
Cold pressed. It is produced according to modern technologies, through filtration (percolation) and centrifugation, the temperature must also be at least 27 degrees.

Benefit and harm

The benefits of using such a product are obvious, but you can harm your body if you buy low quality products without a certificate. It can have dangerous properties and negatively affect the human body. The quality of the oil will depend on the specifics of its production and on the honesty of the producers.

Top manufacturers

1. Spain. The largest manufacturer worldwide. High yield makes it possible to ensure European quality at low cost.
2. Greece. Most of the production of olive oils is established on the island of Crete and the Peloponnese. Produced from the Kalamata variety, bottles are often labeled as well. In most cases, they use old technology with the function of manual labor.
3. Italy. Olives are grown throughout the country, but the main regions are Sicily and Apulia. Various varieties are used in their production, so the taste and aroma range from sweet to bitter.

Kinds

• Extra Virgin. Highest grade of oil. Olives are selected only of the highest quality and best varieties.The fat content of the variety also matters. Passes the most stringent quality control, the acidity level should be below 0.8%.
• Olive Oil. Second grade of pressing. If the first Extra Virgin grade does not meet quality standards, then it is sent for revision. It is blended with a high quality oil to give it a specific flavor and aroma to form an Olive Oil. The acidity of this species is 2%.
• ‌Ordinary‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌olive‌ ‌oil‌. Acidity 3.3%.
• Refined‌. Chemical processes are used for cleaning. After grinding, the fruits are poured with hexane; oil is released during the interaction. Residual solvent and removed with water and alkalis.
• Pomace‌. Second extraction oil. It is a mixture of refined and unrefined (first grade).

Selection criteria (how to choose quality)

What to look for in order to avoid mistakes when choosing:

1. Taste. Natural oil has a rather specific rich, intense taste, has bitter-sweet notes. Avoid purchasing and using a product if it has a vinegar odor, rancidity, or a metallic taste.
2. Shelf life. The less time has passed since the date of bottling, the better. Do not take such a product in reserve.
3. Sediment. When the oil cools, large flakes may appear at the bottom, which indicates the high quality of the oil. When the bottle is heated, the flakes will disappear.
4. Packaging. The best quality is glass and tin containers. Plastic bottles can be harmful to health, as the oil has the ability to break down the top layer of polyethylene, and it can get into food.
5. Manufacturer. There are 3 most reliable and proven manufacturers - Greece, Italy and Spain. In Greece, they use proven old production methods, so the oil is more natural and of better quality.
6. Marking‌ PDO‌. This marking indicates that the production process takes place in the places where olive trees grow.
7. Price. Even inexpensive (budget) models are of good quality. Therefore, overpaying for a brand is not always rational. The price is mainly influenced by the popularity of models and brand promotions.
   ‌

Rating‌ ‌quality‌olive‌ ‌oils‌ ‌

‌The TOP rating includes the types of oil that are the best in the opinion of buyers. Also, the selection was based on material, description, review and consumer reviews. For the rating, the highest quality suppliers were selected, these are Italy, Spain and Greece. Oil of Turkish, Tunisian and Russian origin was not included.
‌

‌Italian‌ ‌

Filippo‌ ‌Berio.‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌

Unrefined oil, cold, first pressing. The products of this brand comply with the quality standard of European production. The optimum acidity level. Average‌ ‌price: ‌ ‌221‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• low‌ ‌level‌ ‌ acidity; ‌ ‌
• reliable, ‌ ‌ verified‌ ‌brand‌ ‌

• not‌ ‌suitable‌ ‌for‌ ‌frying‌ ‌ (immediately‌ ‌loses‌ ‌ own‌ flavor) .‌ ‌

Specifications	Indicators
Quantity (ml)	500
Expiration date (months)	20
Container	Glass
Acidity	0.3

‌‌Alce‌ ‌Nero, ‌ ‌750‌ ‌ml‌ ‌

Unrefined, unfiltered oil, first cold pressed. It has a rich taste with a slight bitterness. Price: ‌ ‌1999‌ ‌руб. ‌

• spinning ‌directly‌ in ‌place of assembly‌;
• does not contain preservatives or additives.

‌

• cost.

‌

Specifications	Indicators
Processing method	unrefined
Quantity (ml)	750
Container	glass
Acidity	0.8

‌

Olive oil ‌with basil, ‌ ‌250‌ ‌ml Bioitalia‌ ‌

Organic product from Italy. The company has been on the market since 1994. Unrefined oil, first cold pressed. Suitable for dressing salads, pizza, mozzarella. Cost: ‌ ‌610‌ ‌rub. ‌

• safe product;
• high quality.

• small volume;
• tastes like basil (specific taste).

‌‌

Indicators	Value
Composition	olive, ‌ ‌ herbs‌ ‌ (basil) ‌ ‌
Quantity (ml)	General
Container	glass

‌

‌De‌ ‌Cecco, ‌ ‌Classico‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌

Unrefined, first, cold pressed. Made in Italy. The shelf life is 18 months. Price: ‌ ‌319‌ ‌руб. ‌

• classic taste, no impurities;
• natural composition;
• proven manufacturer.

• not found.

Indicators	Value
Treatment	unrefined
Damp pressed	Yes
Container	glass

‌

Oil Мас olive ‌ with orange, ‌ Bioitalia‌

The aroma of oranges favorably complements the taste and gives a special smell. Suitable for dressing salads, meat and fish, as well as for making desserts. Price: ‌ ‌600‌ ‌руб.‌

• long shelf life;
• organic product.

• ‌ specificity of taste.

Indicators	Value
Composition	oil‌ olive‌ ‌ (67%), ‌ ‌pasta‌ ‌from‌ ‌fresh‌ ‌oranges‌ ‌ (33%) ‌ ‌
Container	glass
Volume (ml)	250
Expiration date (months)	36

‌Cirio‌, ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌Classico

Unrefined, first, cold pressed. Cost: ‌ ‌400‌ ‌rub. ‌

• natural composition;
• high quality product.

• small bottle volume.

Indicators	Value
Spinning	first, cold
Container	glass
Volume (ml)	250
Damp pressed	Yes

‌

Il‌ ‌Casolare, ‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌Riserva‌ ‌

The raw materials for making butter are collected by hand. Suitable for both dressing salads and for making sauces, for frying and grilling. Cost: ‌ ‌945‌ ‌rub. ‌

• high quality products;
• no preservatives or additives.

• cost.

Indicators	Value
Spinning	first, cold
Container	glass
Volume (ml)	500
Expiration date (months)	24

Farchioni‌, ‌Delicato‌ ‌

Refined with the addition of unrefined. The shelf life is 2 years. Price: ‌ ‌301‌ ‌руб.‌

• high quality raw materials;
• optimal price-quality ratio.

• ‌Refined (after filtration, some useful properties are lost).

Indicators	Value
Composition	refined‌ ‌with‌‌ adding‌ unrefined‌
Container	glass
Volume (ml)	500
Expiration date (months)	24

Spanish‌

‌Canoliva, ‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌

Unrefined product. Suitable for cooking dishes with heat treatment, and for dressing salads. Price: ‌ ‌780 ‌rub. ‌

• high quality;
• large bottle volume.

• not found.

Indicators	Value
Spinning	first, cold
Container	glass
Volume (ml)	1000
Damp pressed	Yes

‌

Maestro‌ ‌De‌ ‌Oliva, ‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌

Top quality product, unrefined. No additives or impurities. Suitable for any dish. Price: ‌ ‌273‌ ‌руб. ‌

• product quality;
• cost.

• inaccessibility (not sold in all stores).

Indicators	Value
Spinning	first, cold
Container	glass
Volume (ml)	500
Damp pressed	Yes

La‌ ‌Casa, ‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌

The acidity of this species is 0.7. Suitable for proper nutrition, saturates the body with vitamins. Spanish production. Price: ‌ ‌430 ‌руб. ‌

• optimal acidity;
• classic taste.

• not found.

‌

Indicators	Value
Spinning	first, cold
Container	glass jar
Volume (ml)	750
Acidity	0.7

‌Iberica‌ ‌

The product of the first, cold pressing. Bottle volume 250 ml. Refined. Cost: ‌ ‌235‌ ‌rub. ‌

• optimal price-quality ratio;
• no preservatives or additives.

• after refining, some useful properties of the product are lost.

Indicators	Value
Composition	‌Refined‌ ‌ (80‌ ‌%), ‌ ‌unrefined‌ ‌ (20‌ ‌%) ‌
Container	glass jar
Volume (ml)	250

‌Pons, ‌ ‌250‌ ‌ml‌ ‌

It is made from organic olives and has a mild taste. Refined. Average‌ ‌price: ‌ ‌229‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• has no smell;
• high quality raw materials.

• refined.

Indicators	Value
Damp pressed	Yes
Container	glass jar
Volume (ml)	250

Borges, ‌ ‌Original‌ ‌

Unrefined, cold pressed. It thickens at a temperature of +6 degrees. Shelf life: 2 years. It is a dietary product. Cost: ‌ ‌990‌ ‌rub‌.

• does not have impurities and foreign aromas;
• proven manufacturer;
• optimal acidity level.

• not found.

Specifications	Indicators
Acidity	0.26
Container	can
Volume (ml)	500

‌

ColavitA, ‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌100% ‌ ‌Spanish‌ ‌

The ColavitA brand has established itself as a reliable and high-quality manufacturer of products. Unrefined, first, cold pressed. Cost: ‌ ‌547‌ ‌rub‌

• cost;
• high quality raw materials;
• the highest class of processing.

• not found

Specifications	Indicators
Energy value per 100 g (kcal)	900
Container	Glass bottle
Volume (ml)	500

‌Greek ‌

‌

Glafkos‌

The product is cold, first pressed. Produced from Koroneiki olives, mechanically. The metal packaging reliably retains all useful properties for the entire shelf life. Price: ‌ 519‌ ‌rub. ‌

• can;
• high quality raw materials.

• large volume.

Specifications	Indicators
Treatment	unrefined
Container	can
Volume (ml)	1000
Expiration date (months)	18

‌

‌KURTES, ‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌

It is a dietary product, has many nutrients and vitamins. Greek production. Cost: ‌ ‌450‌ ‌rub. ‌

• optimal acidity;
• rich, classic aroma.

• low availability in chain stores.

Specifications	Indicators
Acidity	0.3
Treatment	unrefined
Container	can
Volume (ml)	100
Expiration date (months)	24

‌Sitia‌, ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin

Has a fruity-peppery aroma. Has the label “Protected Region of Origin”. Has an award: a gold medal from the New York Olive Oil Competition 2016. Cost: ‌ ‌480‌ ‌rub. ‌

• recognizable brand;
• high quality;
• optimal acidity.

• not found.

‌

Specifications	Indicators
Acidity	0.3
Treatment	unrefined
Container	can
Volume (ml)	250
Expiration date (months)	21

‌BioGourmet, ‌ ‌Koronias‌ ‌

‌The high quality of the product provides spinning immediately after harvest. Contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. One of the three best oils in Europe. Cost: ‌ ‌1919‌ ‌rub .‌

• does not contain preservatives or additives;
• rich taste.

• ‌ cost.

‌

Specifications	Indicators
Treatment	unrefined
Packaging	Glass bottle
Volume (ml)	500

‌CRETEL‌, ‌P.D.O.‌ ‌estate‌ ‌Messara‌ ‌

The product has optimal acidity, tin packaging ensures long-term preservation of the taste and smell of the product. Production is at the collection point. Cost: ‌ ‌524‌ ‌rub. ‌

• original product (no impurities);
• high quality production.

• large volume.

‌

Specifications	Indicators
Acidity	0.6
Packaging	can
Expiration date (months)	18
Volume (L)	3

Gaea‌, Authentic‌ ‌Greek‌ ‌

The company has been on the market since 1995. Their products are sold in 23 countries around the world. They have established themselves as a reliable and quality manufacturer. Their products meet all the required standards. Average‌ ‌ cost: ‌ ‌1910‌ ‌rub.‌

• the convenience of use;
• quality raw materials;
• innovative production technologies.

• ‌ ‌ cost.

Specifications	Indicators
Packaging	Glass bottle
Expiration date (months)	24
Volume (ml)	500

Hamalakis‌ ‌

It has a rich taste and aroma. It has low acidity and organoleptic characteristics. Made from Koroneiki‌ ‌or‌ ‌Psiloelia‌ varieties.The taste is bitter, with a pleasant aftertaste. Cost: ‌ ‌300‌ ‌rub. ‌

• production is located in places of collection of fruits;
• optimal acidity;
• quality assurance.

• intense bitter aftertaste (not everyone will like it).

Specifications	Indicators
Packaging	Glass bottle
Acidity	0.3
Volume (ml)	500
Smell	herbaceous

where can I buy

Consider tips on where to buy products. Two options: purchase from retail stores and hypermarkets, or order online from an online store. Both methods guarantee that the products meet quality certificates, but the price range may vary. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at how much a model costs on several sites, and then choosing the appropriate option. Buy branded oil at the promotion when discounts apply to it. Such a bargain will allow you to taste the oil and determine if the product tastes good. Which company is better to buy, also the choice is yours, based on your preferences and the scope of the product.